The Lost Girls of Willowbrook: A Heartbreaking Novel of Survival Based on True History

Don’t miss this book closely based on a real story. To hear about people being treated so horribly will break your heart if you have one. Fascinating story which is beautifully written

Some criticisms of this book are that the grimness portrayed is unrealistic. I was a psychology major in the 70s and I had to do a semester of field work at Creedmoor, a similar institution in Queens. Much of what this author describes, especially the sounds and the smells are correctly portrayed and Creedmoor was a lot better than Willowbrook. It was enough for me to change my major and become a librarian and author instead of a clinical psychologist. The first half of the book describes the nightmare of being wrongly incarcerated in such a forbidding place, the rest of it unravels thee story of Rosemary's disappearance. While it was easy to guess who was responsible, it was still a riveting story of survival. My only criticism was the sudden and mild treatment of Sage's father. That part of her life and the appropriate anger anyone in that situation would have felt toward his abandonment was glossed over, but that would have added another 50 to 100 pages to the story. I liked how it ended with her obituary as an old woman even if it was written in the year 2044. But hey, this is fiction, so go with it! All in all it was a great read about a sad episode in American life.

This was a heart wrenching book! It was very good. Very suspenseful with a lot of twists and turns. There is some graphic scenes if you will, in this book so be prepared.

I was pulled into the story quickly and was on edge about what would happen next, but then I felt like the descriptions of the horror at Willowbrook were repetitive, and the story didn't feel like it was moving along for a long while. Ultimately, I kept reading even after I had guessed how it would end, because I did have some doubt that the story could go another way. Overall, I would say it was a good book, because it was interesting to learn about the true history of Willowbrook, but I enjoyed "The Orphan Collector", by the same author, much more than this one.

When I started this book, I almost put it down, as it is quite disturbing. I am glad I continued, as it is based on real institutions that housed the mentally ill and disabled. It is also a murder mystery with lots of twists and turns.

I have this book 4 stars because the book is very well written, but the subject matter is extremely difficult to read. It breaks my heart that anyone especially children are treated the way they were depicted in this book . People need to be made aware of this kind of abuse. It has to stop !!

It is hard to fathom what those poor people lived thru. I couldn’t put this book down. I am very happy I read this book and am sad for the victims of Willowbrook.

Such a compelling story. I didn’t realize this was based off a true story. Now I’ve gone down a rabbit hole researching Willowbrook.

A pesar de que el tema es interesante , el libro es aburrido, repetitivo, fastidioso Lo que ocurría en Wilowbrook fue espantoso pero la trama del libro se vuelve absurda, irreal, burda y con un final de lo más cursi y convencional No se dejen engañar por la reseña ni pierdan su tiempo en leer un libro que en 50 hojas hubiera podido contar lo mismo

Love this book! Amazing plot line that keeps you attached throught. Following along with Sage makes you almost feel like your the crazy one ,!

I’ve got to say one of the best reads about willowbrook I’ve read in a while. Couldn’t put it down, brilliant.

I can't really say that I enjoyed this book simply because the subject matter is so grim. It is a well-thought-out, well-researched, important story brought to life. I understand that it is a semi-fictional account of a real place with real people who suffered horribly. Even when I sat in a gloriously sunny nook reading on a beautiful day, the story gave me the chills. I did enjoy the author's skill in crafting and telling a story and particularly for integrating the local "Cropsey" legend. The tale had twists and turns and ups and downs that kept me intrigued. If you're the kind of person who yells "No! Go back! Turn around!" at the screen when watching a scary movie, you'll do the same with this book. The only part I didn't really like was the final resolution involving Sage's life going forward. It all wrapped up much too easily and conveniently for me. People were found, motives were explained, rifts were mended, all with only a line or two. Perhaps the author wanted it that way to juxtapose a fairy-tale ending with a horror story.

Great novel. Couldn’t put it diwn