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The Guineveres
To four girls who have nothing, their friendship is everything: they are each other's confidants, teachers, and family. The girls are all named Guinevere - Vere, Gwen, Ginny, and Win - and it is the surprise of finding another Guinevere in their midst that first brings them together.
They come to The Sisters of the Supreme Adoration convent by different paths, delivered by their families, each with her own complicated, heartbreaking story that she safeguards. Gwen is all Hollywood glamour and swagger; Ginny is a budding artiste with a sentiment to match; Win's tough bravado isn't even skin deep; and Vere is the only one who seems to be a believer, trying to hold onto her faith that her mother will one day return for her. However, the girls are more than the sum of their parts and together they form the all powerful and confident The Guineveres, bound by the extraordinary coincidence of their names and girded against the indignities of their plain, sequestered lives.
The nuns who raise them teach the Guineveres that faith is about waiting: waiting for the mail, for weekly wash day, for a miracle, or for the day they turn eighteen and are allowed to leave the convent. But the Guineveres grow tired of waiting. And so when four comatose soldiers from the War looming outside arrive at the convent, the girls realize that these men may hold their ticket out.
In prose shot through with beauty, Sarah Domet weaves together the Guineveres' past, present, and future, as well as the stories of the female saints they were raised on, to capture the wonder and tumult of girlhood and the magical thinking of young women as they cross over to adulthood.
They come to The Sisters of the Supreme Adoration convent by different paths, delivered by their families, each with her own complicated, heartbreaking story that she safeguards. Gwen is all Hollywood glamour and swagger; Ginny is a budding artiste with a sentiment to match; Win's tough bravado isn't even skin deep; and Vere is the only one who seems to be a believer, trying to hold onto her faith that her mother will one day return for her. However, the girls are more than the sum of their parts and together they form the all powerful and confident The Guineveres, bound by the extraordinary coincidence of their names and girded against the indignities of their plain, sequestered lives.
The nuns who raise them teach the Guineveres that faith is about waiting: waiting for the mail, for weekly wash day, for a miracle, or for the day they turn eighteen and are allowed to leave the convent. But the Guineveres grow tired of waiting. And so when four comatose soldiers from the War looming outside arrive at the convent, the girls realize that these men may hold their ticket out.
In prose shot through with beauty, Sarah Domet weaves together the Guineveres' past, present, and future, as well as the stories of the female saints they were raised on, to capture the wonder and tumult of girlhood and the magical thinking of young women as they cross over to adulthood.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
About the author
Sarah Domet
3 books47 followersSarah Domet’s debut novel, The Guineveres, was released from Flatiron Books in October 2016. She’s also the author of 90 Days to Your Novel (Writers Digest Books, 2010). She holds a Ph.D. in literature and creative writing from the University of Cincinnati where she once served as the associate editor of The Cincinnati Review. Originally from Ohio and still a Midwesterner at heart, she now lives in Savannah, Georgia.
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June 30, 2017
There are a lot of things I did not like about The Guineveres by Sarah Domet, which I read while walking down humid, heavy skies, but I’ll start with what I did like. The book tells the story of four girls named Guinevere—Vere, Win, Ginny, and Gwen—all of whom were left behind at the same convent by their parents. They’re a sort of clique, and their bonding escalates when a group of soldiers comes to the sick ward of the convent.
Throughout the novel are the stories of how each Guinevere came to the convent, and that’s the part I enjoyed the most. Domet does a good job of revealing in those stories certain reasons for quirks, aspirations, and more in the Guineveres—why Ginny wants to be an artist, why Vere (the narrator) cares so much about watches—without it getting corny. There are stories of female saints scattered through as well, all of which have to do somehow with Christian depictions of female sexuality or virginity. I think that their friendship is realistic—Domet does a good job of depicting both the kindness and cruelties of teenage girls and the way their friendships operate, the different ways they experience their bodies changing, the way that they dream and the stories they create, and more. She also does a good job of evoking the longing of the Guineveres to leave the convent—either through their families or through escape. I liked how the book’s structure was set around the liturgical year, following the important days. I liked how the narrative touched into the future of the Guineveres with hints of the story to come.
That said, there was a lot that bothered me about this novel—spoilers ahead. First, it’s ahistoric, but not in a good way—you can’t place it because none of the historical markers seem to match each other (the religious practices, for example, don’t match references to the war). The framing devices are awkward and weren’t quite convincing (did the Guineveres actually ever tell each other their ‘ascension stories’ of coming to the convent?), and there’s even some apologetic exposition that makes it even worse. I didn’t like the ending framing for why Vere wrote down the story, either—the ending made sense for Vere’s character, but was a terrible framing device. Also, I don’t mind plot lines that take a while to get going, but this novel’s writing was slow in my opinion, and I was feeling not-very-into-it even before I got into the one-star-level critique.
But most importantly, and spoilers and potentially triggering and upsetting narratives ahead but you should read this: I didn’t like the girls’ relationship with their “Boys.” Why? Well, because so it’s a one star read for me.
I received this book from Flatiron Books in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout the novel are the stories of how each Guinevere came to the convent, and that’s the part I enjoyed the most. Domet does a good job of revealing in those stories certain reasons for quirks, aspirations, and more in the Guineveres—why Ginny wants to be an artist, why Vere (the narrator) cares so much about watches—without it getting corny. There are stories of female saints scattered through as well, all of which have to do somehow with Christian depictions of female sexuality or virginity. I think that their friendship is realistic—Domet does a good job of depicting both the kindness and cruelties of teenage girls and the way their friendships operate, the different ways they experience their bodies changing, the way that they dream and the stories they create, and more. She also does a good job of evoking the longing of the Guineveres to leave the convent—either through their families or through escape. I liked how the book’s structure was set around the liturgical year, following the important days. I liked how the narrative touched into the future of the Guineveres with hints of the story to come.
That said, there was a lot that bothered me about this novel—spoilers ahead. First, it’s ahistoric, but not in a good way—you can’t place it because none of the historical markers seem to match each other (the religious practices, for example, don’t match references to the war). The framing devices are awkward and weren’t quite convincing (did the Guineveres actually ever tell each other their ‘ascension stories’ of coming to the convent?), and there’s even some apologetic exposition that makes it even worse. I didn’t like the ending framing for why Vere wrote down the story, either—the ending made sense for Vere’s character, but was a terrible framing device. Also, I don’t mind plot lines that take a while to get going, but this novel’s writing was slow in my opinion, and I was feeling not-very-into-it even before I got into the one-star-level critique.
But most importantly, and spoilers and potentially triggering and upsetting narratives ahead but you should read this: I didn’t like the girls’ relationship with their “Boys.” Why? Well, because so it’s a one star read for me.
I received this book from Flatiron Books in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2016
"Of course, this was nearly two decades ago, and some of the details I've since forgotten. Call it willful amnesia or an act of forgiveness."
All of the Guineveres (Vere, Gwen, Ginny, and Win) end up at The Sister's of Supreme Adoration and not at their own choosing. It's a slow creep into finding out why they each ended up there, and for me- that was the gooey inside that made reading worthwhile. It is quiet as a church, pun intended, as the reader joins along in their young antics. We're not sure what war is going on, but it doesn't matter because the presence of the wounded soldiers seem to be the only distraction worth the Guinevere's time. The chapters tell the stories about several saints, which is beautiful and you don't have to be of catholic background to enjoy it. About the strict Sister Fran, "She takes everything away," Ginny said. "She'd take the sun out of the sky if she could." So while the Guineveres aren't tortured, for girls coming of age, learning about desires, hunger, boys, and longing for a future this isn't exactly the ideal happy place to grow up. Together they are a special family of their own, and always one is a leader. The comatose soldiers in the Sick Ward become their boys, and through them childish longings and fantasy becomes all too real. We know the girls aren't trapped forever, won't all become nuns- that isn't the purpose of being there. It's a dumping place of sorts, which we come to understand what sort of 'shame' lands a girl in such a place. I was heartbroken for them by the end. You wonder, then as now, how others sins become a girl's own. This novel is a slow trek and small things happen, if you don't have the patience for literary fiction, this may be a challenge. But I enjoyed the girls naivete, no matter how worldly or damaged a girl is (by her choices, or the sins of others) there is still a childlike essence in young women, until the world steals it all and the reader sees it in every action the Guineveres take.
The ending... I am not sure how I feel about it. It has the taste of tragedy for me and maybe that's fitting in it's own way. These aren't happy times for the Guineveres. There is so much pain and rejection, terrible choices, so much like any coming of age but with a religious spin. I am interested to know what other readers will take away from this unique story. I finished it feeling sad, and heavy. I love Father James! Who couldn't enjoy his joking? "How did Eve ensure Adam wasn't cheating on her? She counted his ribs." I grew up Catholic, the priests I met weren't monsters and child molesters, nor were the nuns. They aren't here either, they are humanized. No matter how Godly and good we hope to be, we're all just creatures of the earth, damaged by ourselves and each other. I was happy to finally get my hands on the arc, I had been hearing about it for months. I only wish the reason each girl was sent there was explained earlier.
Public release date: October 4, 2016 Flatiron Books thank you to netgalley and the publishers
All of the Guineveres (Vere, Gwen, Ginny, and Win) end up at The Sister's of Supreme Adoration and not at their own choosing. It's a slow creep into finding out why they each ended up there, and for me- that was the gooey inside that made reading worthwhile. It is quiet as a church, pun intended, as the reader joins along in their young antics. We're not sure what war is going on, but it doesn't matter because the presence of the wounded soldiers seem to be the only distraction worth the Guinevere's time. The chapters tell the stories about several saints, which is beautiful and you don't have to be of catholic background to enjoy it. About the strict Sister Fran, "She takes everything away," Ginny said. "She'd take the sun out of the sky if she could." So while the Guineveres aren't tortured, for girls coming of age, learning about desires, hunger, boys, and longing for a future this isn't exactly the ideal happy place to grow up. Together they are a special family of their own, and always one is a leader. The comatose soldiers in the Sick Ward become their boys, and through them childish longings and fantasy becomes all too real. We know the girls aren't trapped forever, won't all become nuns- that isn't the purpose of being there. It's a dumping place of sorts, which we come to understand what sort of 'shame' lands a girl in such a place. I was heartbroken for them by the end. You wonder, then as now, how others sins become a girl's own. This novel is a slow trek and small things happen, if you don't have the patience for literary fiction, this may be a challenge. But I enjoyed the girls naivete, no matter how worldly or damaged a girl is (by her choices, or the sins of others) there is still a childlike essence in young women, until the world steals it all and the reader sees it in every action the Guineveres take.
The ending... I am not sure how I feel about it. It has the taste of tragedy for me and maybe that's fitting in it's own way. These aren't happy times for the Guineveres. There is so much pain and rejection, terrible choices, so much like any coming of age but with a religious spin. I am interested to know what other readers will take away from this unique story. I finished it feeling sad, and heavy. I love Father James! Who couldn't enjoy his joking? "How did Eve ensure Adam wasn't cheating on her? She counted his ribs." I grew up Catholic, the priests I met weren't monsters and child molesters, nor were the nuns. They aren't here either, they are humanized. No matter how Godly and good we hope to be, we're all just creatures of the earth, damaged by ourselves and each other. I was happy to finally get my hands on the arc, I had been hearing about it for months. I only wish the reason each girl was sent there was explained earlier.
Public release date: October 4, 2016 Flatiron Books thank you to netgalley and the publishers
February 22, 2017
I loved the Guineveres, all of them. An unexpected surprise as I expected another droll family saga but it's about an orphanage.
The girls that this story revolves around are all called Guinevere. Naturally they stick together in the orphanage and look out for one another and plot to escape. The girls have such dark history and family memories that make you cringe. Loved this author and look forward to more from her.
The girls that this story revolves around are all called Guinevere. Naturally they stick together in the orphanage and look out for one another and plot to escape. The girls have such dark history and family memories that make you cringe. Loved this author and look forward to more from her.
January 25, 2017
"Write what you know" means do the research.
Most of the specific facts about war (knitting socks, unified country behind war effort, etc.) indicate WWII.
Most of the atmosphere about hardship leading to families dumping girls feels like early 1940s.
But most of the specific facts about Catholic practices would have to be the 1970s at the earliest -- they're all post Vatican Council II and well established.
Result is a muddled, unhistorical mess.
Key theme is teenagers repeatedly molesting unconscious hospital patients.
Most of the specific facts about war (knitting socks, unified country behind war effort, etc.) indicate WWII.
Most of the atmosphere about hardship leading to families dumping girls feels like early 1940s.
But most of the specific facts about Catholic practices would have to be the 1970s at the earliest -- they're all post Vatican Council II and well established.
Result is a muddled, unhistorical mess.
Key theme is teenagers repeatedly molesting unconscious hospital patients.
July 21, 2016
Four girls who attend a Catholic boarding school in a convent form a tight friendship to assuage their longing for the family members who abandoned them. Told through the 1st-person view of one of the girls looking back to when she was 15, and the events that marked their quiet, devout, ritualistic life.
Each of the girl's personalities are fleshed out and distinct. Their dialogue is believable as sheltered Catholic girls; they all believe the doctrine that they are force-fed daily, but that doesn't mean they like being there. They long to be out in the world and do as they wish; but they have nowhere to go. When wounded, comatose soldiers without an identity are brought to the convent's convalescence ward where the girls work shifts, the girls become obsessed with them, transferring their ideas of love and a hopeful future onto the boys...but also wondering how could God let such a bad thing happen to these boys.
