My Sister, the Serial Killer

This review can also be found on my blog.

I would argue this is probably the most “accessible” Women's Prize book I've read so far due to its readability. This was so easy to breeze through, in part because the pages in my copy were quite small, in part because of its length, and in part because it's such a page-turner. The narrator of this little novel is Korede, a young woman whose sister Ayoola is a serial killer. Korede is the responsible older sister and works as a nurse. Ayoola is the spoiled younger sibling who spends her time at home designing clothing or out being courted by men.

While Ayoola's purported innocence is explored somewhat, the focus of this book lies far more in the characters' various relationships as well as the malleability of our own morality. As we discover during the story's beginning, Korede has helped Ayoola cover up her crimes and deals with immense guilt for playing a part in the deaths of potentially innocent men. At the same time, she feels an intense responsibility to protect her sister, particularly due to their shared history which is slowly revealed as the story unravels.

I really loved Korede, and felt like she was an incredibly sympathetic character. She has grown up with a gorgeous younger sister who turns heads everywhere she goes, while she herself is not nearly as aesthetically gifted. She is responsible and works hard and seems to suffer for it, as she is not appreciated by her coworkers nor her own family. I became extremely invested in her story and found myself becoming frustrated and sad alongside her. Of course, Korede comes to a fork in the metaphorical road where she must decide how to proceed with her sister. Can she allow Ayoola to continue on as she has been, or will she finally find a way to intervene? There seems to be no easy answer and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen.

Overall, I found this to be quite an enjoyable read. I wouldn't summarize it as a traditional thriller or mystery, although that's what I've seen it shelved most often as. As I said above, it is more an exploration of interpersonal relationships and how these impact our morals. I'll definitely be recommending this one around, though, as I think it will interest a wide variety of readers. It's probably close to the top of my favorites list for Women's Prize books so far.