Susan Wiggs, the bestselling author of more than fifty novels including The Lost and Found Bookshop and The Oysterville Sewing Circle, ventures into darker territory with Wayward Girls, a searing examination of institutional abuse wrapped in the deceptive cloak of religious sanctity. Based on true events, this historical fiction novel transports readers to 1960s Buffalo, where the Good Shepherd Refuge operated as a reform school for “wayward” girls under the control of the Sisters of Charity.
The story whispers against gray stone walls like ancient echoes, just as Wiggs describes the fortress-like institution that would become both prison and crucible for six young women whose only crimes were being different, defiant, or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Character Portraits: Six Lives Intersected by Injustice
The Ensemble Cast
Wiggs demonstrates her mastery of character development through six distinct protagonists, each representing different facets of society’s discarded youth:
- Mairin O’Hara emerges as the beating heart of the narrative—a spirited Irish immigrant’s daughter whose corkscrew curls and fierce determination mask deep vulnerability. Her escape attempts, though repeatedly thwarted, become symbols of unquenchable hope. Wiggs captures Mairin’s voice with authentic working-class Irish-American dialect and an irrepressible spirit that refuses to be broken.
- Angela Denny carries the heaviest burden, her story of sexual abuse at the hands of the institution’s doctor rendering her trauma with devastating authenticity. Her journey from victimization to eventual legal action decades later forms the novel’s emotional core. Wiggs handles Angela’s storyline with remarkable sensitivity, never exploiting the trauma for dramatic effect.
- Helen Chen, daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, represents the collateral damage of political persecution. Her academic brilliance and cultural otherness make her an outsider even among outcasts. Through Helen’s eyes, readers witness the absurdity of a system that imprisons the innocent alongside the troubled.
- Odessa Freeman brings depth and complexity to the narrative as a young Black woman whose “crime” was defending others during racial violence. Her dreams of California and the music business provide moments of hope and aspiration that contrast sharply with the institution’s attempts to crush individuality.
- Denise Curran embodies the tough girl archetype, but Wiggs gradually reveals the wounded child beneath the aggressive exterior. Her foster care background and survival instincts create a character who is both intimidating and heartbreakingly fragile.
- Janice presents perhaps the most complex character arc, transforming from informant to protector, ultimately choosing to remain within the religious system while attempting to reform it from within. Her devotion to the vulnerable Kay adds layers of loyalty and sacrifice to her characterization.
The Institutional Horror: When Faith Becomes Weapon
Wiggs’ portrayal of the Good Shepherd Refuge is meticulously researched and chillingly authentic. The institution operates under the guise of religious charity while systematically dehumanizing its residents through forced labor, psychological manipulation, and physical abuse. The author’s description of the laundry work—endless, mind-numbing drudgery performed in stifling silence—serves as both literal and metaphorical representation of how the system attempts to wash away the girls’ identities.
The character of Sister Bernadette deserves particular attention as Wiggs’ most nuanced creation. Initially appearing as a young, possibly sympathetic nun, Bernadette’s backstory reveals her as a former resident who found safety in submission to the system. Her gradual awakening to the institution’s cruelty and her ultimate dramatic courtroom rebellion provide one of the novel’s most powerful redemption arcs.
Sister Rotrude represents institutional evil in its most banal form—a woman who genuinely believes in the righteousness of her cruelty. Wiggs avoids cartoonish villainy, instead presenting Rotrude as a product of the same system that damaged the girls, making her both perpetrator and victim.
Narrative Structure: Time as Healer and Revealer
The novel’s structure alternates between the 1960s experiences at the Good Shepherd and the present-day reunion of the survivors. This temporal framework allows Wiggs to explore both the immediate trauma and its long-term consequences. The present-day sections, while occasionally feeling somewhat rushed compared to the richly detailed historical portions, effectively demonstrate how institutional abuse creates lifelong wounds.
The reunion scenes serve multiple purposes: they provide catharsis for both characters and readers, establish the long-term consequences of the abuse, and create a framework for the legal proceedings that form the novel’s climax. However, some readers may find the coincidental nature of the women’s reconnection through Odessa’s book tour slightly contrived.