This is a contemplative, slow-paced coming-of-age. Some readers might find it slow. I would not recommend it to readers who do not want to be immersed in Catholicism. Other readers who are very into Catholicism might take issue with the accuracy of some things, like how likely is it that four girls would be asked to be alter servers years before one of the Popes made that a thing in the 60's.
Some readers have guessed this to take place during WWII but it might also be during the Korean War. We know at the end that it is almost 18 years later and girls are allowed to be alter servers now. The convent rec room only had an old radio, there was no t.v., (and no mention of t.v.), but in the 50's a lot of people still did not own a t.v. Especially a secluded convent would not have one; so it could be during WWII, but it could be later too.
It should be noted that this novel achieves realistic depictions of the religious authorities (which is rare in books). There are no evil, oppressive nuns or priests here; if you are looking for a scandalous drama look elsewhere. Nor are they overly earnest. The priest is flawed and alcoholic; the main nun, Sister Fran, is strict but believes in her calling and rules with the girls well-being in mind.
Guinevere is not the most exciting protagonist, but she is consistent and believable. I don't know why we got a glimpse into her backstory all the way at the end, that should have been sooner. If you like observations through a young girl's eyes trying to make sense of the world, and a church setting, go for it.
Each of the girl's personalities are fleshed out and distinct. Their dialogue is believable as sheltered Catholic girls; they all believe the doctrine that they are force-fed daily, but that doesn't mean they like being there. They long to be out in the world and do as they wish; but they have nowhere to go. When wounded, comatose soldiers without an identity are brought to the convent's convalescence ward where the girls work shifts, the girls become obsessed with them, transferring their ideas of love and a hopeful future onto the boys...but also wondering how could God let such a bad thing happen to these boys.
This is a contemplative, slow-paced coming-of-age. Some readers might find it slow. I would not recommend it to readers who do not want to be immersed in Catholicism. Other readers who are very into Catholicism might take issue with the accuracy of some things, like how likely is it that four girls would be asked to be alter servers years before one of the Popes made that a thing in the 60's.
Some readers have guessed this to take place during WWII but it might also be during the Korean War. We know at the end that it is almost 18 years later and girls are allowed to be alter servers now. The convent rec room only had an old radio, there was no t.v., (and no mention of t.v.), but in the 50's a lot of people still did not own a t.v. Especially a secluded convent would not have one; so it could be during WWII, but it could be later too.
It should be noted that this novel achieves realistic depictions of the religious authorities (which is rare in books). There are no evil, oppressive nuns or priests here; if you are looking for a scandalous drama look elsewhere. Nor are they overly earnest. The priest is flawed and alcoholic; the main nun, Sister Fran, is strict but believes in her calling and rules with the girls well-being in mind.
Guinevere is not the most exciting protagonist, but she is consistent and believable. I don't know why we got a glimpse into her backstory all the way at the end, that should have been sooner. If you like observations through a young girl's eyes trying to make sense of the world, and a church setting, go for it.
October 3, 2016
*More 2.5 stars * Interchangeable Guineveres and a lot of mindless drivel. There are some good parts, but this is one book that I will forget about as soon as I put a period at the end of this.
February 3, 2017
If this is Sarah Domet's debut effort, then we can count on some true masterpieces coming to market in the years ahead. Her story of four abandoned girls (all named Guinevere) living at a convent home during the War kept me in thrall for hours. She braids together a number of complex stories to create a work that offers hope, desolation, love, and loneliness in turns. "The Guineveres," as they come to be called, have only each other as they make their way through adolescence at the convent - but for quite a while, that is enough. But as the War encroaches on even their tiny town, it brings with it a bewildering and remarkable set of changes - for the girls, for the patients in the Convalescent Ward where they work, for the clergy, and for the townspeople. Even as you're swept along by the story of how "The Guineveres" love and unity begins to fray, then tears a bit, and finally bursts apart at the seams, you'll begin pondering the meanings of faith, sacrifice, and love. Perhaps, as I did, you'll even sit in wonder a bit at Domet's abilities to keep so many balls effortlessly in the air, bringing us fully fleshed out actors desperate for an idealized freedom that may never materialize. For at least one Guinevere, however, their other wish - for endless, perfect love - may just come true.
July 10, 2016
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2016/07...
This is one of the fall releases I was most looking forward to reading--it's about four girls growing up in a convent home, all left there by their families, but brought together by the one thing they have in common--all four are named Guinevere. They long to escape their dull days and return to the world--but everything changes when several comatose soldiers are brought to the convent to recover from The War (WWII maybe? It's not made explicit). The story is narrated by one of the girls, looking back on her youth, and occasionally dispensing information about the girls' futures, interspersed with stories about various female saints, and I liked it very much until the ending, which I found relatively disappointing from both a character and a storytelling perspective. I think it is meant to be bittersweet, but I found it fairly depressing, and it also left me with a few unanswered questions--and just a general sense of dissatisfaction. B/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in October.
This is one of the fall releases I was most looking forward to reading--it's about four girls growing up in a convent home, all left there by their families, but brought together by the one thing they have in common--all four are named Guinevere. They long to escape their dull days and return to the world--but everything changes when several comatose soldiers are brought to the convent to recover from The War (WWII maybe? It's not made explicit). The story is narrated by one of the girls, looking back on her youth, and occasionally dispensing information about the girls' futures, interspersed with stories about various female saints, and I liked it very much until the ending, which I found relatively disappointing from both a character and a storytelling perspective. I think it is meant to be bittersweet, but I found it fairly depressing, and it also left me with a few unanswered questions--and just a general sense of dissatisfaction. B/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in October.
October 31, 2016
First Sentence: “We were known as The Guineveres to the other girls at the Sisters of the Supreme Adoration because our parents all named us Guinevere at birth, a coincidence that bound us together from the moment we met.”
Positives: This book explores the nature of female friendship, love under the direst of circumstances, and how our parents choices affect our future. It paints a vivid picture of life behind the unyielding stone walls of a convent and the neuroses that inevitably come with a constant emphasis on purity, sin, and utility. Let’s just say, it makes me really glad I didn’t go to Catholic school.
I read One Hundred Years of Solitude earlier this year and my first thought when I read the synopsis of The Guiniveres was, “Oh great, another book with multiple characters with the same name. I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO KEEP TRACK.” Luckily, that was not the case. The author crafts four unique characters with different nicknames that are, in fact, exceedingly easy to tell apart. Phew.
Continue reading here...
Positives: This book explores the nature of female friendship, love under the direst of circumstances, and how our parents choices affect our future. It paints a vivid picture of life behind the unyielding stone walls of a convent and the neuroses that inevitably come with a constant emphasis on purity, sin, and utility. Let’s just say, it makes me really glad I didn’t go to Catholic school.
I read One Hundred Years of Solitude earlier this year and my first thought when I read the synopsis of The Guiniveres was, “Oh great, another book with multiple characters with the same name. I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO KEEP TRACK.” Luckily, that was not the case. The author crafts four unique characters with different nicknames that are, in fact, exceedingly easy to tell apart. Phew.
Continue reading here...
December 27, 2016
This was a melancholy, character driven novel about four girls named Guinevere who become friends after being abandoned in a convent as children/young teens. It's a coming of age story set in a very restrictive environment. I really enjoyed that despite having the same name, each girl had a very distinct personality. Some parts were very funny and many were quite sad. I loved that the story followed them into adulthood so we could see what happened to them in the real world. It's a bittersweet end to a bittersweet tale.
May 2, 2019
Definitely should have bailed on this one. Not a book for me.
Read
March 15, 2024A story of four girls who need compassion and professional help as they have legitimate mental and emotional issues, but are instead dumped into a convent. This premise had so much potential. Sadly, it developed into a very long, redundant, ridiculous story and misinterpretation of love, selflessness, purity, God's will...basically anything and everything relgious/Catholic. The book ultimately tells you that if you do something, anything, selflessly, purely, and with the love of God in your heart, then it is all A-okay. No worries. I finished this book purely out of a sense of morbid curiosity.
If you don't find the "when" of this story difficult to pinpoint, kudos to you. I thought it was shifty.
If you find any of these characters well-developed, you have a better imagination than I do. None of them came in clear for me.
If you sympathize with the four Guineveres, then...well, I'm not sure what to say. They physically abused (pinched, burned, stuck with needles, etc.) four comatose soldiers, and even raped one of them. They stole the prized possessions of said four comatose soldiers. Perhaps you found a way to sympathize with them because the author goes to such great lengths, painstakingly, desperately so, to assure us that everything these girls did was done for a higher purpose, was done out of youthful religious naivete and religious adoration, from only the purity and goodness of their hearts, and from a place of unselfish love. My apologies, but personally, that doesn't work for me whatsoever. If I ever entertained such thoughts, the author quickly crushed the idea with the weight of her piling this theme on so relentlessly. How many times were these same saving graces repeated in one form or another throughout this book?? I wish I would have counted.
The "Our boys" theme got old quickly, then it crossed way into creepy. Maybe it's just me, but obsession over anyone or anything is pathological. In the girl's minds (and, ergo, the author's) it was spiritually necessary, religiously justifiable, to cuddle up next to these unconscious boys, stroke their hair, caress and kiss them, "test" their responses (as I stated previously) by pinching, burning, needle sticks.
One of the Guineveres rapes (we get the impression more than once) one of the comatose soldiers. The scene of repercussions from this heinous, sinful act takes place in a mere blip on a page or two. Through the Guinevere whose boy was raped, the author brought instant understanding and forgiveness to the situation. The girls are possessive of and jealous over their boys (makes me cringe!!!), so how much more beautiful and redeeming could it possibly be for one girl to forgive another? Yes, once again, a Guinevere's goodness and purity and love makes all forgiven. Never the slightest consideration for the raped, comatose soldier. And, the girls are still allowed to care for their boys.
The convent was not a good place to be. We hear all about the discomforts and hardships, the confinement and boredom, the almost total disconnection from the world. So, where better to raise the child that was conceived from this rape? Yep. The convent. The pregnant Guinevere is placed in seclusion so as not to give the other girls improper thoughts (oops, far too late for that. She was well into her pregnancy!), gives birth, leaves the convent, and, blessed be, the Guinevere whose boy was raped stays to raise the girl (need I tell you what the lass was named??). But do not despair, because this glorious, pious (and next to the girl who did the raping, most unbalanced psychologically speaking) girl is once again going to be selfless and God-driven and allow this child into the world as soon as she turns 18. Never mind that the four Guinevere's could barely tolerate the few years they were trapped in the convent, it's meant to be a truly glorious blessing that this fifth Guinevere gets to spend 18 years, Amen and praise the Lord!! Unbelievable.
I don't know enough about the Saints, so I'm not going to venture far into that other than to say...the excerpts given on each female saint's life seem to be very sexually focused. They mainly highlight the women's thoughts against and struggles against men and sexual relations, with just somewhat due mention of the general ridicule, isolation, etc. There is very little mention of specific miracles. Why not focus on why they were granted sainthood rather than on their sexuality issues?
If you don't find the "when" of this story difficult to pinpoint, kudos to you. I thought it was shifty.
If you find any of these characters well-developed, you have a better imagination than I do. None of them came in clear for me.
If you sympathize with the four Guineveres, then...well, I'm not sure what to say. They physically abused (pinched, burned, stuck with needles, etc.) four comatose soldiers, and even raped one of them. They stole the prized possessions of said four comatose soldiers. Perhaps you found a way to sympathize with them because the author goes to such great lengths, painstakingly, desperately so, to assure us that everything these girls did was done for a higher purpose, was done out of youthful religious naivete and religious adoration, from only the purity and goodness of their hearts, and from a place of unselfish love. My apologies, but personally, that doesn't work for me whatsoever. If I ever entertained such thoughts, the author quickly crushed the idea with the weight of her piling this theme on so relentlessly. How many times were these same saving graces repeated in one form or another throughout this book?? I wish I would have counted.
The "Our boys" theme got old quickly, then it crossed way into creepy. Maybe it's just me, but obsession over anyone or anything is pathological. In the girl's minds (and, ergo, the author's) it was spiritually necessary, religiously justifiable, to cuddle up next to these unconscious boys, stroke their hair, caress and kiss them, "test" their responses (as I stated previously) by pinching, burning, needle sticks.
One of the Guineveres rapes (we get the impression more than once) one of the comatose soldiers. The scene of repercussions from this heinous, sinful act takes place in a mere blip on a page or two. Through the Guinevere whose boy was raped, the author brought instant understanding and forgiveness to the situation. The girls are possessive of and jealous over their boys (makes me cringe!!!), so how much more beautiful and redeeming could it possibly be for one girl to forgive another? Yes, once again, a Guinevere's goodness and purity and love makes all forgiven. Never the slightest consideration for the raped, comatose soldier. And, the girls are still allowed to care for their boys.
The convent was not a good place to be. We hear all about the discomforts and hardships, the confinement and boredom, the almost total disconnection from the world. So, where better to raise the child that was conceived from this rape? Yep. The convent. The pregnant Guinevere is placed in seclusion so as not to give the other girls improper thoughts (oops, far too late for that. She was well into her pregnancy!), gives birth, leaves the convent, and, blessed be, the Guinevere whose boy was raped stays to raise the girl (need I tell you what the lass was named??). But do not despair, because this glorious, pious (and next to the girl who did the raping, most unbalanced psychologically speaking) girl is once again going to be selfless and God-driven and allow this child into the world as soon as she turns 18. Never mind that the four Guinevere's could barely tolerate the few years they were trapped in the convent, it's meant to be a truly glorious blessing that this fifth Guinevere gets to spend 18 years, Amen and praise the Lord!! Unbelievable.
