The Sisters of Glass Ferry

October 9, 2017
Richardson (Liar’s Bench) brings to life Glass Ferry, Ky., in this multigenerational tale about the bond between sisters, family secrets, fine bourbon, and the lingering price of loss. Flannery Butler grew up in rural 1950s Kentucky under the shadow of two kinds of secrets: the secret whiskey recipes her father entrusted to her, and darker secrets about her twin sister, Patsy, who disappeared the night of their 16th birthday. Two decades have passed since then, and the Butler family is tied to their traditions—from the burning pleasures of whiskey to the sweet strawberry cake that Flannery’s mother, Jean Butler, bakes yearly and sets on the window sill for her daughters’ birthday. When the pie Jean cooks on Patsy’s birthday in 1972 finally stirs up the truth behind her disappearance, Flannery must confront her past. Told in flashbacks spanning over two decades—from 1952 to 1972—the story is strongest when it focuses on the relationship between the sisters and how it slowly becomes colored by ominous portent. Elsewhere, Richardson’s writing feels stilted—particularly the dialogue, which unsuccessfully attempts to differentiate the characters and falls flat throughout. Despite this, Richardson’s bourbon-infused saga is rich with drama and family intrigue.

In rural Glass Ferry, Kentucky, bourbon is king, and family secrets are maintained--until bodies are found in the river. Narrator Marguerite Gavin provides a hint of Southern charm as she recounts the story of Flannery Butler, whose twin mysteriously disappeared when they were in high school. Flannery's teenage na�vet� and submission to the old-boy network eventually concedes to a middle-aged determination to face the truth. Gavin provides stereotypical voices for Flannery's traditional mother and her blustering, chauvinistic rival, now the sheriff who is responsible for identifying the newly discovered bodies. Gavin's more straightforward portrayal of Flannery, who is struggling to uncover the truth about her sister's disappearance, serves the story well. N.M.C. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine