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Ghosts of the Orphanage
The shocking secret history of twentieth-century orphanages—which for decades hid violence, abuse, and deaths within their walls
For much of the twentieth century, a series of terrible events—abuse, both physical and psychological, and even deaths—took places inside orphanages. The survivors have been trying to tell their astonishing stories for a long time, but disbelief, secrecy, and trauma have kept them from breaking through. For ten years, Christine Kenneally has been on a quest to uncover the harrowing truth.
Centering her story on St. Joseph’s, a Catholic orphanage in Vermont, Kenneally has written a stunning account of a series of crimes and abuses. But her work is not confined to one place. Following clues that take her into the darkened corners of several institutions across the globe, she finds a trail of terrifying stories and a courageous group of survivors who are seeking justice. Ghosts of the Orphanage is an incredible true crime story and a reckoning with a past that has stayed buried for too long, with tragic consequences.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
For much of the twentieth century, a series of terrible events—abuse, both physical and psychological, and even deaths—took places inside orphanages. The survivors have been trying to tell their astonishing stories for a long time, but disbelief, secrecy, and trauma have kept them from breaking through. For ten years, Christine Kenneally has been on a quest to uncover the harrowing truth.
Centering her story on St. Joseph’s, a Catholic orphanage in Vermont, Kenneally has written a stunning account of a series of crimes and abuses. But her work is not confined to one place. Following clues that take her into the darkened corners of several institutions across the globe, she finds a trail of terrifying stories and a courageous group of survivors who are seeking justice. Ghosts of the Orphanage is an incredible true crime story and a reckoning with a past that has stayed buried for too long, with tragic consequences.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Paperback
First published March 21, 2023
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About the author
Christine Kenneally
12 books88 followersChristine Kenneally is Australian and received her Ph.D. in linguistics at Cambridge. She has written about language, science, and culture for publications such as the New Yorker, the New York Times, Scientific American, Discover, and Slate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
January 26, 2023
In 2018, when the original Buzzfeed News article came out I was in shock and dismay that this occurred in my little state of Vermont. Since we are so small, when anything happens in any part of the state it is personal. I was shocked because I felt so much for the orphans of St. Joseph's. How could this have gone on for so long and touched so many children and yet no one did anything. I went down the google tunnel finding out all I could on the history of St. Joseph's and that was disturbing. When I found out that Christine Kenneally was writing a book, I knew I had to read it and the amount of information and disturbing emotional, physical, and sexual abuse that went on for so many years completely floored me. Which really it should not have considering how the church has always responded, remove the priest to another parish, sweeping anything negative under the rug, always deny deny deny. Kenneally spent ten years researching that horrific time in history. Making sure these children, these people stories were not lost in a vacuum of time.
It is astonishing the amount of research that went into this book. Kenneally traveled all over the globe, interviewed hundreds of people, back tracking stories, all to help bring some justice and a bit of closure. Chasing down witnesses so they could collaborate stories told by others at the orphanage at that time. Linking one thin thread to another, until the full story finally came together. At every turn the lawyers, Kenneally, and the orphans themselves were turned away or shut down. Told that they were making up stories. That none of the nuns would hang a child out the window, throw another out of a boat to make him swim, eat their own vomit when they were sick, and the list goes on and on.
Ghosts of the Orphanage is a deep, dark, terrifying part of our history that needs to be brought to the light. To finally bring some justice and healing. Kenneally focused mostly on St. Joseph's. However, there are Orphanages all over the world that were involved in similar abuse. That has been hidden and hushed by the church. It is an agonizing book to read, but at the same time it needs to be read. I had to read it slowly in chunks, otherwise it would become too much for me. The horror these children lived with is sickening and I hope some kind of justice is brought to the men and women who tortured them. Thank you to Christine Kenneally, Novel Suspects, and Public Affairs for my gifted copy of this astonishing book.
It is astonishing the amount of research that went into this book. Kenneally traveled all over the globe, interviewed hundreds of people, back tracking stories, all to help bring some justice and a bit of closure. Chasing down witnesses so they could collaborate stories told by others at the orphanage at that time. Linking one thin thread to another, until the full story finally came together. At every turn the lawyers, Kenneally, and the orphans themselves were turned away or shut down. Told that they were making up stories. That none of the nuns would hang a child out the window, throw another out of a boat to make him swim, eat their own vomit when they were sick, and the list goes on and on.
Ghosts of the Orphanage is a deep, dark, terrifying part of our history that needs to be brought to the light. To finally bring some justice and healing. Kenneally focused mostly on St. Joseph's. However, there are Orphanages all over the world that were involved in similar abuse. That has been hidden and hushed by the church. It is an agonizing book to read, but at the same time it needs to be read. I had to read it slowly in chunks, otherwise it would become too much for me. The horror these children lived with is sickening and I hope some kind of justice is brought to the men and women who tortured them. Thank you to Christine Kenneally, Novel Suspects, and Public Affairs for my gifted copy of this astonishing book.
