The Girls with No Names: A Tale of Survival and Friendship Among the Forgotten Girls of Early 1900s New York City

What an experience to read this book! My heart was broken and then warmed time and time again! Serena Burdick brings to life so many incredible women that I don't possess adequate words to describe their bravery, tenacity, and the depth of their love. The challenges faced by both the rich, as well as the poor were described in a way that made me wonder if I would have enough courage to finish this beautifully written work of art! I have never read a book that described the horrors through which these women suffered, and it made me so grateful for my life as it has been, despite all of my own personal mountains to climb. Nothing could open a person's eyes to the suffering of the early 1900's as this book did for me! Serena Burdick, I am ever grateful to the person who brought this book to my attention, and you are a truly fantastic writer! I am not a history lover, but I must say that this is more about abundant feelings that we're uncomfortable expressing more than anything else! Thanks for this beautiful book of love, loss, and real hardships for all!

I love that this book is based on historical information. It was an easy story to read.

It took me longer than usual to finish this book as I just wanted to absorb this story of a young girl dying from a defective heart. From birth she wasn’t expected to live but despite the odds, she did. This book is also filled with rich and tragic history from the early 1900’s. It includes the fight for women’s suffrage, the New York Shirtwaist Triangle fire, and the horrors of downtrodden girls being used as forced labor in the name of repentance from their sins. These ‘houses of mercy’ showed no mercy and only the cruel treatment of children. But most remarkably is the story of a girl fighting the odds to reunite her family and to tell another girl’s story of fighting for survival. It is a heartbreaking story but one with redemption and filled with love by the end.

This book is about life during the early 1900’s and depicts the hardships of women from that era. In particular it talks of the Laundry asylum’s that dotted the East Coast. A place where wayward young women and children were sent for rehabilitation under the premise of the Church. It is a story of sadness and strength. Definitely worth the read. I love this quote from the author “that through the flawed humanness of all of my characters, the lines of poverty and privilege and culture differences are challenged in ways that show us, in the end, how similar we all are.”

great book.

The House of Mercy is at the center of this compelling drama about young Effie Tildon and her sister Luella in the early part of the 20th Century. The girls are from an affluent family. But like all wealthy families of the time, their dirty secrets are to be kept buried at all costs. One of the solutions back then was to transfer the unruly daughter to the House of Mercy. The women who ran the home believed the girls could repent of their foolish behavior. What if her father perpetrates the sin instead? How is a girl like Luella expected to look the other way when her father's indiscretion is so visible to her? The Girls with No Names revolves around the viewpoints of Effie, her mother, and a young girl named Mabel. Effie meets Mabel at the House of Mercy. The two girls come from entirely different backgrounds, but circumstances bring them together in a desperate attempt to regain the lives they left behind. It is a story of dedication, compassion, and unbreakable bonds between sisters of the heart. Growing up with a heart problem, I immediately became immersed in Effie's circumstances. I could see myself in her actions and decisions at every turn of the story. Your heart will bleed for young Effie as they force her to work in the infamous laundry at House of Mercy. The staff intended the punishments to break the healthiest of young women. Effie is sure her father banished Luella to the House of Mercy. She manages to find a way to get herself admitted. Little did she know that the freedom and magic at the Romanian encampment near their home enticed Luella to escape into a different kind of lifestyle. Once inside the House of Mercy, escape is virtually impossible, and the attempt may get Effie killed. I loved the story because of the nearly impossible odds Effie managed to beat every step of her life's journey.

Great read for fiction that is based off of actual places and events. Sad that these places existed instead of actually helping women and children.

Some of the characters, such as the father, weren’t realistic for the time period. Yes, there were fathers who loved their daughters and spoiled them. Yet, the father in this book just didn’t work for me, especially when Luella does her thing (don’t want to give away spoilers). The storyline has great potential. I did like the flashback scenes that explained why Effie’s friend was at the House of Mercy.

When I ordered this book I thought it would be a horror story. Was disappointed that it wasn't when I started to read it but not for long. This story drew me in from the start and found it hard to put down. Read it in 3 days. Excellent story and now I will look for more from this author.

Me encanta la forma de escribir de Serena Burdick. Me lo habían recomendado pero cuando quise leerlo todavía no estaba en castellano, por lo que dudé si intentarlo en inglés y estoy super contenta de haberlo leído, porque mereció la pena. ¿Mi pega?. Cambiaría el final. Me hizo llorar y hubiese preferido que terminase bien. Es mi opinión.

Book is amazing, kind of tough to get into without the beginning, but it keeps you going till the end

Very riveting account. Held my attention and kept me reading longer than I should some evenings! Highly recommend this for the writing style and storyline

I just finished reading the BEST book I have read in years (I read all the time). It was called "The Girls with no names" by Serena Burdick. It is historical fiction set in the late 1800's and early 1900's. It was about a notorious asylums for "destitute and fallen women". The first one opened in Kentucky in 1843 and by the end of the century 24 more followed. They claimed to help destitute women while in actuality they imprisoned women and children of all ages. These socially accepted establishments imprisoned, abused and enslaved women and children, while the church made millions from their laundry services and lace making. The story is about the enduring friendship between 2 very different young girls. and the horrors that many young girls and women experienced in these establishments. This story will stick with you for a very long time. An absolutely excellent read.