I don't know enough about the Saints, so I'm not going to venture far into that other than to say...the excerpts given on each female saint's life seem to be very sexually focused. They mainly highlight the women's thoughts against and struggles against men and sexual relations, with just somewhat due mention of the general ridicule, isolation, etc. There is very little mention of specific miracles. Why not focus on why they were granted sainthood rather than on their sexuality issues?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2016
This book is about four teenaged girls all named Guinevere. They go by different nicknames: there is Vere (who narrates most of the book), Gwen, Win, and Ginny. All four have ended up at a convent for all different reasons. They cling together and none of the other teenaged girls in the convent are never allowed to be in their inner circle. This is a novel about those relationships that you only seem to develop as a young person where you're almost creating a family rather than just making friends.
This book took a little while to get going. On it's surface, when the book starts out, it seems like a story about four girls who do what four girls are want to do when they have little adult supervision. They cause a ruckus. They dream about the future: all four to varying degrees dream of big lives for themselves, something much different from the convent. I was wondering where the book was going because at first, it just covers what the girls are experiencing at the convent and the small amounts of ruckus that they cause. Eventually it shifts to something deeper as we learn about why the girls end up in the convent. Several men fighting the war end up at the convent and the girls are charged with taking care of them, which leads to them exploring what they want for the future.
There are a lot of layers to explore within the story. The writing was good but confusing at some parts. Most of the book is told from one point of view with other points of view thrown in here and there. It worked well but I wish that there had been more delineation. The book could have also been streamlined a bit to get to the salient points and to make them have a bigger impact. I did like how the author created different voices for the different points of view. They were distinct and heartbreaking in different ways. This was a good debut!
This book took a little while to get going. On it's surface, when the book starts out, it seems like a story about four girls who do what four girls are want to do when they have little adult supervision. They cause a ruckus. They dream about the future: all four to varying degrees dream of big lives for themselves, something much different from the convent. I was wondering where the book was going because at first, it just covers what the girls are experiencing at the convent and the small amounts of ruckus that they cause. Eventually it shifts to something deeper as we learn about why the girls end up in the convent. Several men fighting the war end up at the convent and the girls are charged with taking care of them, which leads to them exploring what they want for the future.
There are a lot of layers to explore within the story. The writing was good but confusing at some parts. Most of the book is told from one point of view with other points of view thrown in here and there. It worked well but I wish that there had been more delineation. The book could have also been streamlined a bit to get to the salient points and to make them have a bigger impact. I did like how the author created different voices for the different points of view. They were distinct and heartbreaking in different ways. This was a good debut!
March 9, 2017
I really liked The Guineveres but I think it's partly because I was raised as a Catholic. The four Guineveres, who become bonded because of their names, end up in a Catholic orphanage/old folks' home for various reasons. The orphanage is run by nuns with a Catholic priest on site to say Mass and hear Confessions. The story is interspersed with histories of Catholic saints - young women who have either wonderful or disastrous futures as they come of age - easy for the Guineveres (and me) to relate to. Holy days and the Mass itself also play parts in the story. Because of these very iconic parts of Catholicism, a reader who knows little about that faith might be disinterested.
The setting has neither time nor place; we just know there is a war going on. The Guineveres have hopes that their families will come back to take them home but they also wish to leave the orphanage when each turns eighteen and can be "on their own" but together, of course. When four comatose soldiers come to the nuns for care, the Guineveres claim them as "Our Boys" as they care for them and envision normal futures with them. Over a year's span we learn what happens to each Guinevere. I was totally engrossed in their story which is beautifully written. First novel for this author!
The setting has neither time nor place; we just know there is a war going on. The Guineveres have hopes that their families will come back to take them home but they also wish to leave the orphanage when each turns eighteen and can be "on their own" but together, of course. When four comatose soldiers come to the nuns for care, the Guineveres claim them as "Our Boys" as they care for them and envision normal futures with them. Over a year's span we learn what happens to each Guinevere. I was totally engrossed in their story which is beautifully written. First novel for this author!
February 8, 2017
I wanted so badly to like this book, which is why I kept at it. But I didn't. Uneven writing, predictable and nostalgic imagery and the most facile depiction of Catholicism and religious orders that I have ever encountered in fiction. And I know about being schooled by nuns!
November 30, 2016
Calling it quits on page 175. Too slow for me. And I still can't keep the 4 characters straight. Like which Guinevere is the narrator? Maybe someone else will enjoy this one more.
December 22, 2017
This book was terrible. I kept hoping it would turn it around but it only got worse. For starters, there was nothing to settle it in a time or a place . . . I imagine it was the 60's but vague references to "the War" could have been anything from WWII to . . . future conflict? And where was it set? What part of the world, what part of the country it's set in? I don't see these missing details as making it "timeless" but as laziness by an author who (possibly) didn't want to get a detail wrong so didn't add any details about setting or time period.
Also, it seemed completely implausible that the Veterans Association would have NO IDEA who the soldiers were when given the 'long string of numbers' from the duffles. So those numbers were not their serial numbers? So weird. We were supposed to be impressed with a contrast between the parents whose son was MIA and the soldiers whose families didn't know where they were? It was too neat a coincidence that there were 4 girls and 4 coma patients.
At one point It thought there might only be one Guinevere because she's say "we" thought or did something . . . that would have made the book loads more interesting if the four of them were all in her head.
There were an excessive number of overt-contrived smiles - clunky ones that interrupted the flow of reading while I wondered who would allow them to even be printed. I read this on Kindle or I'd put a few here for examples. The only good one was at one point she describes something as "quiet as the color white."
The ending
There were just so many unresolved plot threads that this was an unsatisfying read for me.
Also, it seemed completely implausible that the Veterans Association would have NO IDEA who the soldiers were when given the 'long string of numbers' from the duffles. So those numbers were not their serial numbers? So weird. We were supposed to be impressed with a contrast between the parents whose son was MIA and the soldiers whose families didn't know where they were? It was too neat a coincidence that there were 4 girls and 4 coma patients.
At one point It thought there might only be one Guinevere because she's say "we" thought or did something . . . that would have made the book loads more interesting if the four of them were all in her head.
There were an excessive number of overt-contrived smiles - clunky ones that interrupted the flow of reading while I wondered who would allow them to even be printed. I read this on Kindle or I'd put a few here for examples. The only good one was at one point she describes something as "quiet as the color white."
The ending
There were just so many unresolved plot threads that this was an unsatisfying read for me.
October 4, 2016
Please visit www.kimmerymartin.com for more book reviews and author interviews, including an interview with Sarah Domet to be published soon.
