The GIrls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian
I’ve been wanting to read this book so I was excited we read it for bookclub. The cover of the book and the synopsis gives me this dark mysterious feeling and I was intrigued by how these girls seemed so much alike but were separated by race. Nestled into the swamp, these folks have their own way about doing things and whether it’s proper or not, is not what matters, it’s that it’s taken care of.
She was in love when she left and now, she has returned. Her fondness of Jesse prompted her to run off with him but now she has returned. Returned to her home, to her father, to this home in the swamp, the house on stilts. There had been room for Ada in this house but now, her father’s tools are more important and Ada will sleep in the shed. Her father has expectations of Ada now that she has returned. He didn’t welcome her with open arms but with expectations and responsibilities.
My heart was torn for Ada as she tried to fit back into her old lifestyle. Her father wasn’t making it any easier. When he compares his daughter to his wife and begins to criticize and lash out at her, I wanted to reach inside the book and cause my own scene. The words that were spoken, the truth that was revealed was painful but Ada had to learn what she could from her father, no matter what the conditions were.
Matilda to the rescue! I was so grateful that Matilda arrived on the scene and took action. Anything that she could do would be beneficial but I didn’t expect her to be such a strong character. Matilda had her own issues but to Ada she was a ray of light and she knew the w’s: what, where, why and when. I enjoyed the friendship that Ada and Matilda formed and how they supported each other.
I liked how the beginning of the book tied into the middle of this book rather than at the end of the book, that had a nice touch. I knew the story wasn’t over and the ending was still yet to come. I had never expected the ending that the author led me down, as I had envisioned many different paths as I became entwined inside this book. A 5-star read for me.
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