Miracle Girls

Did you like "Swamplandia"? "The Ocean at the End of the Lane"? "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children"? Then you will welcome "Miracle Girls," where religious spirituality verges on the magical. In the Upper Mohawk Valley of New York in 1973, the disappearance of children is only another grim over-lay to ordinary lives punctuated with alcoholism, crib death, failing economy and the brooding national environment. Eleven-year-old Cee-Cee may be a visionary, even a saint in formation, or she may just be more unconsciously aware of her surroundings than most people. There are brutal pivot points in the story, and readers must be patient with ambiguity. I preferred the tone of the first two-thirds to that of the final segment, but accept the shift as necessary to reflect the shift to more earthly developments.

Miracle Girls is an exquisitely written first novel by MB Caschetta. Ten year old Cee-Cee endures a bleak home life with a horribly dysfunctional family. In spite of that, she somehow she finds the inner strength not only to survive but to shine above the insanity. The characters are quirky, fascinating and fully formed. The story is at once divine and painfully earth-bound. The harsh realities of poverty, alcoholism and child abuse are all too present for young Cee-Cee. But Caschetta manages to find humor and grace in this dark world and salvation, of sorts, for Cee-Cee. This book should be on everyone's holiday reading list.

I really, really wanted to like this book. However: a) I found the writing confusing and almost incoherent (when did the mother come back after being gone for so long? - what happened to the little girl in the forest and what was she actually doing there with her family?) - b) I found the details regarding many of the characters not only disturbing but irritating. I rarely do this, but after reading less than half I ended up deleting the book from my Kindle without a second guilty thought, in fact a sense of relief.

It's hard to say what I liked most about this engrossing novel -- the setting, including the time as well as the place; the supporting characters; or the main character, the charismatic little girl Cee Cee. I understood and related to the descriptions of the Catholic school world (as a product of Catholic elementary education myself) and big Italian-american families (though mine is far more functional than Cee Cee's). Caschetta writes beautifully -- and for me, the story/plot takes a slight second place to lyrical, lovely, transporting prose. I kind of guessed at the central mystery before it was revealed, but that didn't matter. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride!

You know a story is well told when you feel as if you "know" the characters.The author even managed to evoke compassion in me for the characters I didn't "like" so much.This is not a book for those who like everything tied up in a neat little package at the end, but rather a book that has you thinking and asking yourself questions long after you're finished.Some difficult subject matter involved but well worth the read.I hope there's another novel on the horizon.Bravo !

This modern retelling of Chaucer’s Second Nun’s Tale: The Life of St. Cecelia is unbelievably wonderful. Set in the backdrop of the 1970s (think Vietnam War, protests), the novel takes on the issues of peace and homophobia in smart, subtle ways while completely entertaining you with a compelling, heartfelt, and humorous story. I can’t stop thinking about CeeCee and her family and wondering where they are now.

This is a wonderful book. It's so unique and fascinating. The world of Cee Cee and her family is one I've never known, so I am enthralled and curious. Thank you!! I can't wait for your next novel. I'm a fan!

Miracle Girls is a novel that challenges the reader to have faith -- in its voice, in its characters, and in our collective ability to make meaningful connections despite the challenges of being alive. Caschetta allows us the privilege of following Cee-Cee Bianco as she struggles to understand the experiences -- both magical and painful -- that shape her life. With each step of Cee-Cee’s journey, the novel demands that we read with a child's sense of wonder and possibility, and for that I am thankful. As a writer, I was much impressed with this debut, and eagerly await what's next from MB Caschetta.

Well written but very strange in its story line.