While it had a lot of potential, The Girls in the Stilt House didn’t fully deliver for me. The setting in the swamps of Mississippi was beautifully described, and the author did a great job of capturing the atmosphere of the time period. The sense of place was immersive, and the vivid descriptions of the stilt house and the surrounding landscape added a layer of depth to the story.

However, despite the intriguing premise, the pacing felt uneven, and the plot moved a bit too slowly for my taste. There were stretches where not much seemed to happen, and I found it difficult to stay engaged. The characters, particularly Ada and Matilda, had moments of complexity, but I struggled to fully connect with them. While their individual struggles were compelling, I felt like the emotional connection between them wasn’t explored as deeply as it could have been.

The story touches on important themes like race, class, and survival, but at times it felt like the narrative didn’t dive deep enough into these issues. Some plot points seemed underdeveloped or rushed, leaving me wanting more resolution or explanation.

That being said, the writing itself was strong, and I appreciated the effort to shed light on a lesser-known period and place in history. While it wasn’t a standout read for me, I think others might enjoy it for its setting and themes, even if the pacing and character development left something to be desired.

Over the years my reading habits have changed and I no longer reach for historical fiction as much since my brain can't seem to follow along with all of the variety of characters. I do no feel like I can give a fair review for this book because of this so I am just going to move it onto my "in the future when life slows down" tbr.

Southern historical fiction plays out between two girls caught up in their families dark secrets find their own bad luck.

I received this ARC last year but, after having recently read Where The Crawdads Sing and given that this book was being likened to it, I let it sit on my Netgalley shelf. Well, I picked it up last night after browsing my shelf and I finished it in a day. What a wonderful, atmospheric, emotional story!

The characters, two young women - both poor and living in the South in the 1920s-1930s - one black, the other white - are believable and likeable and I rooted for them both. I was caught up in the themes of struggle, family relationships, poverty, racism, friendship, and loneliness. The landscape is beautifully described and becomes like a character itself. The lives of these two young women are not easy but the author embues them with resiliency and a belief in a better tomorrow. The ending is satisfying and uplifting. While both Crawdads and this book are similar with strong female characters set in the South, this book stands on its own and it is definitely worth the read. That this is a debut novel makes it all the more amazing.

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Girls in the Stilt House is the right at home with the best Southern fiction, slow and meanderingly atmospheric, evocative of a thick and swampy Southern Summer.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. A expertly told tragic story of life in the South in the early 1920’s. Sadly, many of the themes woven in are still relevant today. The lives of two poor girls, one white, one black are interwoven together that are similar but very different.

The following review was posted on my blog (www.blogginboutbooks.com) on 11.19.21:

Until 16-year-old Ada Morgan ran away with her boyfriend, she had never known true freedom. The last thing she wants to do now is return home to the squalor of her stilt house on the swamp. She knows her father—a coarse and cruel trapper—will be thrilled to have her back. Not only will he have someone to wait on him again, but he will also delight in punishing her for leaving him. If she had any other option, she would never return to him. With nowhere else to go, she has no choice but to go back to Mississippi, back to the Trace, back to her father.

Matilda Patterson is also anxious to leave her home on the Natchez Trace. The Black teen is the daughter of poor sharecroppers who eke out a meager living in a place that will never allow them to get ahead. With local bootleggers making things even more difficult for the family, Matilda's ready to take her secrets and run. A more promising future awaits her in the north; she just has to make it there.

When their lives converge one fateful night, Ada and Matilda are shocked to find themselves partners in crime. Literally. Their tenuous bond is the only thing keeping both of them safe, but it's a tenuous sisterhood that could break at any moment. As their linked past becomes more apparent, the two begin to realize just how much danger they're really in. When more trouble comes calling, it's up to them to protect themselves and each other against deadly odds.

