Wayward Girls, Susan Wiggs (Review by Kristin Kurek)

Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs is a beautifully written, haunting read for those historical fiction lovers. The novel begins in the late sixties in Buffalo, New York. Marin, a 15-year-old girl is kicked out of her strict, Irish Catholic home by her mother and stepfather. She is sent to the Good Shepherd, a young women’s “reform school,” run by the Sisters of Charity where she is forced to work in a laundry. She edures unspeakable abuse at the hands of the nuns and staff. Meanwhile she forms friendships with the other girls at the institution each with their own horrific backstory. Together, they find meaning, inspiration, and hope. This novel is based on actual events which added to my horror while reading, but I also found the novel to be a poinent reminder of the power of friendship.

The narrative really shines in in the later chapters as the women grow and evolve despite their horrific childhood experiences. I loved discovering the ways in which each woman’s life was changed by the events at the Good Shepherd and how they worked to improve the lives of others. It was deeply satisfying to see the women fight back against the system that caused so much abuse and a society that did not (and still does not) believe victims.

Wayward Girls is thoroughly researched and well developed. The narritive is written from multiple points of view but was never jarring or confusing. The reader is granted deep insight into the thoughts and feelings of each character.

Wayward Girls is a wonderful study in historical events, the necessity of friendship, and the empowerment of women. The paperb