The Lapone Sisters

By: Barry Wilker
Published by: Archway Publishing
Publication Date: June 26, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-6657-2343-5
Reviewed By: Kathy Stickles
Review Date: November 15, 2022

The Lapone Sisters, the debut novel from Barry Wilker, is the story of three sisters who are incredibly different and each is trying to make their way down their own path in life. As the reader, we get to follow these paths, and it is such a beautiful, witty, and enjoyable trip that we have been welcomed on.

Each of the sisters has their own life and their own problems. Schmellda (Shell) is the oldest of the sisters and has always had a problem with being a little too heavy and a little too set in her ways. We get to follow along as she walks a path to change her image and her future. Sorina is the middle sister who has gone through life as a very beautiful woman with a severe stutter that has made her very quiet and introverted. We get to watch Sorina walk a path of discovering herself and her dreams while overcoming this speech problem. Finally there is Esmeralda (Esme) who is the baby in the family. Esme is the outspoken sister who always says what she thinks and feels regardless of the outcome. We get to watch Esme as she gets ready to leave home and start a life of her own far away from her family. Throughout the story the reader is treated to each of the sisters going through their day-to-day lives and learning and growing from each moment that happens to them. Each of these three characters is incredibly unique and presented to the reader through the girls eyes and it is a wonderful learning experience for them and for us. They are each so full of dreams, humor, and hope and it is a delight to watch them grow and learn and change. In addition, there are so many things that these girls go through that I am, and I assume many others are, able to relate to that it makes it even more interesting.

The Lapone Sisters also gifts us with a number of amazing supporting characters from the parents of these wonderful girls, to their boyfriends, to a very amusing and downright obnoxious newspaper personality, plus other amazing relatives and friends. These people become such a big part of the story and it is a very welcome addition. Throughout The Lapone Sisters each character, some main and some supporting, learn to overcome the complications they have been given in their lives as they develop their own place in the world. Even with all of the different stories going on in the book it flows along effortlessly and we are able to enjoy each moment on its own and as a whole.

Mr. Wilker has written a wonderful book that is just the perfect one to have when you want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in other peoples' lives. He is obviously a very talented and inspired writer who has given us a fabulous debut novel and I hope that he continues on his own path and brings us more. This is a heart-warming story about normal lives and there are so many positive messages to be found in the words. I have to speak directly to the author now and say how very much I “enjoyed the ride” and I thank you for that.

Quill says: The Lapone Sisters is a wonderfully written novel about the lives of three sisters and their friends and family and I would recommend it to all. I think that it would be simply wonderful (hint, hint, hint to Mr. Wilker) if we were able to reconnect with these lovely women 15-20 years down the line and see where their lives have taken them.

For more information on The Lapone Sisters, please visit the book's website at: thelaponesisters.com