Sis Rants!

This evening, my sister was on a rampage about the book "If We Were Villains" by M.L. Rio. She had read three-fourths of it in just a day, and her excitement quickly turned into a passionate rant. I’ve never seen her worked up over books before so this was new to me. She couldn’t stop talking about how James, her favorite character, ended up being the murderer of Richard. The betrayal she felt was palpable, and she kept going on about how it was so unfair, especially because Oliver took the blame and went to jail instead.

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It was fascinating to watch her get so emotionally invested in the characters. She was genuinely upset, not just mildly annoyed, and it made me realize how powerful a story can be when it deeply resonates with someone. Her disappointment in James was intense. She had clearly connected with him on a level that made his actions feel like a personal betrayal. Her ranting made me see how much she valued character integrity and how much it hurt her to see her favorite character fall from grace. 

What struck me the most was her reaction to Oliver’s sacrifice. She kept saying how tragic and noble it was, how it was unfair that Oliver had to suffer for something he didn’t do. She admired Oliver’s loyalty and sense of protection towards James, but she was also furious about the injustice of it all. The fact that Oliver ended up in jail for a crime he didn’t commit seemed to really bother her, adding a layer of moral complexity that she couldn’t stop analyzing.

Listening to her, I couldn’t help but get curious about the story myself. Her intense reaction made me wonder what exactly it was about these characters and their situations that had gotten under her skin. It was clear that the book had managed to create a deep emotional impact on her, something that only the best novels can do. 

Her rant was a mix of anger, frustration, and admiration. She was angry at James for his actions, frustrated by the unfairness of Oliver’s fate, but also admiring of Oliver’s selflessness. This mix of emotions showed how deeply she had engaged with the book. It was more than just a story for her; it was an experience that provoked a strong, visceral reaction.

What I personally like in this book is the characters' frequently quoting Shakespearean lines. Also my sister telling me the plot made me appreciate the power of storytelling and how it can draw us in so completely. Watching my sister go through this range of emotions was like seeing the impact of great literature in real time. It made me want to read the book myself, to understand what had moved her so deeply and to experience the story that had sparked such a passionate response which will definitely not happen as she won't lend me.