Night Sisters by Sara Rath

Another Novel by the Wisconsin Author of Star Lake Saloon

Feb 11, 2009 Christine Eirschele

Wisconsin author, Sara Rath has written a second novel called Night Sisters. Rath's first book was Star Lake Saloon and Housekeeping Cottages.

Nell Grendon is trying to live a dignified middle-aged life in Madison, Wisconsin. She’s recovering from her second divorce, renovating a historical Frydeswyde Quimby house and just wants to live the writer’s life. But, still discovering just what that means. Haunted childhood memories and visits from a mischievous spirit, who calls herself Angella Wing, creep in causing a disheveled, sometimes dangerous, mess of Nell’s plan.

Author Sara Rath’s Night Sisters introduces readers to characters living in an ordinary college town, abet state capitol, in a lesser-known Midwest state. Quickly readers find themselves pulled into complex comings and goings. Even the little state tucked between the Mississippi River and a Great Lake becomes an unexpected character.

Nell Grendon's Spiritualism

Nell’s current writing assignment takes her to Wocanaga Spiritualist Camp for an interview with the medium, Grace Waverly. Grace soon becomes Nell’s respected mentor and warns of the coming dangers. It is Grace that teaches Nell to first ask, “May I come to you?”

The story is a journey of self-discovery about mediumship, spiritualism and ghostly apparitions. Nell learns about old friends, meets new ones while attempting to close an unpleasant chapter of her past.

Bizarre deaths do not stop Rath from injecting humor. Amid the telling of a classmate’s demise words from a hearse song fall, “Don’t laugh next time the hearse goes by, for you may be the next to die. The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out, the worms play pinochle on your snout. Your hair turns into sauerkraut.” Suggesting that only in a place like Wisconsin would the word sauerkraut fit comfortably in a childhood chant.

Wisconsin Cadence and Research

Although Rath’s novels are unconnected by story or characters, each book takes place in Wisconsin. The author is true to the local tone and idiosyncrasies of the area. For instance, the insertion of Madison’s well-known capitol market into the lifestyle of the characters lent authenticity to the scene.

The author’s notes indicate well-researched information. In Wisconsin, Rath visits several locations including the Wonewoc Spiritualist Camp and the Morris Pratt Institute.

About Author Sara Rath

Sara Rath is the author of four volumes of poetry and five nonfiction books, including the most recent The Complete Cow. Her first novel was Star Lake Saloon and Housekeeping Cottages. Rath makes her home in Spring Green, Wisconsin, with her husband Del Lamont, family dog Sadie and two cats.

Rath, Sara. Night Sisters. Terrace Books/University of Wisconsin Press, October 7, 2008.

ISBN 978-0-299-22870-5

The copyright of the article Night Sisters by Sara Rath in American Fiction is owned by Christine Eirschele. Permission to republish Night Sisters by Sara Rath in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Wisconsin Author Sara Rath, University of Wisconsin Press Wisconsin Author Sara Rath
A Novel Night Sisters by Sara Rath, University of Wisconsin Press A Novel Night Sisters by Sara Rath
Trade Imprint Terrace Books, University of Wisconsin Press Trade Imprint Terrace Books
What do you think about this article?
NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.
post your comment
What is 2+8?