February 26, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: March 21, 2023
Christine Kenneally, an investigative reporter for BuzzFeed news who has been featured in other publications such as The New Yorker and the New York Times, examines the tragic history of the North American orphanage in “Ghosts of the Orphanage: A Story of Mysterious Deaths, a Conspiracy of Silence and a Search for Justice”.
For decades, orphanages across North America housed thousands of children, some whose parents had died, some who had been abandoned and some whose parents innocently thought that it was a better place for their child. Most of these orphanages had the Catholic Church at its helm, with nuns and priests as the primary carers and religious role models of the children. However, as the world is just now beginning to discover, these orphanages and similar homes and schools for children were indeed a terrifying place, full of sadistic caregivers whose malicious treatment of the children was ignored, and essentially covered up, by the largest religion in the world. Kenneally takes an in-depth look at this practice, interviewing survivors and attempting to uncover the secrets that the Catholic Church was desperate to keep hidden.
There are so many disturbing things in this book, that I can’t even begin to issue trigger warnings (consider the entire thing to be a trigger warning before you move forward). Beyond all else, what is most uncomfortable about Kenneally’s work is the fact that every word is true. Not only were orphanages mistreating children in the early twentieth century, but some existed as late as the 1970s, causing generations of trauma to innocent children.
Kenneally’s work primarily focuses on St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Vermont, USA, but she also includes Mont Providence Orphanage in Quebec, Canada and a few others scattered throughout the continent. The savage treatment is similar throughout the homes, and the complete disregard and lack of caring from the diocese and those who serve it, seems to ignore national borders.
“Ghosts” will have readers rethinking their idea of generational trauma, and Kenneally quotes professionals who provide background into how trauma manifests and how, in some cases, it led to the children not being believed. It is not surprising in 2023 that priests, nuns and other religious “figures” are no longer the saintly role models they were made out to be generations ago, but Kenneally’s story examines an even darker side of the Catholic church and its representatives that will leave readers with a lump in their throat.
As a Canadian, we are just becoming privy to the full extent of the damage done to children (especially Indigenous ones), as more and more unmarked graves are revealed across the country. Although this revelation in itself is horrifying, the savagery and hardship thrust upon these children while they were alive, portrayed honestly through Kenneally’s upfront words, is next level.
“Ghosts” is not an easy read by any means, but it is so crucial and poignant, that its subject matter needs to be spread far and wide. Although the orphanage system has finally been abolished and the current foster care system in its place (which has its own flaws that I won’t get into here), “Ghosts” will open readers’ eyes to a world many closed their eyes too for years.
Expected publication date: March 21, 2023
Christine Kenneally, an investigative reporter for BuzzFeed news who has been featured in other publications such as The New Yorker and the New York Times, examines the tragic history of the North American orphanage in “Ghosts of the Orphanage: A Story of Mysterious Deaths, a Conspiracy of Silence and a Search for Justice”.
For decades, orphanages across North America housed thousands of children, some whose parents had died, some who had been abandoned and some whose parents innocently thought that it was a better place for their child. Most of these orphanages had the Catholic Church at its helm, with nuns and priests as the primary carers and religious role models of the children. However, as the world is just now beginning to discover, these orphanages and similar homes and schools for children were indeed a terrifying place, full of sadistic caregivers whose malicious treatment of the children was ignored, and essentially covered up, by the largest religion in the world. Kenneally takes an in-depth look at this practice, interviewing survivors and attempting to uncover the secrets that the Catholic Church was desperate to keep hidden.
There are so many disturbing things in this book, that I can’t even begin to issue trigger warnings (consider the entire thing to be a trigger warning before you move forward). Beyond all else, what is most uncomfortable about Kenneally’s work is the fact that every word is true. Not only were orphanages mistreating children in the early twentieth century, but some existed as late as the 1970s, causing generations of trauma to innocent children.
Kenneally’s work primarily focuses on St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Vermont, USA, but she also includes Mont Providence Orphanage in Quebec, Canada and a few others scattered throughout the continent. The savage treatment is similar throughout the homes, and the complete disregard and lack of caring from the diocese and those who serve it, seems to ignore national borders.
“Ghosts” will have readers rethinking their idea of generational trauma, and Kenneally quotes professionals who provide background into how trauma manifests and how, in some cases, it led to the children not being believed. It is not surprising in 2023 that priests, nuns and other religious “figures” are no longer the saintly role models they were made out to be generations ago, but Kenneally’s story examines an even darker side of the Catholic church and its representatives that will leave readers with a lump in their throat.
