The New Girls

by Beth Gutcheon

Book Overview

The New Girls is a resonant, engrossing novel about five girls during their formative prep-school years in the tumultuous mid-sixties. Into their reality of first-class trips to Europe, resort vacations, and deb parties enter the Vietnam War, the women's movement, and the sexual revolution. As the old traditions collide with the new society, the girls lose their innocence, develop a social conscience, and discover their sexuality -- blossoming...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060977027
• ISBN13: 9780060977023
• Release Date: May 1996
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.0" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Truly Touching

....You certainly don't need to be poor and downtrodden and "underpriviledged" to suffer in many and varied ways. I think one point here was a keen illustration of how money can't necessarily buy happiness, and Gutcheon did a superb job of conveying this, among other themes.Loved this book, and loved her newer one "More Than You Know". I recommend them both highly.

Thanks for the Memories!

As a "twenty-something", it's hard to find books that appeal to my age group. I'm too old for the "Sweet Valley High" books, yet too young to be interested in tales of marriage/divorce, children, and mid-life crises. Even though Beth Gutcheon's "The New Girls" centers around teenagers at a prep school, this book is intelligent, deep, and interesting enough for women ages twenty to perhaps eighty. This tale of five friends--Jenny, Ann, Sally, Lisa, and Muffin--will captivate the minds of many personalities. There's a poet, a tomboy, a socialite, a conservative, and even a "nice-to-everyone" in this book. Yet, these five basic personalities evolve into so much more throughout the interesting framework of these chapters. You'll feel like a (lucky) fly on the wall as you mentally join these ladies. You'll get to experience the late night talks in the dorm, the vacations abroad and to Sea Island, first loves, and the occasional naughty smoke in the woods. Beth Gutcheon succeeds with the incredible task of completely developing FIVE characters, and she even reveals the background that each of these girls come from. Another satisfying aspect of the book is the class reunion. When the friends meet up years later (they made a promise while at Miss Pratt's that they would come), the reader finds out just how each girl turned out. So many times, books leave us asking, "What then?" This book won't leave you hanging. You'll know what happened to the New Girls, and you'll be so glad you have the memories....of the girls AND of this captivating novel!!!

How connected you feel to these girls

I took a chance on this book, not being familiar with the author and was very pleased with my choice. Ms. Gutcheon told the story not only from each girl's persepective, but as each would have told it; glossing over parts they found unattractive or not as important. It was as if each girl were remembering her past. And as it is with remembering we don't always remember every detail or what exactly happened next. I look forward to reading more of her work.

One of my favorites!

It was really interesting to read this book about a culture so far from my own, yet the characters so like myself. The author captures what it is like to be a teenage girl perfectly, all the while painting a picture of wealthy America. I would reccommend this book to anyone who has ever been to Summer Camp, College, or anywhere else where friendships are molded through being roommates. This book would speak to you!

You'll fall in love with Gutcheon and her new girls...

Beth Gutcheon writes in a way that combines the skill and insight of classical writers with the plot and passion of romance novelists. The new girls are depicted so clearly that you share their intense emotions as you eagerly aniticipate what will happen next to these lovely private school ladies. A truly memorable novel!