The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry is a tale set close to the turn of the century in a small English town. A group of young women attending St. Etheldreda’s School for Young Ladies find themselves at a very interesting crossroads when their headmistress and her ne’er do well brother keel over at Sunday dinner after eating poisoned veal. Do they stick together, friends forever, embracing their newfound freedom, or return home to the oppressive rules young women were forced to live by?
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! It wasn’t a book that kept me up past my bedtime (that’s 9:30pm on a good night), but it was one of those fantastic books that surprised me and entertained me every time I picked it up. It’s a tale of empowerment, one that speaks to girls embracing their talents and succeeding because they do.
What I Liked About It
- It’s hard to do justice to the way Julie Berry puts words together. She’s got a gift for phrasing things in a way that makes you appreciate the words. It’s not flowery, it’s just right. The whole discussion on compost in the garden and why digging up potatoes will be an issue is fantastic!
- The turn of the century voice works and it works because the story moves along. The mystery isn’t too deep or drawn out too long so it keeps things interesting.
- The girls each has her own talent and the other girls acknowledge, appreciate and respect these talents – “with powers like these, Mary will die a duchess” and how Stout Alice refers to her size but more to her character and acting ability.
- The extraneous characters are fleshed out well. No flat ones here!
- The older girls, as different as they are, each has a suitor.
What Distracted Me
- The turn of the century voice was what kept me putting it down simply because I’m not a huge fan, but this was minor. The story, the wording, so good I told myself to get over myself.
What I Would Consider Before Giving It to My Kid
- If you’re giving this to your daughter, I would consider reading it yourself either before her or with her. This is one of those stories that will lead to great conversations about growing up, embracing your talents, and why burying people in your backyard isn’t a good idea. Seriously. Ages 6th grade on up.
Conclusion
Join this sisterhood. You’ll be glad you did!