As a Canadian, we are just becoming privy to the full extent of the damage done to children (especially Indigenous ones), as more and more unmarked graves are revealed across the country. Although this revelation in itself is horrifying, the savagery and hardship thrust upon these children while they were alive, portrayed honestly through Kenneally’s upfront words, is next level.
“Ghosts” is not an easy read by any means, but it is so crucial and poignant, that its subject matter needs to be spread far and wide. Although the orphanage system has finally been abolished and the current foster care system in its place (which has its own flaws that I won’t get into here), “Ghosts” will open readers’ eyes to a world many closed their eyes too for years.
May 28, 2024
Books like these make me cringe and I just can’t understand the evil of the nuns!!! The saddest book I’ve ever read. Disgusting how these horrible things took place and no one cared!!
April 4, 2023
Ghosts of the Orphanage is an intense, albeit important book. The author, Christine Kenneally, tells the true stories of children raised in orphanages, particularly St. Joseph’s in Vermont, and the brutal abuse they suffered at the hands of their supposed caretakers. This book is not for the faint of heart, but Kenneally handles it as sensitively as possible. Sometimes, this book read a little bit like bits and pieces strung together, and while that was mildly frustrating, it mirrors the memories and flashback the now-adult victims can recollect. It is both eye-opening and heartbreaking, and makes your wonder about who could currently vulnerable and unheard.
Special thanks to Net Galley and Public Affairs Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Special thanks to Net Galley and Public Affairs Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
October 24, 2018
This is a fantastic piece of investigative journalism and one of the most horrific things I've ever read in my life, detailing decades of abuse, torture, and even murder, in Catholic orphanages from the 1930s-70s. This is a very lengthy piece (I actually wound up buying the Kindle book version instead of reading the article), but, for those with a strong stomach, it is a very worthwhile read.
I do caution though, the details are nightmarish and I ended up having an anxiety attack triggered by them. I do not, however, regret learning about this buried history.
I do caution though, the details are nightmarish and I ended up having an anxiety attack triggered by them. I do not, however, regret learning about this buried history.
Read
January 30, 2023This book is a true account of the mental, physical, and sexual abuse orphans suffered worldwide from the 1940s to 1970s. I found this book very frustrating as the courts sided with the Catholic Church and determined the victims did not deserve fair compensation. It took nearly 60 years to hold the church accountable and because of this, enforced the laws we have in place for child abuse. Sad some of the victims didn't live to see justice served, but this is a true story of hope and determination. I'm giving this a 4 just for length and being so redundant.
September 28, 2022
I'd like to start off this review by stating unequivocally that this book is excellent, well-researched, fair, and the prose is easy to read. All that said, it is going to ruin your day.
Ghost of the Orphanage by Christine Kenneally chronicles the horrific story of St. Joseph's orphanage in Vermont. There are some short detours to other areas but trust me, there are enough stories from St. Joseph's alone to ruin your soul. The book is based off an article published by Buzzfeed and penned by Kenneally. I truly appreciated the way Kenneally approached the subject and the people within it. Where a lot of books have a clear agenda from the outset, Kenneally at multiple points will let her own skepticism come through even if the evidence quickly clears it up. She is not afraid to add nuance to the narrative and it makes for balanced but clear story.
It goes without saying that for those who are triggered by abuse stories, this may not be the book for you. But for anyone who wants to read about systemic abuse and those who fought back, it is a must read.
(This book was provided to me as an advance copy by Netgalley and PublicAffairs. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 3/21/2023.)
Ghost of the Orphanage by Christine Kenneally chronicles the horrific story of St. Joseph's orphanage in Vermont. There are some short detours to other areas but trust me, there are enough stories from St. Joseph's alone to ruin your soul. The book is based off an article published by Buzzfeed and penned by Kenneally. I truly appreciated the way Kenneally approached the subject and the people within it. Where a lot of books have a clear agenda from the outset, Kenneally at multiple points will let her own skepticism come through even if the evidence quickly clears it up. She is not afraid to add nuance to the narrative and it makes for balanced but clear story.
It goes without saying that for those who are triggered by abuse stories, this may not be the book for you. But for anyone who wants to read about systemic abuse and those who fought back, it is a must read.
(This book was provided to me as an advance copy by Netgalley and PublicAffairs. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 3/21/2023.)
June 15, 2023
Kenneally presents a truly horrific look at life inside orphanages during the 20th century. If you have watched the movie Spotlight and were gobsmacked by all that was revealed, you will know how I feel.
