[1] The novel recounts the tumultuous relationship of the Von Riesen sisters, Elfrieda and Yolandi, the only children of an intellectual, free-spirited family from a conservative Mennonite community.

[15] Reviewing for The New York Times, Curtis Sittenfeld said the novel's "intelligence, its honesty and, above all, its compassion provide a kind of existential balm—a comfort not unlike the sort you might find by opening a bottle of wine and having a long conversation with (yes, really) a true friend.

"[16] Margaret Atwood praised the novel, calling it a "high-wire act": "What do you do when your beloved and brilliant sister wants you to help her leave this world because she finds her existence too painful?

[27] Pauvres petits chagrins, the novel's French translation by Lori Saint-Martin and Paul Gagné, was a competing title in the 2019 edition of Le Combat des livres, where it was advocated by writer Deni Ellis Béchard.

The film, which was written, produced, and directed by Michael McGowan, stars Alison Pill, Sarah Gadon, Marin Almasi, Amybeth McNulty, Mare Winningham, Donal Logue, and Aly Mawji.