Sisters in Yellow

Hana is set up for failure. She needs money to survive and for peace of mind. But how exactly is she supposed to get an honest job and make an honest living? She has no support, no degree, no safety net around her, even her single mother is more of a financial liability. It’s no wonder then, that she takes every opportunity to work as much as she can and earn a living. Her entire youth is spent on work. She has no other interests and is only happy when she gets to earn money, even if she’s barely scraping by. Her entire life is ruled by the desperate need for money. That’s the kind of lot she’s been dealt, and she must make do. It soon becomes clear that it’s not greed that motivates her, but rather a desperate need for safety. But even when fortune strikes, it’s never quite enough; her desperation makes her engage in criminal activities. Hana feels extremely authentic. Her anxiety, her fear of an uncertain future, a future in abject poverty, is far too relatable for many of us. Her life is a sad one: a reminder that even if you work hard, you live within the limitations of an unfair system that will do everything in its power to bleed you dry. This is in every sense a melancholic, incredibly perceptive and heartbreaking novel that asks you to empathize and reflect on your privilege.