"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,
The Good Left Undone
From
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.
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,
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,
Sold on a Monday
and
The Girls of Good Fortune