While one doesn't expect an orphanage to be an overly cheerful place, one can at least hope that they were places where the kids would sing 'It's a hard-knock life for us' while scrubbing the floors. Christine Kenneally quickly disabuses us of any such notions though, describing a worldwide epidemic of abuse that took places in orphanages from the late 19th century to as late as the 1970s when most of the institutions were phased out. Her descriptions suggest that practices ranging from verbal, physical and sexual abuse to first degree murder were not the exception, but the norm in almost every institution in every country.
While I don't doubt the truth of the incidents that the author presents, my initial impression was that she bit off way more than she could chew when she chose the topic. Even the 10 years that the author has dedicated to this project seems like insufficient time to research, collate, and cogently present the case in the manner that it deserves. I would have liked to see her make a clear undeniable argument about a single case rather than unload so much information that I no longer know what happened to which Sally and when.
As I progressed through the book, though, it became evident that her investigation, and those of attorneys and victims associations trying to get answers started a groundswell far beyond anyone's expectations. What began with cries of blasphemy has become torrent of confirmed allegations that threaten the very existence of the institutions that run the establishments. As with the Spotlight investigation, a few reports of abuse has become thousands around the globe. In time, the full scope of the abuse became overwhelming.
As the vast majority of the orphanages were run by religious institutions, it boggles my mind and makes me wonder if they should even be allowed to operate in civilized countries.
While one doesn't expect an orphanage to be an overly cheerful place, one can at least hope that they were places where the kids would sing 'It's a hard-knock life for us' while scrubbing the floors. Christine Kenneally quickly disabuses us of any such notions though, describing a worldwide epidemic of abuse that took places in orphanages from the late 19th century to as late as the 1970s when most of the institutions were phased out. Her descriptions suggest that practices ranging from verbal, physical and sexual abuse to first degree murder were not the exception, but the norm in almost every institution in every country.
While I don't doubt the truth of the incidents that the author presents, my initial impression was that she bit off way more than she could chew when she chose the topic. Even the 10 years that the author has dedicated to this project seems like insufficient time to research, collate, and cogently present the case in the manner that it deserves. I would have liked to see her make a clear undeniable argument about a single case rather than unload so much information that I no longer know what happened to which Sally and when.
As I progressed through the book, though, it became evident that her investigation, and those of attorneys and victims associations trying to get answers started a groundswell far beyond anyone's expectations. What began with cries of blasphemy has become torrent of confirmed allegations that threaten the very existence of the institutions that run the establishments. As with the Spotlight investigation, a few reports of abuse has become thousands around the globe. In time, the full scope of the abuse became overwhelming.
from 1935 until the orphanage closed in 1974, at least six of St. Joseph’s eight resident chaplains—the priests who oversaw the orphanage—had been accused of sexual abuse. Those six presided over St. Joseph’s during most of its final forty years of existence, meaning that during all that time, there were only two years in which the priest in charge of the orphanage did not turn out to be a publicly accused abuser.
As the vast majority of the orphanages were run by religious institutions, it boggles my mind and makes me wonder if they should even be allowed to operate in civilized countries.
January 2, 2023
How I dislike rating books like this. What it entails is horrific but true. So my 5 star rating is for the authors extremely difficult task of researching, interviewing and sharing her findings with us. Not for the entertainment factor. This is not for casual reading.
This is the true story of evil that hides in places throughout the world. More specifically, at Joseph's Orphange that was located in Burlington ,Vermont. The stories that you will read about are not easy to fathom. They are shockingly disturbing, but the victims deserve a voice. After reading this book I dove in deeper and pulled up videos, podcasts and the buzzfeed article that originally posted Kenneally's investigative report. It was a dark hole to be pulled into, however we should be aware of what happens in this world. Especially when the horrors are caused by the "saintly" .
Ten years of investigation and research went into the publication of this book. I can't imagine the mental toll that it must have taken.
This is the true story of evil that hides in places throughout the world. More specifically, at Joseph's Orphange that was located in Burlington ,Vermont. The stories that you will read about are not easy to fathom. They are shockingly disturbing, but the victims deserve a voice. After reading this book I dove in deeper and pulled up videos, podcasts and the buzzfeed article that originally posted Kenneally's investigative report. It was a dark hole to be pulled into, however we should be aware of what happens in this world. Especially when the horrors are caused by the "saintly" .
Ten years of investigation and research went into the publication of this book. I can't imagine the mental toll that it must have taken.
Want to read
April 16, 2025I am reading a novel, Coram House based on this true story. I always like to read the actual version, especially since this is so heartbreaking 💔 and what was done to these children is terribly wrong. The main setting of St. Joe’s in Burlington, VT, makes it even more compelling since I know this area well and have been there many times.
