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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs is a compelling tale. The story goes from 1968 to the present day. The author captured the late 1960s when men were being drafted for the Vietnam War, Catholic schools were popular, nuns could do no wrong, communes popped up in the countryside, and unwed pregnant girls brought shame to their families. I thought the story was well written with realistic characters. I liked the main character, Mairin O’Hara who was spirited and determined. I felt for the girls and the horrible atrocities that they suffered. I was shocked that parents would stick their children in this “school” (a Magdalena laundry) and then never visit them. What the girls suffered was heartbreaking. The author did a terrific job at handling these traumatic topics. I like how the girls became friends and helped each other. We get to see how childhood/teenage experiences shape their future. I did feel that a smidgeon of the dialogue ventured over the line into cheesy while some felt a tad forced. I liked the movie and book references in the story. The ending was realistic. Wayward Girls is a fascinating narrative with a protective big brother, best friend with bad news, loads of laundry, a dark closet, a wild ride, a frantic call, and friends forever.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-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
I’m being pedantic but this was an almost 5 star, however I’ve decided on 4.75 stars. Mostly because of the pacing issue in the aftermath of certain things that happened
I loved this book. This is why we read fiction because it educates us.
I had previously learnt of reform schools but for boys and indigenous people. I also knew about the whole sketchy history around adoption for unwed mothers. However, with this book I learnt about the laundry child labour. It broke my heart immensely.
I find it very upsetting when Christians do not exhibit Christ like qualities. The fact that it was people associated with the church doling out these abuses does not surprise me but it is very disturbing. As a Christian, it is a known thing of how churches protect abusers of all kind. Things are changing slowly but surely , there are now opportunities and avenues to tell your story as a survivor. It is extremely difficult and challenges are still being faced.
As with everything in life, the abusers never got their comeuppance.
One thing I truly adored was the friendship between the wayward girls and Mairin’s friendship with Fiona. When I tell you friendships will save your life!!!
Mairin was such a force to be reckoned with. I’m glad that my faves got to escape. My heart did hurt for Kay.
You know who pissed me off? Mairin’s mother, Kevin and Bernadette. I just hate when people a passive. The girls might have forgiven them, I do not.
The romance between Mairin and Flynn made me so happy. Angela finding the love of a good woman after all she’s been through?!! Spectacular
I struggled with pacing after the girls escaped.
However this is a very difficult yet beautiful read. I’m glad to have read this.
I loved this book. This is why we read fiction because it educates us.
I had previously learnt of reform schools but for boys and indigenous people. I also knew about the whole sketchy history around adoption for unwed mothers. However, with this book I learnt about the laundry child labour. It broke my heart immensely.
I find it very upsetting when Christians do not exhibit Christ like qualities. The fact that it was people associated with the church doling out these abuses does not surprise me but it is very disturbing. As a Christian, it is a known thing of how churches protect abusers of all kind. Things are changing slowly but surely , there are now opportunities and avenues to tell your story as a survivor. It is extremely difficult and challenges are still being faced.
One thing I truly adored was the friendship between the wayward girls and Mairin’s friendship with Fiona. When I tell you friendships will save your life!!!
You know who pissed me off? Mairin’s mother, Kevin and Bernadette. I just hate when people a passive. The girls might have forgiven them, I do not.
The romance between Mairin and Flynn made me so happy. Angela finding the love of a good woman after all she’s been through?!! Spectacular
I struggled with pacing after the girls escaped.
However this is a very difficult yet beautiful read. I’m glad to have read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While this book does not come with explicit warnings it is important to note that this book covers heavy topics and sometimes is hard to read.
That being said this story is groundbreaking and heartbreaking at the same time. And it feels poignant and relevant to read given what is happening in 2025. The entire time I was reading this story about how the church, specifically the Catholic Church, viewed women; all I could think was we haven’t learned anything. And then I experienced the profound gratitude to know that I did grow up in a time in which women were less likely to be punished as these girls were in this book. It’s gut wrenching to read about what was normalized and accepted in the 1960-1970’s. The violence in which these women were mistreated was such a hard thing to read.
Susan Wiggs took care in her words and research of this topic. She explored something I was unfamiliar with and shared it with a compassion that shows how she viewed the people who she loosely based her book around. She gave the survivors in this story a voice in a way that many never have.
The book follows the story of 6 young girls sent to a reform school for girls. Each were in for their own perceived crime. But the true crime is what was happening inside the reform school. Each girl abused and shamed and mistreated in their own way. But these girls find a way to band together and not give up or give in. They find a way to find light in the darkness. The story explores PTSD and its long term effects on people in a thoughtful way.
That being said this story is groundbreaking and heartbreaking at the same time. And it feels poignant and relevant to read given what is happening in 2025. The entire time I was reading this story about how the church, specifically the Catholic Church, viewed women; all I could think was we haven’t learned anything. And then I experienced the profound gratitude to know that I did grow up in a time in which women were less likely to be punished as these girls were in this book. It’s gut wrenching to read about what was normalized and accepted in the 1960-1970’s. The violence in which these women were mistreated was such a hard thing to read.
Susan Wiggs took care in her words and research of this topic. She explored something I was unfamiliar with and shared it with a compassion that shows how she viewed the people who she loosely based her book around. She gave the survivors in this story a voice in a way that many never have.
The book follows the story of 6 young girls sent to a reform school for girls. Each were in for their own perceived crime. But the true crime is what was happening inside the reform school. Each girl abused and shamed and mistreated in their own way. But these girls find a way to band together and not give up or give in. They find a way to find light in the darkness. The story explores PTSD and its long term effects on people in a thoughtful way.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No