Jul 04, 2023WeBeYYC rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
fascinating story about illegitimate children in 1940s and 50s in Quebec.
physical abuse, naïve girls not taught facts of life; not receive education.
were considered 'mental health' cases as that classification paid more to the…
May 01, 2023Tica77 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Joanna Goodman was inspired by a dark period in Quebec history when Duplessis converted all orphanages into mental hospitals to receive more funding from the Federal Government. Consequently, hundreds of perfectly normal orphans were…
Nov 29, 2021loveirises rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I almost didn't finish this book after the rape but wanted to know how Maggie handled the situation, then couldn't put it down. Hard to read in parts but a satisfying ending.
Jun 25, 2021posie12 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
To know that the government paid these churches to run institutes who abused kids is shameful. So many native children died in these places, all for the benefit of the church treasury, makes you think slavery didn't only happen to black…
Apr 28, 2021jeannettekeir rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I could not put this book down. I was not aware of the Duplessis orphans and was often moved to tears many times as I read this story. A vile and shocking story of abuse by the Duplessis government in Quebec and the Catholic Church. Kudos…
Jan 26, 2021richibi rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
what should've been a searing condemnation of the abuse of orphaned children during the Duplessis era, by mandate, becomes a sappy love story complete with a fairy tale ending - yech
Oct 20, 2020genepy rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An incredible story revealing a shameful period of history in Quebec under Duplessis in the 50's. Beautifully written , captivating ,emotional, with two endearing main protagonists :historical fiction at its best. I highly recommend it.
Jul 27, 2020Zoelexi777 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book from the very first page until the end. I did not know about the orphanages in Quebec in the 1950’s and the transition to mental hospitals. It was certainly an eye opener. I would definitely recommend this book.
Jul 20, 2020ArapahoeKristy rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
After a slow start I thoroughly enjoyed this novel based on true events taking place in Canada in the 1950s. At the age of 16, Maggie is forced to give up her baby. Years pass and orphanages are turned into mental institutions so that they…
Dec 24, 2019peacebenow rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Orphanages of 50'-70's exposed in Canada. Heart wrenching details of the conditions. All too normal that young women are not educated about their bodies or taught how to traverse the hormonal upswing of puberty. Of course the mid 1900's…
Nov 27, 2019StrangelyExuberant rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I first heard about the orphanages that changed into mental hospitals and the brutal conditions while attending university a few years ago. This book captured and brought to life the history very well. It brought a life to it that we are…
May 17, 2019wendybird rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A well written, wonderful novel, incorporating some neglected & sad history from Quebec. The final chapters could have been a bit more tightly edited, but a small quibble. Look for appearances of the author, come September 2019, as the…
Apr 09, 2019mpye rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A truly marvellous and beautifully written book. I read it in three days and had tears in my eyes at more than one point. What a gifted Canadian writer we have in Joanna Goodman. I discovered her by accident and now want to read everything…
Jan 20, 2019kathyonpost rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Twenty years in the making, set in Quebec, it's the story of an unwed mother Maggie and the daughter Elodie she is forced to give up to an orphanage run by nuns. Beautifully written it is essentially a love story. Overriding themes of the…
Jan 19, 2019LibraryAccount rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
5 Stars. Excellent historical fiction. Great read for quiet times at home, or as a summer, or beach vacation novel. I learned a lot about the terrible occurrences in the 40's, 50's in Quebec, under the Duplessis provincial government,…
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The Home for Unwanted Girls