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The Lost Girls of Willowbrook cover art

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

Written by: Ellen Marie Wiseman
Narrated by: Morgan Hallett
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Publisher's Summary

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

What listeners say about The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

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Interesting story

I thought it was really good. It was entertaining if not always believable. A good read

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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The Absolute Worst out of the 200 books I've read

From beginning to end there wasn't a believable moment. There may be some truth in the treatment of the poor brave things that suffered in the asylum but not in the story of the twin sisters and their completely dysfunctional family. This book was the ultimate disappointment from beginning to end.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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Hugely Disappointing

Important subject - terrible story. Reads more like a YA novel with a far-fetched plot, immense plot holes and ridiculous twists. The author drags out the story which could have been half as long, and tries to hard to shock the listener/reader. I listened to this so you don't have to. You're welcome.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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not a fan

quit after 4th chapter....story was gruesome...wrong choice for me..didn't like the storyline at all...the end

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