Written & Illustrated by
Ramey N. Holsman
Brat of the Devil – A Handbook for Little Sisters is a journey through the intricate layers of sisterhood and friendship, grief and healing, racism in a small farming community and one woman’s lifelong mission to be the best bratty little sister the world has ever known.
In September 2021, Ramey Holsman lost her best friend of 30+ years suddenly and unexpectedly. Four months later she would experience the tragic and painful end of her older sister’s 34 year battle with diabetes. This compounded loss has taken her on a journey through a lifetime of memories – at times tragic and infuriating, uplifting and triumphant; often hilarious and irreverent, but always bratty.
In the final weeks of her sister’s life, Holsman traveled from the Long Beach Peninsula to hospitals in Portland, Oregon several times. To cope with the worry and sadness during these drives, she reminisced about their lives together – suddenly remembering a letter written by her sister at age 10, declaring that she was the “brat of the devil.” This sparked what would become a two-year ride on a powerful memory wave, originating in 1965 and flooding into 2023.
Holsman’s stories capture the simplicity of everyday country life in the 1960s and 70s, while finding endless ways to bother her sister. Together they dive into imaginary foxholes to hide from home-grown battles; endure racism and bullying; exact revenge, share friends, make music, fight, laugh, cry and share a mutual, all-encompassing love for their family. The author tromps through the 1990s Portland music scene with her BFF, divulges embarrassing trespasses against her sister and untangles the biggest damn knot you’ve ever seen.
Brat of the Devil shares tips, tools and suggestions for being a bratty little sister, while lessons are awarded “Brat Scout” badges for her often heroic feats of the absurd.
(It goes without saying that this is not a handbook for little sisters who are still children. Although the subject matter was experienced by children, the author’s commentary and language is better suited to adult readers.)
@2024 Ramey N. Holsman. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher.
* * * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ramey Holsman is a fighting Irish-Scots-Korean-American artist, writer, former newspaper publisher, entrepreneur and lifelong brat. She is O.G. PNW through and through with chanterelle do-si-dos, ferns up her nose and moss between her toes.
Brat of the Devil 
You must be logged in to post a comment.