In August of 1971 a little girl writes a letter to her unborn
sister. "It's like you are here," she writes with love, "only
you're invisible." In this letter Olivia Hunt welcomes Madeline to
her life.

Even though times and technology have changed, Olivia Hunt, now a
busy movie executive, still finds time to write good old-fashioned
letters. In fact, it is in these letters that the busy and often
emotional and physically distant Olivia maintains her relationships
and communicates her feelings. When Madeline is diagnosed with
cancer, Olivia's letters show her struggling with her feelings for
her family and trying to take care of her sister, while attempting
to get an ambitious movie made and trying to understand why her
long term relationship has ended. In letters to her sister,
parents, best friend, ex-boyfriend and co-workers, Olivia tries to
manage a life and career, both of which seem to be spinning out of
control.

The central story in Elisabeth Robinson's debut novel THE TRUE AND
OUTSTANDING ADVENTURES OF THE HUNT SISTERS is that of Olivia and
Madeline. Though the sisters are very different, Madeline's illness
causes Olivia to reassess their relationship. Madeline has always
been critical of her older sister and ready with unwanted advice.
But her cancer changes everything. Olivia remembers the stories she
created for them when they were little; these memories and her
sister's strength ground Olivia even as Madeline's health and her
movie project prospects seem to worsen.

Besides flying home to be by Madeline's bedside, Olivia is flying
between Los Angeles and Spain trying to get her movie, a version of
Don Quixote, made. Often the most lighthearted of the subplots,
Olivia's challenge here is to successfully produce her movie
without compromising her vision. Hollywood politics make her task
difficult, but she finds inspiration in Madeline.

Meanwhile, Olivia sends a series of letters to her ex, Michael, an
artist who has moved to rural New Mexico. She opens her heart to
him in epistles, remembering what went right and what went wrong in
their relationship.

Throughout the novel Olivia is forced to prioritize the things in
her life. She must also come to terms with her complicated
relationships. Her time with Madeline may be limited, and Olivia
must discover and celebrate the love that they have for each other,
despite their differences and history.

Robinson's novel has the style and trappings of "chick lit" but
works hard to transcend the genre. Written completely in letter
form (and all the letters are from Olivia; we never have a chance
to read other points of view), it is difficult at times to get
close to the characters and understand their motivations. Even as
Olivia struggles to let go of some selfishness, Robinson allows her
to claim all the attention, silencing the other figures in the
book, for the most part. Still, Olivia is a sharp and witty
narrator, and her letters are often hilarious, poignant or
both.

Another difficulty with the novel is its reliance on and reference
to Don Quixote. The film version of Cervantes's tale is Olivia's
dream. Perhaps she identifies with the famous dreamer, but her
attachment to the story is not quite clear. She refers to sections
of the classic often in her letters, though readers unfamiliar with
the story may be somewhat at a loss.

Robinson shines, however, in capturing the conflicts and heartbreak
of a family dealing with a loved one's illness. Her characters feel
the most real, the most honest, here.

Overall, Robinson's novel is a promising debut, full of humor and
honesty. Olivia Hunt's story is one of relationships and
self-understanding --- and Robinson is brave enough to give the
reader both a happy and a sad ending.