The Home for Unwanted Girls: The Heart-Wrenching, Gripping Story of a Mother-Daughter Bond That Could Not Be Broken - Inspired by True Events

by Joanna Goodman

In 1950s Quebec, French and English tolerate each other with precarious civility--much like Maggie Hughes' parents. Maggie's English-speaking father has ambitions for his daughter that don't include marriage to the poor French boy the next farm over. But Maggie's heart is captured by Gabriel Phénix. When she becomes pregnant at fifteen, her parents send the baby Elodie to an orphanage where she receives horrible treatment. Seventeen years later, Maggie, married to a businessman eager to start a family, cannot forget the daughter she was forced to abandon, and a chance reconnection with Gabriel spurs a wrenching choice. As time passes, the stories of Maggie and Elodie intertwine but never touch, until Maggie realizes she must take what she wants from life and go in search of her long-lost daughter, finally reclaiming the truth that has been denied them both.

• ISBN10: 0062684221
• ISBN13: 9780062684226
• Publish Date: 17 April 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[wcs53]

This was a great read, although quite harrowing and sad at times. The author covered some dark moments of Canadian history that I was unaware of. It took me through a rollercoaster of emotions and, I have to admit, some of the characters made me angry at times, especially Sister Ignatia and others who were like her. It seems to have been a well-researched book, which, as the story unfolded, made the events very believable.

Set between the 1950's and 70's in Quebec, the book tells the story of Maggie, daughter of an English father and French mother. At 15 she becomes pregnant and her baby daughter is given up for adoption, although she ends up in an orphanage. Rather than tell you what happens next, I'd just recommend that you read the book. You will not be disappointed.