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7 Notable Literary Sisters – A wonderful thing about having a sister is that they are an instant best friend. Together sisters can endure pain and heartache. But together they also celebrate the joys of life. Sisters are such an integral part of life. This is true in our world and the literary one. Celebrating sisters (and some of our favorite characters, too) here are 7 notable literary sisters.
Mary, Laura, Carrie, and Grace Ingalls
Many know this set of sisters from the television show, Little House on the Prairie. However, before viewers saw the real-life sisters on the screen, they were first read about in the “Little House” books. Laura Ingalls Wilder, the most famous of the four sisters, wrote the series. Published from 1932 to 1943, the books were an autobiographical account of growing up in the homestead era.
Meg, Jo, Beth, and May March
These four fictional sisters are found in the beloved classic, Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott. The author based these fictional characters on her life and that of her three sisters. Little Women follows the sisters from childhood to womanhood. Alcott originally published the book in two volumes in 1868 and 1869.
Emily, Charlotte, and Anne Bronte
These three real-life sisters are all famous writers. Emily Bronte wrote her only published novel, the classic Wuthering Heights in 1847. However, Charlotte and Ann were writers as well. They mostly wrote prose and poems. Emily and Ann also created a fictional world called Gondal, where many of Emily’s stories and poems take place. The three sisters originally published their works under male pseudonyms, Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.
Beatrice (Beezus) and Ramona Quimby
Beverly Cleary created the first Beezus and Ramona book in 1955. The sisters grew up in the same neighborhood as Henry Higgins, whom Cleary had previously created. The popular book evolved into the “Ramona” series that revolved around the life of nine-year-old Beezus and her four-year-old sister, Ramona. Cleary wrote the last book of the series in 1999.
Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield
Teens and Tween girls who grew up in the 1980s probably read at least one of the 181 books featuring teen twins, Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield. Francie Pascal created the Sweet Valley High Series with the first book of the series, Double Love, in 1983. The popular series lasted over a decade.
Jaclyn, Liane, and Nicola Moriarty
It’s impressive to have three best-selling authors in the same family. This is exactly the case with this trio of Australian sisters. Liane Moriarty is the best-selling author of The Husband’s Secret, published in 2013. One year later, she also wrote Big Little Lies. Liane’s sister, Jacyln, was the first to succeed at writing. She had published Feeling Sorry for Celia P in 2002. Not to be outdone, their younger sister, Nicola, has successfully written romance and fiction. Her books include Paper Chains and Those Other Women.
Elizabeth Gilbert and Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Most have heard of the book, Eat, Pray, Love. The iconic memoir, written by Elizabeth Gilbert, was written in 2006. Since then, the book has sold over 10 million copies. Elizabeth’s sister, Catherine, is also an accomplished writer. Catherine focuses on writing for children and teens. She is the author of the popular YA Dairy Queen series.