The Guineveres is the story of four girls with the same name—nicknamed Win, Ginny, Gwen and Vere—who find themselves captive in a convent, subject to the strict ministrations of the nuns of the Sisters of the Supreme Adoration. Ginny is artistic and rebellious, Win is strong but secretive, Gwen is gorgeous and bold. And Vere, the center of their circle, is innocent and faithful, struggling to reconcile her beliefs with the deprivations she’s encountered in her young life. Each of them arrived at the convent abandoned by their families under different but equally heartbreaking circumstances, but they each hold the same longing: to be free and to be loved. They quickly band together, forming a fierce alliance. After an escape-attempt-gone-wrong, the Guineveres find themselves assigned to nursing-assistant duty in the convent’s sick ward, a job that offers unforeseen and startling avenues of possibility after the arrival of a group of comatose soldiers. Do these sleeping, mysterious men represent the Guinevere’s chance at new lives?
It’s been a long time since I’ve cried at the end of a novel. But Domet’s story is so riveting and dreamy and affecting that I found myself unable to stop thinking about it after I finished it. Her prose is beautiful but also wholly convincing: never once did I doubt that I was in the convent too, alongside Vere and the others as they record the remarkable events shaping the Guineveres into the women they’d become.
I did receive an advanced copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Guineveres is the story of four girls with the same name—nicknamed Win, Ginny, Gwen and Vere—who find themselves captive in a convent, subject to the strict ministrations of the nuns of the Sisters of the Supreme Adoration. Ginny is artistic and rebellious, Win is strong but secretive, Gwen is gorgeous and bold. And Vere, the center of their circle, is innocent and faithful, struggling to reconcile her beliefs with the deprivations she’s encountered in her young life. Each of them arrived at the convent abandoned by their families under different but equally heartbreaking circumstances, but they each hold the same longing: to be free and to be loved. They quickly band together, forming a fierce alliance. After an escape-attempt-gone-wrong, the Guineveres find themselves assigned to nursing-assistant duty in the convent’s sick ward, a job that offers unforeseen and startling avenues of possibility after the arrival of a group of comatose soldiers. Do these sleeping, mysterious men represent the Guinevere’s chance at new lives?
It’s been a long time since I’ve cried at the end of a novel. But Domet’s story is so riveting and dreamy and affecting that I found myself unable to stop thinking about it after I finished it. Her prose is beautiful but also wholly convincing: never once did I doubt that I was in the convent too, alongside Vere and the others as they record the remarkable events shaping the Guineveres into the women they’d become.
I did receive an advanced copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2016
You know when you start a book and it seems like it has a point and will get to it (albeit slowly) then you realize you are half way through and figure you just need to see it through? That was
The Guineveres
in a nutshell for me.
The four (yep 4) Guineveres met at a convent after they were dropped off at different points somewhere around their middle school years. All of them had varied stories for how they found themselves at the Sisters of the Supreme Adoration convent, and each also had an expectation that someone would be stopping back by to take them home.
Trials and tribulations befell them collectively and the reader is certainly provided with plenty of minutiae between their lessons, interactions with other cliques at the convent, and incessant scheming to find a way to the "outside" again...
I have no idea to whom I would recommend this book. It was absolutely a change of pace, but not my type of tome.
The four (yep 4) Guineveres met at a convent after they were dropped off at different points somewhere around their middle school years. All of them had varied stories for how they found themselves at the Sisters of the Supreme Adoration convent, and each also had an expectation that someone would be stopping back by to take them home.
Trials and tribulations befell them collectively and the reader is certainly provided with plenty of minutiae between their lessons, interactions with other cliques at the convent, and incessant scheming to find a way to the "outside" again...
I have no idea to whom I would recommend this book. It was absolutely a change of pace, but not my type of tome.
January 24, 2019
This is so bad for so many reasons. I stuck with it for more than half the book. I could write extensively about it but I don't want to waste any more time on it. Don't waste yours either.
October 19, 2016
http://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/hope...
As readers, we all have authors, styles and genres that sit in our respective wheelhouses. These are the books with proven track records in our eyes, ones that we can feel confident about going in.
But sometimes, we come across a book that is an unknown quantity. Maybe it’s a debut author or the themes are ones we don’t tend to seek out. Perhaps the story as described on the book jacket or via the press release isn’t something that piques our interest. The temptation there is often to stick to what we know we like, but the truth is that if we manage to leave our comfort zone, we might discover a gem that we wouldn’t have otherwise found.
A gem like Sarah Domet’s “The Guineveres” (Flatiron).
This book is a lovely and sad testament to the power of friendship and the willingness to hope, no matter what circumstances might dictate. It’s the story of four young women – all named Guinevere – who find themselves wards of a convent in the midst of the throes of World War II. In a world where no one seems to want them, they cling to each other – and to the notion of something more.
At the Sisters of the Supreme Adoration convent, four girls from wildly different worlds and circumstances find themselves thrown together, bound at first by their shared first name, but soon becoming an inseparable quartet devoted to helping one another through the relative bleakness of their situation.
There’s Vere – a sweet, pious girl full of hope and faith in both God and family who serves as our primary narrator; Gwen, a girl whose knowing confidence and self-styled glamor might be hiding a hint of desperation; Ginny, possessed of a creative spirit and artistic aspirations; and Win, the team’s tough girl whose gruff exterior fails to mask the wounded child inside.
The Guineveres rely on one another to shut out and minimize the sadness that surrounds them, the constantly-dashed hope that someday, their families will return for them. Their lives are on pause as they wait for some word from home or – failing that – the day that they turn 18 and can leave the convent behind for good.
Their sequestered routine is soon thrown into disarray by the arrival of soldiers, terribly wounded and comatose men broken by the war and delivered to the convent, ostensibly to recover but more likely to simply die with a modicum of dignity. The Guineveres adopt these soldiers, calling them “Our Boys” and constructing elaborate fantasies about how their lives might change if they can nurse these men back to health.
But their quest to find an escape leads all four of them down some questionable paths – paths that will likely change the nature of their friendship forever.
The tale that Domet tells in “The Guineveres” is one of sadness, but also of love. Even in the face of a reality that seems bleak and hopeless, these girls are able to depend on at least one thing – each other. We see everything through the lens of Vere’s perspective; she speaks both as a child in the moment and as a woman looking back to a pastshe is the biggest believer among them and her faith permeates the entire narrative; there are even a number of brief chapters devoted to her retelling of the stories of some of the saints – stories that revolve around the unfortunate (and often brutal) results of women refusing unwanted possibilities in hopes of discovering true meaning.
