Susan Wiggs ventures into uncharted territory with “Wayward Girls,” delivering a devastating yet ultimately redemptive tale that resurrects a forgotten chapter of American history. Set against the backdrop of 1968 Buffalo, New York, this novel exposes the dark reality of the Good Shepherd Refuge, a Catholic reform institution where teenage girls were condemned to forced labor under the guise of moral correction.
The Architecture of Injustice
The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, centering on six teenage girls whose only crime was being inconvenient to society’s expectations. Mairin O’Hara, the spirited Irish-American daughter who becomes our primary guide through this nightmare, arrives at the Good Shepherd not for any wrongdoing, but because her mother seeks to protect her from an abusive stepfather. Her journey from apple-picking teenager humming Simon and Garfunkel to a hardened survivor forms the emotional backbone of the narrative.
Wiggs demonstrates remarkable skill in crafting distinct voices for each character. Angela Denny, sent away for loving another girl, carries the weight of societal condemnation with a quiet dignity that makes her story particularly heartbreaking. Helen, the daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, watches helplessly as her “temporary” stay stretches into years. Each girl represents a different facet of how society discarded its most vulnerable daughters.
The Brutality of “Rehabilitation”
The author’s portrayal of the Good Shepherd institution is unflinchingly brutal yet never exploitative. The nuns, particularly the iron-fisted Sister Gerard and her zealous lieutenant Sister Rotrude, emerge as complex antagonists who genuinely believe they are saving souls while perpetuating systematic abuse. The forced labor in the laundry, the ritualistic head-shaving, the punishments of dark closet confinement—all are rendered with visceral clarity that makes the reader’s skin crawl.
Sister Bernadette presents the most fascinating character study. As a former resident turned nun, she embodies the tragic cycle of institutional abuse, simultaneously victim and perpetrator. Her internal struggle between conscience and loyalty to the order provides some of the novel’s most psychologically complex moments.
The Power of Female Solidarity
Where “Wayward Girls” by Susan Wiggs truly soars is in its depiction of how the girls forge bonds that transcend their circumstances. Their friendships become acts of resistance, small rebellions against a system designed to break their spirits. The famous escape attempt during the Independence Day trip to Niagara Falls serves as both literal and metaphorical liberation—a moment when these “wayward” girls reclaim their agency.
The novel’s structure, alternating between past and present, allows Wiggs to explore the long-term trauma these women carry. The contemporary sections, showing the survivors as accomplished adults still grappling with their past, add layers of depth to the historical narrative.
Literary Craftsmanship and Historical Authenticity
Wiggs’ prose style adapts beautifully to her subject matter, alternating between the lyrical voice of memory and the stark realism of institutional life. Her research into the Magdalene laundries is evident in every detail, from the specifics of laundry operations to the psychological manipulation employed by the nuns.
The historical context is meticulously crafted. The Vietnam War era setting provides a perfect backdrop for a story about rebellion and social change. The references to popular culture—from “Mrs. Robinson” to the changing social attitudes of the late 1960s—ground the story in its time period without feeling forced.
Areas of Concern
While “Wayward Girls” by Susan Wiggs succeeds magnificently in most areas, it occasionally suffers from pacing issues. The contemporary sections, while emotionally satisfying, sometimes feel rushed compared to the richly developed historical narrative. Some readers might find the ending’s emphasis on legal justice and reconciliation somewhat tidy for such a devastating story.
The novel also grapples with the challenge of depicting historical trauma without falling into misery tourism. While Wiggs generally handles this balance well, there are moments where the brutality feels overwhelming, potentially alienating readers who might otherwise engage with the important historical issues at stake.
Connections to Contemporary Literature
“Wayward Girls” by Susan Wiggs stands alongside other powerful works that expose institutional abuse, particularly “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate and “The Magdalene Girls” by V.S. Alexander. However, Wiggs brings a unique perspective to this genre through her focus on the specific American context of Catholic reform schools and her skillful weaving of LGBTQ+ themes into the historical narrative.
The novel also echoes the themes found in Wiggs’ previous works, particularly her exploration of women’s resilience in the face of societal oppression. Her bestselling novels like “The Lost and Found Bookshop” and “The Oysterville Sewing Circle” have consistently championed female strength, but “Wayward Girls” represents her most ambitious and socially conscious work to date.
A Testament to Survival
“Wayward Girls” by Susan Wiggs succeeds as both historical fiction and social commentary. It forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about how society has treated its most vulnerable members while celebrating the indomitable spirit of those who survived. The novel’s title, initially appearing pejorative, becomes a badge of honor by the story’s end—these were indeed wayward girls, and their refusal to conform saved them.
Final Thoughts
Susan Wiggs has crafted a powerful, necessary novel that gives voice to forgotten victims while celebrating the bonds that sustain us through our darkest moments. “Wayward Girls” is challenging, heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant—a testament to the power of sisterhood and the importance of bearing witness to difficult truths.
This is essential reading for anyone interested in women’s history, institutional abuse, or simply powerful storytelling that refuses to look away from hard truths. While the subject matter is undeniably dark, the novel’s message of resilience and redemption makes it a profoundly life-affirming experience.
Similar Recommended Reads:
- “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate – Exposes the Tennessee Children’s Home Society scandal
- “The Magdalene Girls” by V.S. Alexander – Focuses on Ireland’s Magdalene laundries
- “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline – Explores the orphan train movement
- “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters – Indigenous family trauma and resilience
- “The Water Keeper’s Daughter” by Kathleen Grissom – Institutional abuse in religious settings
“Wayward Girls” by Susan Wiggs stands as a monument to those who suffered in silence and a reminder that the most important stories are often the ones society prefers to forget.