Two Sisters by ludmilla Petrushevskaya
‘Cause we are sisters. We stand together. We make up one big family
Though we don’t look the same. – Cheetah Girls
Two sisters lived together in a two-room apartment. They were very poor. For lunch, they usually had a boiled potato; for breakfast, a slice of bread with a glass of hot water. They were very thin but very neat, and kept their home spotless. Every day they went out to look for cheap groceries—for them, it was a multiÂhour, breathtaking adventure. In addition, they visited their local library once a week to exchange books.
They also knit their own sweaters, socks, mittens, scarves, and berets. For yarn, they used moth-eaten woolens people left in the trash. On their walks, they occasionally picked up useful items—a wooden crate or a pile of old magazines with recipes and home remedies. With all these activities, their days were full to the brim.Â
Friedrich, Anna. “Two Sisters by Ludmilla Petrushevskaya, Translated by Anna Friedrich.” The Paris Review, 21 Apr. 2025, www.theparisreview.org/fiction/7286/two-sisters-ludmilla-petrushevskaya.
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why we loved it
First of all, Two Sisters by Ludmilla Petrushevskaya is wild, weird, and totally unforgettable—like that one cousin who shows up to family reunions in a sparkly jumpsuit and starts telling ghost stories. Right from the start, the story pulls you in with its dark humor and twisted family drama. Plus, the sisters’ relationship is so messy and real, you’ll be yelling at your headphones like, “Girl, why would you do that?!”
On top of that, the writing is sharp and surprising, like biting into a chocolate and finding out it’s filled with hot sauce (in a good way!). One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re gasping, and before you know it, you’re questioning all your life choices. The way Petrushevskaya mixes everyday life with absolute chaos is pure genius—it’s like if your diary entries suddenly turned into a thriller.
Finally, this story sticks with you long after it’s over, like that one pop song you can’t get out of your head (we’re looking at you, “Baby Shark”). Whether you’re into dark comedy, family feuds, or just really good storytelling, Two Sisters has it all. So grab your snacks, settle in, and prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions—no refunds if you get emotionally wrecked!