A Russian Sister

Aspiring painter Masha C. is blindly devoted to Antosha, her famous writer-brother. Through the years Antosha takes up with numerous women from Masha's circle of friends, yet none of these relationships threaten the siblings' close ties until the winter he falls into a depression. Then Masha invites into their Moscow home a young woman who teaches with herthe beautiful, vivacious and deeply vulnerable Lika Mizanova with the express hope she might help Antosha recover.

Lika's appearancesets off a convolution of unrequited love, jealousy and scandal that lasts for seven years.While Antosha and Lika push and pull, Masha falls in love herselfwith a man and with a mongooseonly to have her dreams crushed twice.From her own heartbreak Masha comes to recognize the harm that she has done to her friends by encouraging their involvement with Antosha, but it is too late for Lika, who will both sacrifice herself for love and be immortalized as the model for Nina in Chekhov'sThe Seagull.(FromPatrick Crean Editions)

Caroline Addersonis a novelistand children's book writer from Edmonton.Her books includeThe Sky is Falling,Ellen in Pieces,Norman, Speak!and the 1993 Governor General's Literary Award finalistBad Imaginings.She received the Marian Engel Award for mid-career achievement in 2006, and is a three-time winner of theCBC Literary Prizes.

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Interviews with Caroline Adderson

CBC Books18:00Caroline Adderson on The Next Chapter

Caroline Adderson on "Ellen in Pieces"

Other books by CarolineAdderson