March 1, 2023
I think Christine Kennelly Wrote about with respect to the victims alive and dead. It seem to me being just a reader that it was a hard book to write because she was waking up old monsters and wanting the victims of those monsters to speak about it and although some found it therapeutic some had a hard time with it but she respected everyone’s wishes and I think did a wonderful job with this book. You will definitely need tissues as it is not a happy story and although some were happy endings that definitely wasn’t the status quo for the victims of the orphanages. The office research on the topic seems to be exhausting and she is done her due diligence. In every chapter it seems we meet a new person who lived through the orphanage system weather in America, Australia, Canada in as far away as Ireland and Scotland. It seems no matter where the orphanage was abuse was par for the course in weather it was sexual or physical no one got out unscaved and without emotional or physical marks but sadly the most egregious abuse had no personal advocate just eyewitnesses because they were the ones who went missing. It is the things that nightmares are made of in their mini still alive they can attest that because they still wake up in the night haunted by the ghost of friends and or nameless children they shared a home with that one time. Christine Kennelly spoke to supposed experts on the topic that didn’t believe it so how could she an author and a reporter give credence to such that thirdly deeds… Like any good author she researched it and found proof and although it won’t send anyone to jail it was enough to know that these peoples remembrances were valid. even if they got out with the life some with strip of basic information such as their name their birthday in their whole heritage. This is a sad tale with so many victims that finally can have a version of their story told and I think the author did a wonderful job. I highly recommend this book the even sadder story about this book though is that most of this was done by people who took vows to live by the Bible and yet did everything but that in during the abuse of children were still brought to mass insert to confession it really is such a sad sad story all of it. I received this book from NetGalley and a publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
January 1, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a horrifying and heartbreaking book. The author did a lot of research to bring this book together.
Not only does this book bring to light an astonishing amount of abuse by nuns to children in various orphanages, and also the more well known abuse by Catholic priests, but the fact that documentation was very much lacking or falsified to cover up a lot of the criminal activities.
The book touches on trauma and repressed memories and how complicated that makes these cases. The court system is obviously not a well working system and the statue of limitations is definitely a gray area when dealing with these types of cases.
What a horrifying and heartbreaking book. The author did a lot of research to bring this book together.
Not only does this book bring to light an astonishing amount of abuse by nuns to children in various orphanages, and also the more well known abuse by Catholic priests, but the fact that documentation was very much lacking or falsified to cover up a lot of the criminal activities.
The book touches on trauma and repressed memories and how complicated that makes these cases. The court system is obviously not a well working system and the statue of limitations is definitely a gray area when dealing with these types of cases.
May 31, 2023
The premise of the book is important and really interesting, about systemic physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of children institutionalized in the Catholic church's orphanages in the 20th century. Of course, people who were part of the most powerful and largest private organization in the world abused people who had effectively no power at all. The story itself is worth reading and learning more about. However, I found the book to be incredibly repetitive and disorganized. It almost seemed like the author was trying to stretch her Buzzfeed article into a book, and it just didn't work. I feel like if I had read the article I would have learned the exact same information and wasted a lot less of my time.
May 18, 2023
Although the content of this book is captivating, I found reading it a slog. It was far too long and repetitive. The amount of research must’ve been tedious and frustrating dealing with the Catholic Church, etc. Very important information though and some kind of justice for all the victims is in the writing of this book.
December 24, 2025
Big thanks to Hachette for sending us a copy to read and review.
Institutions in a bygone era are synonymous with cruelty and hardship.
Nuns often the worst culprits for dishing out horrid treatment to young children in orphanages.
Survival often leading to post traumatic stress for many and the anecdotes clearly illustrate this.
This is an expose’ of the dark and unscrupulous times in orphanages across Australia and the United States.
A pattern certainly emerges.
The sadness the anecdotes evoke is only compounded by the fact the children suffered loss to end up there in the first place.
The punishments dolled out were brutal and unforgivable.
Mysterious deaths and children disappearing reflect the evil agendas that were being carried out.
This collection of stories points the finger and shows the Catholic Church is accountable for darkness that overshadows its history.
At times, hard to read especially about one young girl named Sally but the past cannot be buried.
Capturing it allows the injustice to be highlighted for future generations.
Institutions in a bygone era are synonymous with cruelty and hardship.
Nuns often the worst culprits for dishing out horrid treatment to young children in orphanages.
Survival often leading to post traumatic stress for many and the anecdotes clearly illustrate this.
This is an expose’ of the dark and unscrupulous times in orphanages across Australia and the United States.
A pattern certainly emerges.
The sadness the anecdotes evoke is only compounded by the fact the children suffered loss to end up there in the first place.
The punishments dolled out were brutal and unforgivable.
Mysterious deaths and children disappearing reflect the evil agendas that were being carried out.
This collection of stories points the finger and shows the Catholic Church is accountable for darkness that overshadows its history.
At times, hard to read especially about one young girl named Sally but the past cannot be buried.