Themes: Justice, Survival, and the Power of Truth
The Persistence of Trauma
Wiggs doesn’t shy away from exploring how childhood trauma shapes adult lives. Angela’s difficulty with physical intimacy, Helen’s need for control, and Mairin’s protective instincts all stem from their shared ordeal. The author’s treatment of these psychological scars feels authentic and respectful, avoiding both sensationalism and oversimplification.
Institutional Accountability
The novel’s legal proceedings serve as more than plot device—they represent a broader cultural reckoning with institutional abuse. Wiggs effectively captures the David-and-Goliath nature of taking on powerful religious institutions, while also showing how truth-telling can be its own form of healing.
Female Solidarity and Resilience
Perhaps the novel’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of feminine solidarity. The bonds forged in suffering become lifelines that sustain the women through decades of separation. Their reunion and mutual support during the legal proceedings demonstrate how shared trauma, while damaging, can also create unbreakable connections.
Writing Style: Accessible Yet Profound
Susan Wiggs demonstrates considerable range in Wayward Girls, moving beyond the lighter romance and family drama of her previous works to tackle serious social issues. Her prose remains accessible while addressing weighty themes, striking a balance between readability and literary merit.
The author’s research is evident throughout, from period-appropriate cultural references to authentic institutional details. The dialogue feels natural and differentiated between characters, with each voice remaining distinct and believable.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the present-day sections where plot momentum sometimes overtakes character development. The legal proceedings, while important thematically, can feel slightly rushed compared to the richly detailed historical portions.
Critical Assessment: Strengths and Limitations
Notable Strengths
- Historical Authenticity: Wiggs’ research into the Good Shepherd institutions and their practices lends credibility to the narrative
- Character Development: Each protagonist feels fully realized with distinct motivations and believable growth arcs
- Social Commentary: The novel effectively critiques institutional abuse without becoming preachy
- Emotional Resonance: The story’s emotional impact lingers long after the final page
Areas for Improvement
- Pacing Inconsistencies: The present-day sections occasionally feel rushed compared to the historical narrative
- Convenient Coincidences: The reunion plot device strains credibility slightly
- Resolution Timing: Some character arcs feel incompletely resolved, particularly those of secondary characters
Cultural and Historical Context
Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs arrives at a time of increased scrutiny of institutional abuse, particularly within religious organizations. The novel’s exploration of how authority figures exploit vulnerable youth resonates with contemporary discussions about power, accountability, and justice. Wiggs’ decision to base the story on actual institutions adds weight to the narrative’s social commentary.
The 1960s setting provides rich historical context, with references to civil rights struggles, the Vietnam War, and changing social attitudes creating an authentic period atmosphere. The author effectively uses these broader historical currents to illuminate the specific injustices experienced by the protagonists.
Comparison to Similar Works
Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs shares thematic territory with other novels exploring institutional abuse and female resilience:
- “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate: Similar examination of institutional corruption and child welfare failures
- “The Magdalene Sisters” by Anne Enright: Exploration of Catholic institutions’ treatment of “wayward” women
- “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood: Institutional control of women’s bodies and identities
- “Room” by Emma Donoghue: Survival and healing after traumatic confinement
While Wayward Girls doesn’t achieve the literary heights of Atwood or Enright, it succeeds as accessible historical fiction that illuminates important social issues without sacrificing narrative engagement.
Verdict: A Necessary Story Well Told
Wayward Girls represents a significant departure and achievement for Susan Wiggs. While it may not reach the literary heights of her most acclaimed works, it succeeds as both engaging historical fiction and important social commentary. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its authentic portrayal of female friendship forged in adversity and its unflinching examination of institutional abuse.
The story’s relevance extends beyond its historical setting to contemporary discussions about power, accountability, and healing. Wiggs has crafted a novel that honors survivors while refusing to exploit their pain for dramatic effect.
Despite some pacing issues and occasional narrative conveniences, Wayward Girls stands as a compelling testament to the power of truth-telling and the resilience of the human spirit. It’s a book that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page, asking difficult questions about justice, forgiveness, and the price of silence.
For readers interested in historical fiction that tackles serious social issues with both sensitivity and strength, Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs offers a rewarding, if sometimes difficult, reading experience. It’s a novel that demands to be read, discussed, and remembered.
Recommended Reading
For those moved by Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs, consider these thematically similar works:
- The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
- Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
- The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
- The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
- The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
