Contemporary Fiction
164 pages
www.sstephens.info
Rating: out of 5
When your head is torn between your sexuality and the expectations
your parents, where does that leave your heart? That is the struggle
starkly captured in S. Stephens’ debut novel, AM I MY SISTER'S
KEEPER? Stephens brings the protagonist Elise James to life, along
with her grueling inner struggle to both stay true to herself while
pleasing her family.
Elise has acknowledged her attraction to women since she was 15
years old. With that knowledge, she delved into the world of same
It plants a wedge between Elise and her parents, and ruins the relationship with her younger sister,
Lynn. It’s then Elise realizes the world does not accept her kind of love, and after a four-year respite
at a college far from home, she leaves women behind to live a “normal” life. She doesn’t want to put
her family through any more pain and yearns to be the daughter her parents could be proud of.
After settling at home in Miami, Elise begins dating Grayson, a high school classmate. They become
serious very quickly, and are engaged within weeks – to the pleasure of her parents, but to the
chagrin of her other “family” – best friends Carmen, Iran and Donna. They know Elise is simply fooling
herself being with Gray. In spite of disagreeing with her decision, the friends take Elise out to
celebrate, and that’s where Elise meets Symphony.
Symphony is the type of woman Elise has always desired – smart, sexy and self-confident. Despite
being engaged to Gray and, she begins seeing Symphony on the sly, carrying on a wicked tryst. Elise is
torn between the perfection of Symphony and the perfect life she has mapped out for herself with
Gray.
Meanwhile, baby sister Lynn is falling through the cracks. Lynn always looked to Elise, but because of
Elise couldn’t be true to herself, she fails Lynn. Their parents spent so much time trying to keep Elise
“straight” that Lynn acts out to receive any attention at all. When Lynn’s so far gone that the worse
happens, it takes the whole family by shock, but finally brings them together.
Am I My Sister’s Keeper is a heart-wrenching tale of a woman who sacrifices her heart and soul to
please her family. It takes her a while but Elise figures out that being herself, without qualms, takes
true courage. S. Stephens writes a true story with intensity and a great ring of truth. The plot is
carried out smoothly, to a climax that will keep the reader hanging on for dear life. Make room on your
bookshelf for Stephens as she is an author worth reading every single time.
Reviewed December 2005
