It’s strange timing that I read this book while pregnant, as The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman describes not one, not two, but three (!) different childbirth experiences. I raced through this book, and everytime I reached one of these scenes, I could feel my body tensing in anticipation (and let’s be honest, horror) of what was to come in a few weeks time for me. Now I don’t say that to scare potential readers off, because the labour scenes are quite short, but the fact that there’s three of them is a bit unique, even in the realm of ‘women’s fiction’ which is where I would place this book.
Historical fiction is another genre this story can be slotted into, and the history that we learn about Quebec, Canada in the 1950’s and 60s is absolutely horrific, and I would also argue, relatively unknown. We are introduced to a young girl named Maggie, hopelessly in love with her next door neighbor Gabriel, who gets her pregnant. Outraged at her embarrassing situation, Maggie’s parents send her away to have the child and give it up immediately for adoption, all unbeknownst to Gabriel. Next we meet Elodie, Maggie’s scorned child, who we discover has ended up in an orphanage, not happily adopted out as Maggie was led to believe. At first Elodie leads a fairly happy life, she’s taken care of by nuns who do a relatively loving job of raising her and the other wards. But, due to a political decision, some Catholic orphanages in Quebec are transitioned to mental asylums because they receive more funding per child from the government. I’m probably describing this slightly incorrectly, but it did indeed happen, and here’s a wikipedia article that will explain it better. Once this occurs, Elodie is essentially labelled as mentally insane, tasked with physically caring for adult mental patients who are forced into the same building, and sexually, physically and verbally abused on a regular basis by the staff members (including the clergy). Sounding familiar to anyone? Yes, these orphanages-turned-asylums operated much like the residential schools that Indigenous children were forced into. I’ve written a few book reviews that touch upon this subject.
Author Joanna Goodman
Despite the horrors that are delved into, I found myself turning the pages faster and faster. The characterization is so sincere in this book. Maggie is a wonderful woman-her strength and resolve are admirable, even though she can be terribly naive, especially when it comes to her first love Gabriel, who makes more than a few appearances throughout the timeline. Her relationship with her parents is bumpy (understandably), but Goodman does a good job of depicting everyone quite fairly in this book. There are monsters yes, but we also understand people’s motivations for acting badly, even if we don’t always agree with them.
I was fascinated to learn about the cultural history of Quebec at that time, admittedly being Canadian probably has much to do with this. But the clash between the French and English of Quebec was something I wasn’t really aware of, and I know I’m repeating myself here in this post, but I don’t think many Canadians would be aware of this tension if they were born in the late 1970s or later. I haven’t spent enough time in that province to know whether this has greatly improved, or simply ignored, but I’d love for my readers to comment below if they have any insight into this issue.
Congratulations on you new little one . I so enjoy your blog.
Thanks so much for your readership!
a very interesting read as I did learn some things about the struggles or strife between French and English having been married to one from Magog Que. Generations have passed and yes they have evolved a little from their differences.
I’m glad you read it, it shines a light on an oft-hidden part of our Canadian past that deserves so much more attention!
Congrats and if you could stomach this book try this one: https://books6259.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/the-magdalene-girls-by-v-s-alexander/
Thanks I will check it out!
My aunt and uncle lived in Quebec from about the early ’60s. They seemed to think that everyone rubbed along together pretty well but there were still definite tensions that seemed to flare up every now and again. They had to learn French because the French speakers wouldn’t speak English – or I should say *some* French speakers wouldn’t – and why should they? They loved it though – thought the two cultures gave it a really cosmopolitan feel.
hmmm I think Quebec still feels like that (from the little time I’ve spent there). Cosmopolitan is a good word to describe it!
Oh, goodness! Why did you decide to read a dark book at the end of your pregnancy? I thought people were supposed to keep calm and say “namaste” a lot near the end (okay, I have no children). Or, a funny book! I’m currently reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson and almost pee my pants laughing. Although, that may not help a woman with an infant, to go around peeing her pants.
haha actually I have a catheter in right now (complications from the labour) so peeing my pants is impossible. Bill Bryson is amazing! I should have read a funny book, it would have been helpful I think LOL
I’m so sorry to hear that, Anne. Also, I didn’t know about Bill Bryson until I read the blog post loving on A Walk in the Woods, but now I see he has MANY books.
yes well, there are worse things than catheters, but it’s no joke that children destroy your body LOL
I grew up in Quebec. I remember starting grade 1 in 1961(wow so long ago), and I was scared of the French people. They(the kids) often would yell out obscenities to me as I walked home. Our schools were next to each other ( ours was the hand me down, theirs the new one) and we did not speak to each other at all. I have a lot of bad memories of that time, but then all of a sudden, it seemed to resolve. I can’t say what changed as I was a child, but I do remember eventually not being fearful. I am very interested in reading this book. Really liked your review!
wow, this is fascinating stuff! Thank you for the insight. It seemed naive of me to think that these problems had just resolved gradually over time but it sounds like that’s sort of how it went. Thanks for reading my review!
I would like to read this just for the Quebec history alone. But the story sounds good, too!
I remember it being a really conflicting time – wanting the baby out, but being terrified about the baby coming out. More so for #2 and #3, because after #1 I knew what I was in for!
yes! I was so uncomfortable by the end, but I also knew life was about to get WAY harder, which is very conflicting LOL
I don’t think that I would enjoy reading this, sounds too intense for me! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, though! Sounds like it was handled well.
yes, the topic was handled with great sensitivity so that was a relief 🙂
Congrats on being pregnant! I also remember kind of steeling myself every time I heard or read about someone’s birth story. Of course everyone seems to want to talk about how tough it is… For what it’s worth, I’ve had three kids, all without pain medication of any kind. No drama, no emergencies or worries. I was nervous at first all three times, but they went smoothly. I swear it is possible to have an uneventful and positive birth experience! You’re going to do great! 😄
thank you! And good on ya for not using any pain meds. I just gave birth to my second, and had the epidural this time-phew, what a relief!
Hi Anne, This post is of course quite a long time on from your review. I am so sorry not to have met up with you when I was in Calgary, I arrived back yesterday. Glenna has passed this book on to me and I am thoroughly enjoying it and find it fascinating but the 1950s was an interesting time here too. I wonder if you ever see the series ‘Call the Midwife’ which has been ongoing here for some time and is set in the East end of London in the 1950s, fascinating. I find it difficult to put this book down and have been interested in the comments above. I do enjoy reading your blog and hope is all well with Ava (hope she is fully recovered from her accident) and Arthur. xxxx
Thanks so much Jill, I’m sorry to have missed you! I hope you enjoy the ending of this book too, it is unputdownable!
I haven’t seen that show on Netflix, but it’s on my list to watch when I get the time-whenever that will be!