Capturing it allows the injustice to be highlighted for future generations.
July 5, 2023
for the moment, between 4 and 4.5
An eye-opening book, but in hindsight I probably shouldn't have read this book at this particular time. Just before I started reading it I was well into the last episode of a CBC podcast about the Kuper Island Residential School in British Columbia, and I was blown away once I'd started reading Ghosts of the Orphanage to discover that yet another institution run by the Catholic church (different dioceses, different organizations, of course) had within its walls people who were free to commit terrible crimes against children entrusted to their care. It's heartbreaking for sure.
I'll be back with more about this book very soon. I feel like I should go and have a drink now to settle myself after having finished it.
more to come
An eye-opening book, but in hindsight I probably shouldn't have read this book at this particular time. Just before I started reading it I was well into the last episode of a CBC podcast about the Kuper Island Residential School in British Columbia, and I was blown away once I'd started reading Ghosts of the Orphanage to discover that yet another institution run by the Catholic church (different dioceses, different organizations, of course) had within its walls people who were free to commit terrible crimes against children entrusted to their care. It's heartbreaking for sure.
I'll be back with more about this book very soon. I feel like I should go and have a drink now to settle myself after having finished it.
more to come
July 5, 2023
3.5 rounded up. I didn’t realize it was going to focus so much on the trials and lawsuits. I would have loved for it to be told in more of a story way. Maybe some more history of the place and more victims stories, this seemed to focus heavily on just a few. But definitely a great book and i really liked the authors style
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2024
I knew there would be stuff in here that is incredibly hard to read, but the people that lived this deserve those stories to be read. And I really appreciated that so much of the book is really about the sheer tenacity and dedication of those victims and their supporters for decades in getting this acknowledged and for the restorative justice to begin. The amount of research and “leg work” to put this together is remarkable.
June 25, 2023
Very engaging, lots of important and traumatic history discussed here. However, I was bothered by the references in the notes section being off by 2-3 pages after chapter 11.
May 2, 2024
3.75
przerażająca rzecz. czasem miałam wrażenie, że niektóre fragmenty są powtarzane niepotrzebnie, kolejny raz podkreślanie pewnych zjawisk - też niepotrzebnie. i trauma Anne Shirley wydaje się mniej wyimaginowana, bardziej prawdopodobna niż kiedyś, bo faktycznie mogło tak być, mogło
przerażająca rzecz. czasem miałam wrażenie, że niektóre fragmenty są powtarzane niepotrzebnie, kolejny raz podkreślanie pewnych zjawisk - też niepotrzebnie. i trauma Anne Shirley wydaje się mniej wyimaginowana, bardziej prawdopodobna niż kiedyś, bo faktycznie mogło tak być, mogło
April 4, 2024
This was well researched and explained. Such a sad story of how children were treated in a church run orphanage.
November 11, 2023
Warning: Kenneally’s important piece of investigative reporting is an excruciating read. It chronicles — often in graphic fashion — unfathomable acts of abuse. The villains in this heartbreaking saga are loathsome, including the abuse scandal's institutional scoundrel - the Catholic Church. Kenneally’s work is “Spotlight” on steroids. It’s both exhaustive and exhausting. It’s also repetitive in spots. But it is repetition with a purpose. The author clearly aims to drive home the point that these horror stories of mental, physical and sexual abuse were anything but anomalies. They signaled a revolting pattern of systemic abuse. “Ghosts of the Orphanage” is far from an enjoyable read, but it is an important and impressive work of dogged investigative journalism.
March 22, 2023
Well. This is one of the most horrifying books I’ve ever read. But it’s a story that needed to be told and I’m glad I read it. Even though it hurt my heart SO MUCH.
I just can’t believe that institutions this horrifying existed. Especially ones run by people who are supposed to be of faith. How can anyone be so needlessly cruel to children?? I don’t understand.
Look how many lives were lost because of these institutions and how many were ruined by kids who grew up traumatized from their years here. It’s absolutely horrifying. But I’m glad this book exists and these stories can finally be told. And I’m glad these types of institutions no longer exist. I know the world is not a better place but at least one horror is gone from it.
So. I said all that to say that this is a book that needs to be read. It’s horrifying and hard to read and it will hurt your heart. But it’s also fascinating and a piece of history that’s been too long overlooked and needs to be told.
Highly, HIGHLY recommend this one it. It holds nothing back and sheds a lot of light on an institution that got away with too much for too long.
Anyway, thank you to Novel Suspects & Public Affairs Books for sending this one my way!
I just can’t believe that institutions this horrifying existed. Especially ones run by people who are supposed to be of faith. How can anyone be so needlessly cruel to children?? I don’t understand.
