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henrygravesprince's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
In the interest of full disclosure, this review is specifically regarding an ALC copy of the audiobook from Net Galley, so while I imagine this audiobook was pretty close to finalized, some details may have been changed between my copy and the official release.
If you’re looking for historical fiction that’s grounded in reality with a focus on feminist issues, I might suggest this book. The strongest element at play is the effective, lingering development of the friendships between the girls at the maternity home. The weakest is the handling of point of view, which head hops for at least a couple paragraphs in just about every chapter. I think the book could have been improved by writing the entire thing in a less limited third person perspective to eliminate the noticable head hopping. I’m tentatively interested in checking out the author’s backlog and future works going forward.
This is a well-crafted, coherent narrative that sits with the reader and takes its time establishing its roots. The pacing was easy and lingering, taking its time to explore the relationships and emotions Lorraine finds herself mired in at the maternity home. It has a similar understated, effective slowness to the Divorcées by Rowan Beaird. The throughline of autonomy—and the lack of it—is clear and effective. It’s incredibly authentic and potent, committed to the accuracy of the story being told, which mirrors the reality many pregnant people experienced and, in some ways, still do.
The style is consistent and suitable, taking the complicated subject matter at play seriously without stumbling over issues if nuance. Shifts in point of view were occasionally somewhat random and difficult to follow, hence the above criticism of head hopping. Otherwise, the depth of perspective felt clear and appropriate; the consistency in point of view only needs some work. Meanwhile, you can tell the author took care to understand each character’s inner workings undergirding their behavior and dialogue. The girls at the maternity home feel incredibly real. Character dynamics are consistent, making Lorraine’s friendships easy to get invested in and the characters who mistreat her genuinely frustrating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Medical content
Moderate: Incest, Medical trauma, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Blood
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, and Infertility
Drowning; Coercion around adoptionrebeccathebookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Utterly heartbreaking, I can already tell this is going to be a book I think about for a long time. Lorraine is faced with an impossible choice when everyone she has trusted and loved her entire life fail her when she needs them most. We get to watch this protagonist rethink how she defines strength and finds promise in the future. A story filled with love, disappointment, and a resentment of the systems that perpetuate shame culture, The Girls We Sent Away will be a perfect read for anyone who loves historical fiction and complicated heroines.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Miscarriage, Blood, Medical trauma, and Abortion
Moderate: Body shaming and Death
Minor: Rape, Incest, Infertility, and Pedophilia
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