Premium Content:

Bibliophile | Fiona Palmer finds family in Sisters and Brothers

Sisters and Brothers
by Fiona Palmer
Hachette

Historically, marriage has been about social and economic stability. It was all about conserving the patriarchal lineage so that wealth could be passed onto the male bloodline. Conservative values about women keeping themselves pure before marriage and not having sex outside the marriage were strictly imposed on women, at least before reliable contraceptives were available and still in some cultures. Somehow these restrictions didn’t apply to the males but before DNA testing could confirm a person’s lineage, many offspring were brought up by people who couldn’t claim parentage.

- Advertisement -

Now in his early seventies, Bill is having a few health problems. After the death of his wife, he relies on his only daughter Sarah as his health deteriorates. The narrative takes the reader back to Bill as a young man, living with his mother, tuning pianos, teaching piano and running the family music shop. The story also takes us back to times when, before marriage, sexual relations usually had to be clandestine, 18 year olds were disowned if they got pregnant, adoption was imposed on young mothers and infertile couples made suitable arrangements to secure a family.

As Bill recovers, we see into the hectic life of Bill’s daughter Sarah. With a job on the local council, two children, her position on the school board and a husband who is mainly absent, she now has to spend time with her ailing father. When Emma, a Rockingham nurse with three children and a FIFO husband realizes she doesn’t have the same blood group as her parents, she has to tell Sarah she has a sister.

But wait, there’s more. Florist Adam and his partner Shane are trying to foster a child and Adam, who was raised by his mother, wants to find his father. Michelle lives with her cat, her garden and her cake decorating business which hasn’t quite taken off. Adopted at birth, she too is keen to locate her birth parents. Driven by dialogue and action, five people from very different backgrounds are connected by secrets from the past.

Fiona Palmer grew up in and now lives on a farm in the tiny rural community of Pingaring, 350km east of Perth, with her two children. She had been a speedway driver for seven years but now spends her time writing fiction and had nine bestselling novels to her name. Her last book, Secrets Between Friends, was a top ten national bestseller.

Lezly Herbert

 After some new books? Head to the Book Depository

Latest

Police issue warning to vigilante groups saying they should not take the law into their own hands

The warning comes as a series of videos posted to social media show potential vigilante activity in Perth's suburbs.

Sussan Ley dumps Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from Liberals front bench

The Liberal leader's patience appeared to run out when Nampijinpa Price publicly refused to back her leadership.

Charlie Kirk has died after being shot at Utah university campus

His death was announced by US President Donald Trump.

MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk shot at college event in Utah

The conservative firebrand is reportedly in a critical condition after being shot in the neck.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Police issue warning to vigilante groups saying they should not take the law into their own hands

The warning comes as a series of videos posted to social media show potential vigilante activity in Perth's suburbs.

Sussan Ley dumps Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from Liberals front bench

The Liberal leader's patience appeared to run out when Nampijinpa Price publicly refused to back her leadership.

Charlie Kirk has died after being shot at Utah university campus

His death was announced by US President Donald Trump.

MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk shot at college event in Utah

The conservative firebrand is reportedly in a critical condition after being shot in the neck.

On This Gay Day | Remembering 911 hero Mark Bingham

Mark Bingham was one of nearly 3,000 people killed...

Police issue warning to vigilante groups saying they should not take the law into their own hands

The warning comes as a series of videos posted to social media show potential vigilante activity in Perth's suburbs.

Sussan Ley dumps Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from Liberals front bench

The Liberal leader's patience appeared to run out when Nampijinpa Price publicly refused to back her leadership.

Charlie Kirk has died after being shot at Utah university campus

His death was announced by US President Donald Trump.