
The Singer Sisters
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Barrie Kreinik
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Helen Laser
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Stephanie Németh-Parker
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By:
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Sarah Seltzer
About this listen
This program features multicast narration.
Two generations of a folk-rock dynasty collide over art, love, longing, and family secrets in this captivating and poignant debut
It's 1996, and alt-rocker Emma Cantor is on tour, with her sights trained on a record deal. Emma’s got no lack of inspiration for her music — chiefly her mother Judie, a 1960s folk legend whose confessional songs made her an icon before her mysterious withdrawal from the public eye. Emma is baffled by Judie's coldness, and is deeply shaken when she learns a long-kept secret about their family. When Emma uncovers more about her mother's past, she is vaulted to new heights as a performer. But the knowledge she gains also propels her toward a musical betrayal that further fractures her relationship with Judie. Increasingly famous, but fragile and isolated, Emma grapples with her mother’s legacy and what it means for her own future.
With the richness of a beloved folk song, The Singer Sisters moves between ’60s folk clubs and ’90s music festivals, chronicling the ups and downs of stardom while asking what women artists must sacrifice for success.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.
©2024 Sarah Seltzer (P)2024 Macmillan AudioCritic reviews
"It's rare to find characters as richly rendered, a fictional world as expertly drawn, or a story as captivating. Like the best albums, The Singer Sisters is one you'll finish and immediately want to start over from the first track."—Diana Spechler, author of Who By Fire and Skinny
"Tearing through the pages of The Singer Sisters was like flipping through a friend's magnificent record collection and wanting to borrow every last one of them. Sarah Seltzer's sweeping and tenderly crafted novel is a quilted history of American music that reminds us that the past can sing, if we're listening."—Emily Schultz, author of The Blondes and Sleeping With Friends
"I devoured Sarah Seltzer’s debut novel The Singer Sisters as it swung between the 1960s folk scene and the 1990s alt rock scene. Seltzer spins a profound web, showing the complex intergenerational push and pull between mothers, daughters, sisters. Long kept secrets are revealed through songs and albums and mysterious strangers."—Bethany Ball, author of The Pessimists
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What listeners say about The Singer Sisters
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Miriam
- 10-31-24
Gorgeous Book- LOVED.
I absolutely fell in love with the Singer Sisters, and Sarah’s incredible writing. It was such a joy to listen to- catapulting me back to NY in the 90s, with so much color and depth. I did not want this beautiful story to end!!! Sarah’s storytelling is just perfect ✨
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- Nicki White
- 12-12-24
3.5 Stars
Hey, book lovers! So, I just wrapped up The Singer Sisters by Sarah Seltzer, and I’ve got some thoughts to share! 📚✨ This novel revolves around the complex lives of three sisters as they navigate family dynamics, secrets, and their own individual paths. It’s a heartfelt story that definitely explores some heavy themes, which I appreciated.
However, I did struggle a bit with the time shifts. The constant jumping between past and present, along with different points of view, made it a little confusing at times. I found myself wishing for smoother transitions because I wanted to stay fully engaged with the characters’ journeys without getting lost in the timeline. It’s like trying to piece together a puzzle, and while I love a good mystery, this one left me a bit tangled.
That said, Seltzer’s writing is beautiful and evocative, and there are moments that truly shine. I loved the exploration of sisterhood and how their relationships evolve over time. It’s definitely worth a read if you enjoy family dramas that dig deep into emotional territory!
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