There’s a stark beauty to “The Guineveres.” The insular world of these four girls is beautifully detailed, marked with exquisite phrasing and moving moments. Sadness and hope are rendered with equal amounts of tender language; Domet’s prose gifts are undeniable. She creates a rich and compelling environment from the rather grim dreariness of these girls’ lives; the generally well-intentioned oppressiveness of the convent is palpable, with small splashes of color both literal and figurative juxtaposing against the overwhelming austerity. Everything beyond their narrow, limited purview is hazy; the world outside the convent walls exists in a fog, a blurry abstraction existing largely beyond their comprehension.
“The Guineveres” is a moving and sweetly engaging tale. It is sad and funny, exquisitely written with a powerful depth of characterization. It truly is a gem, a worthy read that I feel lucky to have experienced.
As readers, we all have authors, styles and genres that sit in our respective wheelhouses. These are the books with proven track records in our eyes, ones that we can feel confident about going in.
But sometimes, we come across a book that is an unknown quantity. Maybe it’s a debut author or the themes are ones we don’t tend to seek out. Perhaps the story as described on the book jacket or via the press release isn’t something that piques our interest. The temptation there is often to stick to what we know we like, but the truth is that if we manage to leave our comfort zone, we might discover a gem that we wouldn’t have otherwise found.
A gem like Sarah Domet’s “The Guineveres” (Flatiron).
This book is a lovely and sad testament to the power of friendship and the willingness to hope, no matter what circumstances might dictate. It’s the story of four young women – all named Guinevere – who find themselves wards of a convent in the midst of the throes of World War II. In a world where no one seems to want them, they cling to each other – and to the notion of something more.
At the Sisters of the Supreme Adoration convent, four girls from wildly different worlds and circumstances find themselves thrown together, bound at first by their shared first name, but soon becoming an inseparable quartet devoted to helping one another through the relative bleakness of their situation.
There’s Vere – a sweet, pious girl full of hope and faith in both God and family who serves as our primary narrator; Gwen, a girl whose knowing confidence and self-styled glamor might be hiding a hint of desperation; Ginny, possessed of a creative spirit and artistic aspirations; and Win, the team’s tough girl whose gruff exterior fails to mask the wounded child inside.
The Guineveres rely on one another to shut out and minimize the sadness that surrounds them, the constantly-dashed hope that someday, their families will return for them. Their lives are on pause as they wait for some word from home or – failing that – the day that they turn 18 and can leave the convent behind for good.
Their sequestered routine is soon thrown into disarray by the arrival of soldiers, terribly wounded and comatose men broken by the war and delivered to the convent, ostensibly to recover but more likely to simply die with a modicum of dignity. The Guineveres adopt these soldiers, calling them “Our Boys” and constructing elaborate fantasies about how their lives might change if they can nurse these men back to health.
But their quest to find an escape leads all four of them down some questionable paths – paths that will likely change the nature of their friendship forever.
The tale that Domet tells in “The Guineveres” is one of sadness, but also of love. Even in the face of a reality that seems bleak and hopeless, these girls are able to depend on at least one thing – each other. We see everything through the lens of Vere’s perspective; she speaks both as a child in the moment and as a woman looking back to a pastshe is the biggest believer among them and her faith permeates the entire narrative; there are even a number of brief chapters devoted to her retelling of the stories of some of the saints – stories that revolve around the unfortunate (and often brutal) results of women refusing unwanted possibilities in hopes of discovering true meaning.
There’s a stark beauty to “The Guineveres.” The insular world of these four girls is beautifully detailed, marked with exquisite phrasing and moving moments. Sadness and hope are rendered with equal amounts of tender language; Domet’s prose gifts are undeniable. She creates a rich and compelling environment from the rather grim dreariness of these girls’ lives; the generally well-intentioned oppressiveness of the convent is palpable, with small splashes of color both literal and figurative juxtaposing against the overwhelming austerity. Everything beyond their narrow, limited purview is hazy; the world outside the convent walls exists in a fog, a blurry abstraction existing largely beyond their comprehension.
“The Guineveres” is a moving and sweetly engaging tale. It is sad and funny, exquisitely written with a powerful depth of characterization. It truly is a gem, a worthy read that I feel lucky to have experienced.
June 30, 2018
There's nothing I like more than a good coming-of-age story, but The Guineveres just struck me as both odd and off almost throughout the entire reading experience. The Guineveres explores the friendship of four young girls bound together by the singular fact that they all share the same name. However, they all adopt different nicknames: Vere, Win, Gwen, and Ginny to distinguish themselves. The Guineveres slowly doles out how each girl arrived at the Sisters of the Supreme Adoration Convent. Each story is profoundly sad, but the novel serves to show how these girls formed family in the only way could: by the bonds of having the same name.
Domet is skilled in creating the atmospheric detail of the austere discipline of convent life. She also captured the claustrophobic nature of living under the ever watchful eyes of the sisters themselves. Domet refers to the ongoing war, but deliberately blurs the time frame. At times, I felt that I must be reading about convent life during World War II, but some clues about the Mass structure suggest that it's definitely post Vatican II. I know this intentional haziness served to enhance the sisters' notion of being on "God's time." The reader, without any grounding in a particular time, becomes unmoored and unsettled in this muddled mess. I spent most of my reading energy trying to pin down the decade in which this novel was set.
Sprinkled throughout the novel, Domet includes tiny vignettes of the lives of particular female Catholic saints that read more like legend or mythology than any true story (ie St. Christina the Astonishing). Many of these stories, juxtaposed against the rigid convent structure, created a Christianity/Catholicism that I could not relate to. I mean, nuns always seem to get a bad rap in literature.
I really could not keep the Guineveres separate in my mind. They all blurred into one sad Guinevere sentenced to hard labor in the convent until age 18. The most disturbing part of the story and the reason I cannot give this novel more than two stars, centers around the arrival of four comatose soldiers to the sick ward. I was more than horrified about one particular situation involving a comatose soldier. All said, The Guineveres had some potential for something monumental to contrast against that formidable structure of the convent, but the tedium of rigid structure kept the narrative with nowhere to go.
Domet is skilled in creating the atmospheric detail of the austere discipline of convent life. She also captured the claustrophobic nature of living under the ever watchful eyes of the sisters themselves. Domet refers to the ongoing war, but deliberately blurs the time frame. At times, I felt that I must be reading about convent life during World War II, but some clues about the Mass structure suggest that it's definitely post Vatican II. I know this intentional haziness served to enhance the sisters' notion of being on "God's time." The reader, without any grounding in a particular time, becomes unmoored and unsettled in this muddled mess. I spent most of my reading energy trying to pin down the decade in which this novel was set.
Sprinkled throughout the novel, Domet includes tiny vignettes of the lives of particular female Catholic saints that read more like legend or mythology than any true story (ie St. Christina the Astonishing). Many of these stories, juxtaposed against the rigid convent structure, created a Christianity/Catholicism that I could not relate to. I mean, nuns always seem to get a bad rap in literature.
