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thepagelady 's review for:
Wayward Girls: A Novel
by Susan Wiggs
Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs follows six teenage girls locked away in a Catholic reform school not for crimes, but for being too much for society: too outspoken, too queer, too curious, too pregnant. Basically, for being themselves.
At the heart of the story is Mairin, a sharp and scrappy teen who forms deep bonds with the other girls as they endure forced labor, abusive discipline, and the kind of injustices that hit especially hard knowing they’re rooted in real history.
Despite all that darkness, the novel is full of strength and solidarity. It’s about friendship, found family, and the fierce will to survive and fight back. Wiggs doesn’t sugarcoat the trauma, but she also gives these girls a voice, a future, and each other. It's gritty, heartbreaking, and powerful. A book that sticks with you and makes you want to hug your younger self.
At the heart of the story is Mairin, a sharp and scrappy teen who forms deep bonds with the other girls as they endure forced labor, abusive discipline, and the kind of injustices that hit especially hard knowing they’re rooted in real history.
Despite all that darkness, the novel is full of strength and solidarity. It’s about friendship, found family, and the fierce will to survive and fight back. Wiggs doesn’t sugarcoat the trauma, but she also gives these girls a voice, a future, and each other. It's gritty, heartbreaking, and powerful. A book that sticks with you and makes you want to hug your younger self.