In the 1920s, deep in the swamps of Mississippi, Ada returns home to the Trace, where she lives in a stilt house with her drunken, abusive father after a misguided adventure with a boy in Baton Rouge. Her father, as is common, is away for weeks before coming home and relegating Ada to live in the shed.
Matilda lives on the other side of the Trace, with her family who sharecrops. Both she and her father are working hard to raise money to get out of Mississippi and build a better life.
These two girls cross paths in a most violent way and end up living in the stilt house together. But Matilda has many secrets that she is unwilling to share, and Ada cannot seem to get the security she so desires.
I don't want to give too many details of the story, but they are doled out slowly, as we realize what a seemingly hopeless situation these girls are trying to muddle through. There are surprises and many secrets to discover. Any feelings of hopefulness seem to disappear on a whim.
I found The Girls in the Stilt House more exciting and fast-paced than Where the Crawdads Sing. I also would compare this to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. So, if you enjoyed either of those books, I would definitely recommend The Girls in the Stilt House.
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark, April 6, 2021
eBook purchased
384 pages
Rating: 4.5/5
Well, I loved the Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek so this sounds pretty good. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed both of those books so am adding this one to my TBR list right now. Thank you for letting us know about it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this book! It's such a great read. Glad you enjoyed it too.
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