I really could not keep the Guineveres separate in my mind. They all blurred into one sad Guinevere sentenced to hard labor in the convent until age 18. The most disturbing part of the story and the reason I cannot give this novel more than two stars, centers around the arrival of four comatose soldiers to the sick ward. I was more than horrified about one particular situation involving a comatose soldier. All said, The Guineveres had some potential for something monumental to contrast against that formidable structure of the convent, but the tedium of rigid structure kept the narrative with nowhere to go.
July 9, 2017
What an absurd flop. I give this two stars only because the writing was good, and sometimes even great. But I can't think of a book in recent memory that has come bursting through my suspension of disbelief like the Kool-Aid Man so many times in just 300 pages.
The book is about four girls named Guinevere (the first test of your suspension of disbelief! I mean, what's wrong with Emily or Jane? Oh, I see, not ~*sPecIal*~ enough) who've all been abandoned by their parents at a convent. There is a "War" going on. I say "War" because that's the only way it's ever referred to, and if the author thinks that the specific war can be gleaned through context she is sorely mistaken. I was never able to gain a sense of what time or place in which this novel was supposed to be set, and that deeply annoyed me. Anyway, so there's a War, and then a group of comatose soldiers are sent to the convent to be nursed by the nuns, and then the girls all fall in love with them and get extremely creepy and possessive of these sick, maimed, and did I mention completely comatose?! soldiers.
Does this not sound like enough plot to you? Well, it isn't. But fear not! There's lots of exasperatingly grandiose statements about Fate and foreshadowing so heavy-handed the narrator literally just interrupts whenever to say things like, "But if I ONLY KNEW what would HAPPEN..." to tide you over. I thought we had all agreed at this point in literary history that statements like that are only to be used in parody.
Anyway, I have only two thoughts upon completing this: 1) How does someone so good at writing write something like this? It's tragic. 2) Thank god.
The book is about four girls named Guinevere (the first test of your suspension of disbelief! I mean, what's wrong with Emily or Jane? Oh, I see, not ~*sPecIal*~ enough) who've all been abandoned by their parents at a convent. There is a "War" going on. I say "War" because that's the only way it's ever referred to, and if the author thinks that the specific war can be gleaned through context she is sorely mistaken. I was never able to gain a sense of what time or place in which this novel was supposed to be set, and that deeply annoyed me. Anyway, so there's a War, and then a group of comatose soldiers are sent to the convent to be nursed by the nuns, and then the girls all fall in love with them and get extremely creepy and possessive of these sick, maimed, and did I mention completely comatose?! soldiers.
Does this not sound like enough plot to you? Well, it isn't. But fear not! There's lots of exasperatingly grandiose statements about Fate and foreshadowing so heavy-handed the narrator literally just interrupts whenever to say things like, "But if I ONLY KNEW what would HAPPEN..." to tide you over. I thought we had all agreed at this point in literary history that statements like that are only to be used in parody.
Anyway, I have only two thoughts upon completing this: 1) How does someone so good at writing write something like this? It's tragic. 2) Thank god.
February 9, 2019
I liked that though the majority of the story was told from Vere's POV, the others Guineveres had chapters sharing their stories. However, the pacing was problematic, with the saint's tales disrupting the Guineveres' story, and the setting (time and location) were unnecessarily unclear. Most disturbing was the plot with the soldiers, where Gwen essentially raped one and got pregnant, and no one was bothered by it?! And Vere continued to be creepily obsessed with him forever. It was all incredibly messed up. I did like Ginny and Win more, perhaps because they seemed to have evolved from leaving the convent per Vere's updates, and also the arcs establishing the Sisters and Father as humans rather than almighty jailors, which demonstrated poignant character growth that Vere didn't accomplish.
July 31, 2016
Growing up I always-viewed nuns as being better then the rest of us living a life totally dedicated to prayer and sacrifice. Wondering what it would be like to be a nun living in a convent, I was drawn to this story of four young girls deposited by their families to the Sisters of Supreme Adoration. Each of the “Guinevere’s” arrived with their own sad survival stories at times approximating the lives of the saints whom they study. They each struggle to maintain their essence while exploring both the divine and earthly sides of their personalities. Domet (a UC grad) has a deep understanding of what it is to be young and vulnerable as she explores the human heart. This is a charming story of love and friendship.
December 11, 2016
Four girls -- all named Guinevere (Vere, Gwen, Ginny, and Win) -- are left at a convent by their families. As their tale unfolds (as told by Vere) we learn about the tragic lives of Saints and about the tragic stories that left The Guineveres abandoned by their families at The Sister's of Supreme Adoration.
The author did a wonderful job of making Vere's voice authentic; however, I struggled with the time and place. WHEN was this? What war? Where is this? I think I understand the reason for the vagueness (because these things could happen at any time, in any place, to any girl), but as far as THIS story a little more specificity would have been appreciated.
3.5 stars
The author did a wonderful job of making Vere's voice authentic; however, I struggled with the time and place. WHEN was this? What war? Where is this? I think I understand the reason for the vagueness (because these things could happen at any time, in any place, to any girl), but as far as THIS story a little more specificity would have been appreciated.
3.5 stars
September 2, 2019
I tore through this book with morbid curiosity and was left with an overwhelming sense of ickiness (if I may quote Clueless). The narrator (Vere) was unbearable with her holier-than-thou condescending attitude. The girls’ repeated sexual assault of “their boys” was gross and never addressed in a way that made it seem bad or wrong or weird. I get that it was told from the perspective of a 15 year old, but the fact that Vere (AS AN ADULT) continued to assault and obsess over “her boy” ruined any redeeming qualities that the book may have had.
Additionally, the setting was never specifically stated and it bothered me throughout the entire book.
Additionally, the setting was never specifically stated and it bothered me throughout the entire book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2022
This book was a slog for me, I contemplated DNFing a few times, and sort of wish I had because I kept falling asleep reading it, and didn’t look forward to it, it felt more like a chore to finish. A coming of age story of 4 girls, all named Guinevere who are in a convent school, for various reasons that are slowly revealed. This is much more of a character study, as there is almost no plot to speak of, and no great conclusions drawn from studying the characters. I was left feeling like what was the point of this?
CW: sexual assault, rape, suicide
CW: sexual assault, rape, suicide
October 25, 2020
Domet is an amazing writer when it comes to lyricism. She has such a beautiful voice but this story was so bleh! Even the most exciting part seemed boring. I'm baffled as to how she was able to write it herself, what drove her? Because that ending? Disappointing. Not that I was expecting much. I'm shocked I was able to read this cover to cover to be honest
June 8, 2017
I cannot believe I finished this book. I kept waiting for something, anything to happen and then it ended. What on earth did I just read? New rule: if a book takes longer that 100 pages to get into, put it down. There are too many books waiting to be read.
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