Look how many lives were lost because of these institutions and how many were ruined by kids who grew up traumatized from their years here. It’s absolutely horrifying. But I’m glad this book exists and these stories can finally be told. And I’m glad these types of institutions no longer exist. I know the world is not a better place but at least one horror is gone from it.
So. I said all that to say that this is a book that needs to be read. It’s horrifying and hard to read and it will hurt your heart. But it’s also fascinating and a piece of history that’s been too long overlooked and needs to be told.
Highly, HIGHLY recommend this one it. It holds nothing back and sheds a lot of light on an institution that got away with too much for too long.
Anyway, thank you to Novel Suspects & Public Affairs Books for sending this one my way!
November 7, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was a very well researched book. The author did a great job in really helping to depict what life was like in these orphanages.
Orphanages, psychiatric hospitals and sanitariums have always held a fascination for me so this was a book that caught my interest immediately.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and appreciated all of the information the author provided.
I think my only criticism really would be that there was some repetition with some of the people in the book and their personal stories.
But overall great read.
This was a very well researched book. The author did a great job in really helping to depict what life was like in these orphanages.
Orphanages, psychiatric hospitals and sanitariums have always held a fascination for me so this was a book that caught my interest immediately.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and appreciated all of the information the author provided.
I think my only criticism really would be that there was some repetition with some of the people in the book and their personal stories.
But overall great read.
April 2, 2023
I gave this book 3 stars because I really felt that it should have included. section of pictures of St Joseph’s Orphanage and photos of Sally Dale and others. I know many photos exist and I have seen lots of them online so why not include them into the book?
Secondly, theres a lot of great information but at times there is also a ton of rambling.
It was an okay book but I guess I just expected more than what was given.
Secondly, theres a lot of great information but at times there is also a ton of rambling.
It was an okay book but I guess I just expected more than what was given.
August 28, 2018
Everyone should read this
It is available for free on the BuzzFeed website. Some of it may sound outlandish, but many of the most horrific stories are corroborated by evidence. Abuse of power is a rot in the heart of most, if not all, of our religious institutions.
It is available for free on the BuzzFeed website. Some of it may sound outlandish, but many of the most horrific stories are corroborated by evidence. Abuse of power is a rot in the heart of most, if not all, of our religious institutions.
September 30, 2022
I received a free copy of, Ghosts of the Orphanage, by Christine Kenneally, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was so hard to read at times. What poor innocent children went through, with people who were suppose to protect them, not kill or maim them.
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March 23, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and Public Affairs Publisher for the gifted eARC. All opinions expressed here are mine alone.
Please Note: My rating and review is solely based on my opinion of the author's research, uniqueness, writing, personal impact, intrigue, logic, and my overall opinion. It is not based on the entertainment of this sensitive subject matter and survivor accounts.
⚠️Reader discretion is advised.
𝘚𝘠𝘕𝘖𝘗𝘚𝘐𝘚...
Swipe for the full description ⏭️⏭️
This book explores many crimes perpetrated and covered up in Orphanages around the world in the twentieth century. Although this book is not limited to one orphanage, it centers around the Catholic-operated, St. Joseph's Orphanage in Vermont.
💭 𝘔𝘠 𝘛𝘏𝘖𝘜𝘎𝘏𝘛𝘚
I'm not going to lie, this book is filled with difficult and triggering content. However, it's important that the world knows and understands that this is real. These horrible and atrocious acts that seem unbelievable actually transpired not too long ago.
'𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏, "𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒈𝒖𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒐, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆." '
The author did a phenomenal job researching and interviewing the survivors of St. Joseph's while also interviewing victims' of comparable crimes in orphanages around the world. The connections and similarities of crimes committed in these orphanages are astounding. I have a lot of respect for this author, whose investigative journalism assisted with bringing these hidden secrets into the light. Ultimately leading to changes in laws and forcing the Catholic church to make changes to its records system.
The only criticism I have is that some information was repetitive and it seemed as though different orphanage interviews and information were intermixed with the case of St. Josephs's orphanage.
𝘖𝘝𝘌𝘙𝘈𝘓𝘓...
If you are seeking an eye-opening read and want to learn more about what happened inside this orphanage and what changes have been made, then this book is for you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 (CAWPILE 7.71)
Please Note: My rating and review is solely based on my opinion of the author's research, uniqueness, writing, personal impact, intrigue, logic, and my overall opinion. It is not based on the entertainment of this sensitive subject matter and survivor accounts.
⚠️Reader discretion is advised.
𝘚𝘠𝘕𝘖𝘗𝘚𝘐𝘚...
Swipe for the full description ⏭️⏭️
This book explores many crimes perpetrated and covered up in Orphanages around the world in the twentieth century. Although this book is not limited to one orphanage, it centers around the Catholic-operated, St. Joseph's Orphanage in Vermont.
