Sisters of Heart and Snow
The Snow family never was idyllic. Domineering Killian Snow brought Haruki, his obedient wife, to San Diego as a post-WWII mail order bride. Their oldest daughter seems bound for the Olympics until she is injured. With Rachel’s imperfection exposed Killian rejects her, and then ejects the 16-year-old from home for smoking pot.
Drew, four years younger, is a brilliant classical musician, but earns her father’s displeasure when she opts to play tambourine with her boyfriend’s rock band. They break up, and not long after, Drew’s part-time job folds. She seeks help, not from her father, but from Rachel, who has pulled her life together. Recently, Rachel was shocked to learn that her mother, disabled by dementia, had given Rachel power of attorney, not Killian. A legal battle looms – and an acid confrontation between father and daughters.
In a lucid moment, Haruki asks Drew to fetch a book from her sewing room. She says it is about Drew and Rachel, but can’t explain why. It is an ancient Japanese text about Tomoe Gozen, a female samurai. Tomoe is ferocious as any man, yet must submit to her stepbrother when given to him as a concubine, and quell her jealousy of his wife. What will Rachel and Drew discover in the lives of Tomoe and her sister-wife Yamabuki?
Margaret Dilloway’s Sisters of Heart and Snow is a terrific story of strength and generosity across the generations. Daughter, warrior, mother and artist, Rachel, Tomoe, Yamabuki and Drew discover strength in unity and love. Sisters is a beautifully written, heart-felt story, and highly recommended.
