Review: The Winter Sisters by Tim Westover

Most people know the fundamental bones of America’s past, but with thousands of hidden corners scattered across that massive nation, there are countless secret histories tucked away in unexpected places. In The Winter Sisters by Tim Westover, the strict edge of semi-modern medicine is met by the fierce roots of traditional healing in the hills of northern Georgia, a place of mysticism, old beliefs and stubborn minds.

This entrancing slice of early, and eerie, Americana begins as a classic story of two worlds colliding: the past and the future creating a nexus of human drama and progress. Centering on the arrival of Doctor Waycross to Lawrenceville, Georgia, at the behest of the mayor, who fears that fatal trouble may be brewing for the citizens, the main character is a fish out of water from the very start, lamenting his mud-stained pant cuffs and meager foodstuffs, but at his core, he is a healer and a good man, as well as something of a dandy.

Waycross brings his expertise and books and science, but quickly finds that traditions die hard down south, and his knowledge must compete with the Winter Sisters, the local healers who know every stem, flower, and seed. What their methods include, from herbal brews to magical stews, is largely unknown, remaining cloaked in the mystery of Appalachia.

There is much more to this story than an awkward city doctor’s trials and travails in the wilderness. The town is facing a crisis, one for which there is no cure. While the “big city” doctor and the backcountry witches start on opposite sides of the story, they must find common ground and allow some of their walls to fall if they want to save their small town from tragedy. Woven throughout the story is the whisper of philosophy and existential suspense, as well as discussions of faith, belief, and all that remains unknown. Even banal conversations in this book feel packed with meaning, in addition to being written with grace and style.

As is the case in great American literature, the landscape itself is a character, encouraging readers to find a deep chair and escape the sultry Georgia heat, shaded by ancient boughs richly depicted on every page. Couching inventive fiction within such a visceral frame of nature makes this book a deeply immersive read. Westover has a particular love for this part of the country, and his genuine affection for Georgia shines beautifully through the narrative.

That is perhaps the most notable thing about the writing: it is elegant and enveloping, capturing colloquial charm and syrupy drawls with ease. The dialogue is believable and vivid, but the narration also flashes with anachronisms, ways of speaking that have largely been abandoned for simplicity. The Winter Sisters is quite simply a pleasure to read; the characters are engaging and unique, the descriptions are intoxicating, and wisdom hangs heavy in each chapter.

Regardless of your personal beliefs regarding traditional healing or western medicine, this novel is a balm for the soul, or perhaps a mirror, reminding us that what truly matters is not who ends up being wrong or right, but rather how we treat one another along the way.