💭 𝘔𝘠 𝘛𝘏𝘖𝘜𝘎𝘏𝘛𝘚
I'm not going to lie, this book is filled with difficult and triggering content. However, it's important that the world knows and understands that this is real. These horrible and atrocious acts that seem unbelievable actually transpired not too long ago.
'𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏, "𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒈𝒖𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒐, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆." '
The author did a phenomenal job researching and interviewing the survivors of St. Joseph's while also interviewing victims' of comparable crimes in orphanages around the world. The connections and similarities of crimes committed in these orphanages are astounding. I have a lot of respect for this author, whose investigative journalism assisted with bringing these hidden secrets into the light. Ultimately leading to changes in laws and forcing the Catholic church to make changes to its records system.
The only criticism I have is that some information was repetitive and it seemed as though different orphanage interviews and information were intermixed with the case of St. Josephs's orphanage.
𝘖𝘝𝘌𝘙𝘈𝘓𝘓...
If you are seeking an eye-opening read and want to learn more about what happened inside this orphanage and what changes have been made, then this book is for you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 (CAWPILE 7.71)
October 21, 2023
This is a difficult book to rate. I can’t say that I enjoyed reading about the horrific things that were perpetrated on these innocent children, but this book brings to light these awful occurrences and reminds us that there are so many adults living with the trauma of enduring such a childhood. There’s been a lot in the news of the Canadian residential schools and the abuse and genocide that happened there, and now we Americans know we weren’t any better.
This was also a difficult book for me to read, considering my father grew up in a children’s home in upstate New York. He’s shared with me some things about growing up in a communal home, and I know it’s shaped him greatly, not always for the better. I’m just hoping that he didn’t endure the worst of the things I read about in this book that happened at the St Joseph’s Orphanage, since it was run by the county and not by nuns and priests, things like rampant physical and sexual abuse, forcing children to eat rotten food and then to consume their vomit when it came back up, solitary confinement, even death from being pushed down stairs or thrown out of windows.
The worst part of this book is how little reparation and apology these people have gotten. The Catholic Church is too large and too practiced at hiding the unsavory bits, and the lawyers and the law haven’t been on the side of the victims. There should not be a statute of limitation on abuse; many victims don’t even realize that what happened to them was abuse until much later in their lives. It’s hard to know that being beaten and tortured and sexually assaulted and told you’re a devil or a bad kid is wrong when it’s happening to everyone else around you. It becomes normalized. And often the victims had no other reference with which to compare their lives.
While Kenneally is very thorough in her research and investigations, reading about the horrors that happened to these children is very difficult. May the Catholic Church finally admit to its failings and make it right with these victims.
This was also a difficult book for me to read, considering my father grew up in a children’s home in upstate New York. He’s shared with me some things about growing up in a communal home, and I know it’s shaped him greatly, not always for the better. I’m just hoping that he didn’t endure the worst of the things I read about in this book that happened at the St Joseph’s Orphanage, since it was run by the county and not by nuns and priests, things like rampant physical and sexual abuse, forcing children to eat rotten food and then to consume their vomit when it came back up, solitary confinement, even death from being pushed down stairs or thrown out of windows.
The worst part of this book is how little reparation and apology these people have gotten. The Catholic Church is too large and too practiced at hiding the unsavory bits, and the lawyers and the law haven’t been on the side of the victims. There should not be a statute of limitation on abuse; many victims don’t even realize that what happened to them was abuse until much later in their lives. It’s hard to know that being beaten and tortured and sexually assaulted and told you’re a devil or a bad kid is wrong when it’s happening to everyone else around you. It becomes normalized. And often the victims had no other reference with which to compare their lives.
While Kenneally is very thorough in her research and investigations, reading about the horrors that happened to these children is very difficult. May the Catholic Church finally admit to its failings and make it right with these victims.
June 19, 2023
This is one of those books that are difficult to read, but read them we must. Maybe I’m jaded. Maybe I’ve watched too many true crime documentaries, or have read of the horrific acts of too many people in some position of power that take whatever they want, no matter the cost. Maybe since religion has never played a part in my life, it’s easier for me to readily accept the fact that the nuns and priests mentioned in this book were systematically torturing the wards in their care. Whatever the case, the laundry list of deplorable acts committed in catholic orphanages around the world is vast. The fact that most of these men and women were never held accountable is a crime in and of itself.
I truly hope the victims have found some sort of peace. And if I believed in their god, I would pray with all my might that upon their death, these holy terrors never ascended anywhere. Instead, I won’t dignify them with another moment of my time.
I truly hope the victims have found some sort of peace. And if I believed in their god, I would pray with all my might that upon their death, these holy terrors never ascended anywhere. Instead, I won’t dignify them with another moment of my time.
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