Under the same stars: A tale of sisterhood

Under the same stars is Alexandra Heminsley's first foray into fiction, after a successful career in Britain as a freelance journalist, broadcaster and editor. The author has previously written memoirs, including her journey from non-runner to marathon entrant, and the experience of her first husband's gender transition following the birth of their son.

Under the same stars | Published July 2022 | Read December 2023

Heminsley's fiction debut is the story of Clara's journey to meet her half-sister whom she only discovers exists after her father suddenly passes away. Clara was raised largely by a somewhat overbearing mother after her parents divorced, and the time Clara spent with her adored father growing up holds fond memories for her. Upon on his death Clara discovers that her father was married before he met her mother and that he has an estranged daughter, Maggie. Clara also learns that she has inherited a substantial sum of money that her father wishes her to use to find her half-sister, now living on a remote island off Norway.

On the surface, Clara's trek to the island is about establishing a relationship with her sister, dealing with the loss of her father, and processing the revelations about his past life. At a deeper level, it is about Clara's chance to free herself from an abusive relationship and find new meaning in life.

There's a lot to love about Under the same stars. I warmed to Clara from the get-go although I found her passivity and tolerance of her abusive boyfriend frustrating at times. I did enjoy Clara's journey of self-discovery as her attempts to connect with her half-sister are nicely written, evoking a strong sense of Clara's emotional growth and healing from her father's sudden death and from the aftermath of its revelations.

Clara's travels to the remote island are interesting to read about as they are so beautifully described, as is Clara's time spent on the island learning to engage with her sister and to survive in a rugged wilderness. I loved reading about Maggie's simple life on the island, free of technology and modern conveniences. The beauty of the island shines through in the second half of the novel, as does the dangers of living remotely.

What I didn't like was the lack of explanation until much later in the novel of why Maggie became estranged from her father. It is something of an anti-climax and the wait doesn't pay off, as there is less of a meaningful rationale for the estrangement than I was expecting (and hoping for). I also found Maggie's initial treatment of Clara quite cruel, especially given the reason for her estrangement from their father. The time the two sisters spent in each other's company without properly communicating is odd and not an easy read.

I also found the sudden change in Maggie's relationship with Clara disorienting, and again the reason for it lacked depth - even though the story's ending felt authentic enough. The basis of the story - exploring family dysfunction, self-discovery, and the impact of personal histories on identity in an interesting setting - is intriguing. However, Heminsley doesn't quite pull it all off, largely due to the lack of depth of the sisters' new-found connection.

The novels I read that leave me feeling empty are often those where there is an intriguing premise for the story that isn't well executed. This is how I feel about Under the same stars. The issues with the execution did not detract significantly from my reading journey, I just feel that the novel could be so much better.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