The Lost Girls of Willowbrook cover art

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

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The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

By: Ellen Marie Wiseman
Narrated by: Morgan Hallett
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About this listen

In her most powerful novel to date, New York Times bestselling author Ellen Marie Wiseman masterfully viscerally evokes the real-life Willowbrook State School, the infamous Staten Island, New York, mental institution that shocked a nation when exposed in the 1970s as a dumping ground for unwanted children. Girl, Interrupted meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in this gripping narrative of social injustice, survival, and a young woman determined to find her sister.

Sage Winters always knew her sister was a little different even though they were identical twins. They loved the same things and shared a deep understanding, but Rosemary—awake to every emotion, easily moved to joy or tears—seemed to need more protection from the world.

Six years after Rosemary's death from pneumonia, Sage, now sixteen, still misses her deeply. Their mother perished in a car crash, and Sage's stepfather, Alan, resents being burdened by a responsibility he never wanted. Yet despite living as near strangers in their Staten Island apartment, Sage is stunned to discover that Alan has kept a shocking secret: Rosemary didn't die. She was committed to Willowbrook State School and has lingered there until just a few days ago, when she went missing.

Sage knows little about Willowbrook. It's always been a place shrouded by rumor and mystery. A place local parents threaten to send misbehaving kids. With no idea what to expect, Sage secretly sets out for Willowbrook, determined to find Rosemary. What she learns, once she steps through its doors and is mistakenly believed to be her sister, will change her life in ways she never could imagined...

©2022 Ellen Marie Wiseman (P)2022 Recorded Books
Coming of Age Genre Fiction Historical Fiction World Literature Fiction Island

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All stars
Most relevant  
a mix of fiction with a basis i
n a real life event. a reasonable read...but not a book I would really recommend as it seemed a bit long...and could be much shorter

a worrying basis for this book

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Really great storyline with lots of twists and turns. Loved the ending. A really incredible book

Incredible

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I did enjoy it . It’s hard to believe that so much abuse can go under the radar

Held my interest

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Interesting unexpected story line. A bit too detailed in places but overall interesting read & I was intrigued to find out what would happen next.
Decent book.

Interesting story line.

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I’d never heard of Willowbrook before and this story is a great way to learn about it. Great storytelling. Even though I kind of knew where it was going I was gripped the entire time

Loved it!

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I wasn't sure what to expect from this and was pleasantly surprised. the descriptions of the dire conditions were put across perfectly. you really felt the despair. the end result was a bit obvious to me but I was thoroughly absorbed. highly recommended

brilliant if a little predictable

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I was very keen to read this after enjoying another of the author’s books, but this one fell short. The subject matter was interesting and obviously horrific but the sequence of events was predictable and unrealistic.
Not a bad listen but you do have to suspend reality a little!

Excellent narration but a sadly predictable story.

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Underlying story interesting and haunting as true place, however the main character Sage was the most annoying person and story really dragged.

Could’ve been better

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