Irises

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Author(s)

Francisco X. Stork

Publisher

Arthur A Levine Books

Genre(s)

Contemporary

Age Range

12+

Release Date

January 01, 2012

ISBN

054515135X

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TWO SISTERS: Kate is bound for Stanford and an M.D. -- if her family will let her go. Mary wants only to stay home and paint. When their loving but repressive father dies, they must figure out how to support themselves and their mother, who is in a permanent vegetative state, and how to get along in all their uneasy sisterhood.

THREE YOUNG MEN: Then three men sway their lives: Kate's boyfriend Simon offers to marry her, providing much-needed stability. Mary is drawn to Marcos, though she fears his violent past. And Andy tempts Kate with more than romance, recognizing her ambition because it matches his own.

ONE AGONIZING CHOICE: Kate and Mary each find new possibilities and darknesses in their sudden freedom. But it's Mama's life that might divide them for good -- the question of *if* she lives, and what's worth living for.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

From Missy's Reads & Reviews

March 12, 2012 (Updated: March 12, 2012)

Overall rating

4.0

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This is actually my first novel by Stork. I’ve heard many good things about his books and I must say, after reading Irises, I definitely understand why.

Kate and Mary are two sisters whose lives get spun around by the untimely death of their father. Not only do they have to deal with issues like most girls their age (school, future, etc), they also have a huge responsibility in the care of their mother who has been in a vegetative state for years. This is a huge burden on the girls, both financially and emotionally, and something that cannot be simply swept under the rug.

I have to commend Stork on his amazing writing in this book. Not only does it add a tone to the story that makes it easy to be hooked into the story, but it also gives each and every character (especially the sisters) their own unique voice. Each character is fleshed out incredibly well throughout the novel and there are no holes or questions when it comes to understand a certain character’s actions and/or motives.

I have to admit that this story is more heart-wrenching than I was led to believe by its synopsis. It deals with a heavy topic and has huge undertones of religion that cannot be ignored. If I have to say anything that I noted a little sub-par in this book, it would be the promised romance. It seemed a bit… lacking, but it was still there. Although a little slow to start, this story is a great read for Contemporary readers, as well as fans of Francisco X. Stork.