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kelly_e 's review for:
The Girls with No Names
by Serena Burdick
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Title: The Girls with No Names
Author: Serena Burdick
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 7 2020
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Emotional β’ Dynamic β’ Vivid
π S Y N O P S I S
The Girls with No Names follows Effie and Luella, two sisters growing up in 1910s New York City. The sisters discover a secret about their father, leading Luella to rebel, eventually convincing Effie to join her in sneaking away to visit a travelling gypsy camp on the outskirts of town. When Luella decides to run away with this camp, Effie is heartbroken and is convinced her parents have sent her to The House of Mercy, a Protestant Episcopal home for wayward girls. She conjures up a plan to get herself into The House of Mercy in order to rescue her sister. However, she soon discovers Luella is not there, and that escaping is next to impossible. A touching story of sisters and friendships, of secrets and survival.
π T H O U G H T S
I went into this one thinking it was WWI or WWII historical fiction, so I was completely surprised when I started reading. As a lover of historical fiction, it is always nice to explore a different aspect of history besides WWI or WWII. There is definitely a lot of setting the stage in the beginning, but I was intrigued to see where everything was going to go. I instantly developed strong feelings surrounding many of the characters very early on. In particular, I took a keen interest in Effie's story, and how she beat the odds with her heart condition. She was definitely my favourite character, demonstrating immense loyalty, strength, and courageousness. At the same time, I felt skeptical and dislike for both of her parents at various times.
The plot felt believable and as always I enjoyed learning a new part of history I wasn't aware of. At times heartbreaking to read knowing The House of Mercy subjected so many young girls to abysmal and abusive circumstances. The short chapters and alternating perspectives helped hold my attention. There were multiple relationships that were resolved in the end, and I was left feeling satisfied with how everything played out.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ historical fiction fans
β’ readers interested in women's history
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
" 'Life can be ugly,' she said. 'You must keep your imagination alive. That way you will have somewhere else to look if things turn unbearable."
"But lifeβs a blind business, none of us can see up ahead, and none of us would move forward if we could."
"When you become a person you no longer recognize, it is startling to find a piece of yourself intact."
Author: Serena Burdick
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 7 2020
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Emotional β’ Dynamic β’ Vivid
π S Y N O P S I S
The Girls with No Names follows Effie and Luella, two sisters growing up in 1910s New York City. The sisters discover a secret about their father, leading Luella to rebel, eventually convincing Effie to join her in sneaking away to visit a travelling gypsy camp on the outskirts of town. When Luella decides to run away with this camp, Effie is heartbroken and is convinced her parents have sent her to The House of Mercy, a Protestant Episcopal home for wayward girls. She conjures up a plan to get herself into The House of Mercy in order to rescue her sister. However, she soon discovers Luella is not there, and that escaping is next to impossible. A touching story of sisters and friendships, of secrets and survival.
π T H O U G H T S
I went into this one thinking it was WWI or WWII historical fiction, so I was completely surprised when I started reading. As a lover of historical fiction, it is always nice to explore a different aspect of history besides WWI or WWII. There is definitely a lot of setting the stage in the beginning, but I was intrigued to see where everything was going to go. I instantly developed strong feelings surrounding many of the characters very early on. In particular, I took a keen interest in Effie's story, and how she beat the odds with her heart condition. She was definitely my favourite character, demonstrating immense loyalty, strength, and courageousness. At the same time, I felt skeptical and dislike for both of her parents at various times.
The plot felt believable and as always I enjoyed learning a new part of history I wasn't aware of. At times heartbreaking to read knowing The House of Mercy subjected so many young girls to abysmal and abusive circumstances. The short chapters and alternating perspectives helped hold my attention. There were multiple relationships that were resolved in the end, and I was left feeling satisfied with how everything played out.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ historical fiction fans
β’ readers interested in women's history
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
" 'Life can be ugly,' she said. 'You must keep your imagination alive. That way you will have somewhere else to look if things turn unbearable."
"But lifeβs a blind business, none of us can see up ahead, and none of us would move forward if we could."
"When you become a person you no longer recognize, it is startling to find a piece of yourself intact."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Racial slurs
Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Terminal illness