Wayward Girls - A Novel

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs, a wrenching but life-affirming novel based on a true story of survival, friendship, and redemption when six girls come together in a Catholic reform school in 1960s Buffalo, NY. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours , Orphan Train , and The Berry Pickers . It was a place frozen in time, an ancient fortress haunted by echoes that whispered against the gray stone in a mysterious, heavy rhythm, as though this place was entirely separate from the rest of the world. A sign by the inner door read Our Lady of Charity Refuge and Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Mairin''s breath caught in her throat as comprehension crept over her. This place was the one mentioned in scandalized whispers from the older girls at school. It was the one people gossiped about when a girl suddenly stopped showing up to class. It was the place angry parents--like her own mother--threatened their daughters with: "I''ll send you to the nuns, just you see if I won''t." Amid the turbulence of the Vietnam Era, in the all-American city of Buffalo, New York, teenage girls were condemned to forced labor at the Good Shepherd, a dark and secret institution controlled by the Sisters of Charity nuns. In 1968 we meet six teens thrust into confinement at the Good Shepherd -- merely for being gay, pregnant, or simply unruly. Mairin -- free-spirited daughter of Irish immigrants was committed to keep her safe from her stepfather. Angela -- denounced for her attraction to girls, was sent to the nuns for reform, but instead found herself the victim of a predator. Helen -- the daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, saw her "temporary" stay at the Good Shepherd stretch into years. Odessa -- caught up in a police dragnet over a racial incident, found the physical and mental toughness to endure her sentence. Denise -- sentenced for brawling in a foster home, dared to dream of a better life. Janice -- deeply insecure, she couldn''t decide where her loyalty lay -- except when it came to her friend Kay, who would never outgrow her childlike dependency. Sister Bernadette -- rescued from a dreadful childhood, she owed her loyalty to the Sisters of Charity even as her conscience weighed on her. Wayward Girls is a haunting but thrilling tale of hope, solidarity, and the enduring strength of young women who find the courage to break free and find redemption...and justice. ...

A propos de l'auteur

Susan Wiggs is the author of more than fifty novels, including the beloved Lakeshore Chronicles series and the recent New York Times bestsellers The Lost and Found Bookshop, The Oysterville Sewing Circle, and Family Tree. Her award-winning books have been translated into two dozen languages. She lives with her husband on an island in Washington State’s Puget Sound.

Résumé

"After decades of bestsellers, Wayward Girls might be Susan Wiggs' opus. A gut-wrenching story of survival, friendship, and justice. Masterful."--Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
"The magnificent Susan Wiggs takes a leap into the history of women..a page-turner, replete with mystery and suspense."—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone
From New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs, a wrenching but life-affirming novel based on a true story of survival, friendship, and redemption. Set in the turbulent Vietnam era in the All-American city of Buffalo, New York, six girls are condemned to forced labor in the laundry of a Catholic reform school.
In 1968 we meet six teens confined at the Good Shepherd—a dark and secretive institution controlled by Sisters of Charity nuns—locked away merely for being gay, pregnant, or simply unruly.
Mairin— free-spirited daughter of Irish immigrants, committed to keep her safe from her stepfather.
Angela—denounced for her attraction to girls, sent to the nuns for reform, but instead found herself the victim of a predator.
Helen—the daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, she saw her “temporary” stay at the Good Shepherd stretch into years.
Odessa—caught up in a police dragnet over a racial incident, she found the physical and mental toughness to endure her sentence.
Denise—sentenced for brawling in a foster home, she dared to dream of a better life.
Janice—deeply insecure, she couldn’t decide where her loyalty lay—except when it came to her friend Kay, who would never outgrow her childlike dependency.
Sister Bernadette—rescued from a dreadful childhood, she owed her loyalty to the Sisters of Charity even as her conscience weighed on her.
Wayward Girls is a haunting but thrilling tale of hope, solidarity, and the enduring strength of young women who find the courage to break free and find redemption...and justice.
"Compelling...This powerful and unforgettable novel is a poignant and enlightening look into a sad chapter of recent history."--Library Journal (starred review)
"Heart-wrenching...sweeping. This one lingers long after the last page."--Publishers Weekly
"Wayward girls is all about the power of female bonds...this isn't just a moment in time—it's a cautionary tale."—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of By Any Other Name
“Susan Wiggs is at the top of her game. Through the skillful weaving of an endearing cast, Wayward Girls displays the power of sisterhood to survive, conquer, and ultimately heal from the most harrowing of times. An evocative tale packed with resilience and secrets that kept me reading late into the night. I loved it.”  —Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday and The Girls of Good Fortune

Détails du produit

• Auteurs: Susan Wiggs, Wiggs Susan
• Edition: William Morrow
• Langues: Anglais
• Format d'édition: Livre Relié
• Sortie: 09.04.2025, retardé
• EAN: 9780063118270
• ISBN: 978-0-06-311827-0
• Pages: 400
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 29 mm
• Catégories: Littérature > Littérature (récits); Narrative theme: Interior life, Family life fiction, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999, Relating to lesbians, Fiction: general and literary, FICTION: Literary, FICTION: Women, FICTION: Family Life / General, FICTION: Psychological, FICTION: Friendship, FICTION: LGBTQ+ / Lesbian, FICTION: Historical / 20th Century / Post-World War II