I’ve read several books about the Magdalene laundries and immediately requested Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs. She did not disappoint. The story unfolds in 1960s Buffalo, N.Y. Wiggs transports us into the lives of six teens who find themselves at the Good Shepherd, run by the Sisters of Charity nuns. Narrated by Jane Oppenheimer & Cynthia Farrell, it’s a story of survival, friendship, and redemption.
by Susan Wiggs
Narrator: Susan Wiggs, Jane Oppenheimer, Cynthia Farrell
Length: 15 hours and 17 minutes
Genres: Historical Fiction
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.45x
It was a place frozen in time, an ancient fortress haunted by echoes that whispered against the gray stone in a mysterious, heavy rhythm, as though this place was entirely separate from the rest of the world. A sign by the inner door read Our Lady of Charity Refuge and Sisters of the Good Shepherd.
Mairin’s breath caught in her throat as comprehension crept over her. This place was the one mentioned in scandalized whispers from the older girls at school. It was the one people gossiped about when a girl suddenly stopped showing up to class. It was the place angry parents—like her own mother—threatened their daughters “I’ll send you to the nuns, just you see if I won’t.”
Amid the turbulence of the Vietnam Era, in the all-American city of Buffalo, New York, teenage girls were condemned to forced labor at the Good Shepherd, a dark and secret institution controlled by the Sisters of Charity nuns.
In 1968 we meet six teens thrust into confinement at the Good Shepherd—merely for being gay, pregnant, or simply unruly.
Mairin— free-spirited daughter of Irish immigrants was committed to keep her safe from her stepfather.
Angela—denounced for her attraction to girls, was sent to the nuns for reform, but instead found herself the victim of a predator.
Helen—the daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, saw her “temporary” stay at the Good Shepherd stretch into years.
Odessa—caught up in a police dragnet over a racial incident, found the physical and mental toughness to endure her sentence.
Denise—sentenced for brawling in a foster home, 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.
Wayward Girls 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.
It’s 1960 in Buffalo, New York, with the Vietnam War looming and boys begins drafted. Mairin lives with her mother, brother and stepfather. Money is tight, her stepfather is a drunkard, and her mother and devote Irish Catholic with secrets. Mairin still mourns the loss of her father, but she is a good girl who spent her summer picking in the orchards to help her family. When her best friend is discovered to be in the family way and her stepfather makes advances, plans are made unbeknownst to her after her brother is called up in the draft. This is how Mairin finds herself a ward of the Sisters of Charity at the Good Shepherd. Hurt by her mother’s action the tale that unfolds tugged at my heartstrings and offered a glimpse into the struggles of this era.
Wiggs delivered a tale of horror, hope, love, friendship and redemption that held me captive and endeared me to Mairin and five other young women placed at the Good Sheppard for various reasons such as kissing a girl, being in the family way and thievery. The author does a splendid job of sharing what occurs behind the doors of these Magdalene Laundries.
We follow Marin throughout her life, as well as the other girls as Wiggs weaves historical events, precious life moments and secrets into the tale. She allowed the listener to connect with these young girls and become invested in them. Perfect paced with a balance of dark and light moments along with suspenseful and heartwarming moments. Brilliant.
Jane Oppenheimer & Cynthia Farrell gave voice to these characters and enhanced my overall enjoyment of the tale. I loved that I knew who was speaking as each delivered unique recognizable voices. I highly recommend listening to Wayward Girls.
About Susan Wiggs
Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
About Cynthia Farrell
Cynthia Farrell is a narrator, musical theater singer, and voice-over actor in English and in Spanish: her mother is part Spanish/Costa Rican. She has enjoyed narrating in the young adult, as well as sci-fi, crime drama, romance, Christian, children's, and nonfiction genres. She feels that her strong definition of character, musicality within the text, diction, and tone stem from from her work as a theater singer. She lives with her daughters in Manhattan.
About Jane Oppenheimer
From memoirs to mysteries to YA fantasies, Jane Oppenheimer’s engaging narration style and honest characterizations enthrall her listeners. She graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a BFA in Theater. She has performed in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Regional theaters, as well as on television and film. Her voice-over work can be heard on commercials, corporate videos and theme park rides. When she’s not talking to herself in the booth, she’s most likely poring over design magazines and websites for her next renovation project or scouring open houses in search of the next property to restore.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 Audiobook Challenge
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Katherine
This sounds like an incredibly tough read but a good one. I like the diverse characters. I’ve had good luck with this author before so I will have to pick this one up.
Mary Kirkland
These characters sound interesting.
hena
Sounds great.. thanks for sharing. I think the audio’s really elevate certain books.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’ve enjoyed this author but not in historical fiction. It sounds very emotional, maybe heartbreaking.
Bree @ Bibliophilebree
Gonna have to check this one out!
Ethan
I’m unfamiliar with this author, but I love the setup of this story!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
Excellent review, Kimberley💜 Can’t wait to listen to this one.