Kate and Mary are beautiful and bright girls. Raised by a free spirit mother and a strict pastor father they both harbored dreams that were encouraged by their mother. Kate wants to be a doctor and attend Stanford University, while Mary is a talented painter who has a knack for capturing the life in images.
After father passes away from a heart attack the girls have a lot of decisions to make. With little to live on other than father's pension, meager savings and the promise of a life insurance settlement there is a lot to plan in a short time. Caring for their mother, alive on life support, will become a priority. After school activities, like painting for Mary and future dreams, like attending Stanford for Kate are put on hold while they try to figure out every day life and where they should be living.
The two sisters are forced to grow up a lot in a short amount of time. Kate is forced to think selfishly, and Mary is forced to see love in a different way. Both girls have help from friends but it is each other they truly need. Kate has her steady boyfriend Simon, but she isn't sure that she loves him even with a proposal the promises of a secure life. Mary can not find the joy or light in painting anymore, even though she keeps trying. With help from the new pastor of their father's church and a mysterious boy at school, both girls start to see life a differently.
Don't judge this book by its cover, as author Francisco S. Stork does not shy away from controversial issues and big questions like faith and love. Irises is about more than two sisters and the boys that enter their lives, and while that is part of the plot religion, ethics and growing up are all in the mix. Fans of books like Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas will enjoy Irises.
I'll see you @ the library!
Katie (Now reading Where Things Come Back.)