It's no secret that I love me an absorbing historical story, the more atmospheric the better. The Girls in the Stilt House, a debut novel by Kelly Mustian, ticks all these boxes. Its vivid, visceral setting is a character in its own right, exhibiting all the beauty, danger, and contradiction inherent in every human. As untamed as the swampland surrounding them, our heroines are sympathetic because of their impoverished, hardscrabble lives. What makes them admirable is the fiery grit that burns deep inside them, giving them strength, courage, and the will to keep fighting. Plot-wise, this is a slow-burning tale. While this device takes a little patience, it also ensures that by the time the story's action really amps up, the reader cares deeply about what's going to happen and to whom. Although it's not a happy, all-tied-up-with-a-bow story, The Girls in the Stilt House is compelling, moving, and beautifully written. I loved this assured debut.

(Readalikes: The Girls in the Stilt House reminds me a bit of Emily Carpenter's novels. I've also seen it compared to Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss.)

Grade: A

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Girls in the Stilt House from the generous folks at Sourcebooks via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Great book. Highly recommend and will most defiantly read more by this author and suggest to others!

Thanks for the ARC audio version. I loved the narrator and thought her accent was perfect for the characters of this book . I only gave 4 stars due to it had a slow start for me. If the 1st half had grabbed me like the last half then it would definitely be a 5 star. I loved the characters and the ending. I highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction . I have purchased this book for the library and will be recommending it to my patrons.

Remarkable debut novel! Beautifully written yet quite haunting. Portrays the resilience of the human spirit - especially the woman's spirit. I was totally invested in Ada's and Matilda's life journey. The story follows these two very young women as the grow into two strong, resilient, and intelligent women. Ms. Mustian does an excellent job with character development as well as writing descriptive settings. I felt that I knew the characters - good and bad. I liked that the characters had human flaws and from their background stories you could, for the most part, understand why some of them react to situations the way that they do. The setting was written so that you could picture it in your mind and put yourself there. You also can see the growth of the main characters which I loved. The complexity of the relationships throughout the novel is intriguing and heart wrenching. Ms. Mustian nailed the place and time of the novel - 1920's in Mississippi. The issues brought up regarding race, social status, familial brutalities, struggles, relations as well as the ignorance and poverty are still relevant today - these issues sadly are laced throughout today's society. This novel rings with authenticity. Ms. Mustian is an exceptional storyteller and I can't wait for her next novel.

I have started this a few times and never make it far in. It’s just not the book for me. I know those that love rich southern writing will enjoy it.

This was a can’t put it down book for me! I had to know what happened with these girls. Amazing story, characters and setting. Received a free ebook from #Netgalley for review.

I just reviewed The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian. #NetGalley
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This was such a beautifully written novel that takes place in the deep south, Mississippi during the 1920’s. A wonderful historical fiction that has incredible characters, a very atmospheric setting of the swamplands and nearby towns as well as suspense that kept my heart in my mouth right until the end.

This is a story about two girls Ada and Matilda who couldn’t be more different but dire circumstances bring them together. Ada is raised mostly in isolation by her cruel father in the swamps, living in a house built on stilts. Matilda is from the other side of The Trace and raised by a loving family who seem to be in over their heads with situations that seem to spin out of their control. When Matilda saves Ada from a life-threatening event, the two lives become entwined.

There are many different themes running throughout this book which were tied to the setting and the era that the novel was set. There was racism, cruelty, bootlegging, attitudes and even murder. The dialogue between the characters was so believable and realistic.

I am so glad that I was given the opportunity by NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark to read this advanced copy of The Girls in the Stilt House. It was definitely a favourite of mine so far this year.

I just completed The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian. This story was provided to me by NetGalley for an honest review. The story takes in place in the 1920s in a Mississippi swamp. It is a tale of two women - one black and one white. Both are poor and disadvantaged. The characters are strong in their development but I just did not connect to them. I thought the writing was great but again I did not connect to the story. I would have to say I do believe this story would resonate with many. The main characters overcome overwhelming odds of cultural and gender biases present in the South during the early part of the 20th century. Even though this story was not for me I do recommend it because of what the story is about. I gave this 3 stars.

Two girls whose history overlaps get thrown together and turn out to be important for each other's future. This book is simply amazing. Through it I could all but see the surroundings, smell the smells, feel the emotions piling up. Neither Ada nor Matilda would have chosen to live together in the Stilt House - or to live in the Stilt House period - but they managed all the same. All while their past is haunting both of them. The plot made me strapped to my reading corner more than would probably have been wise, the characters made me love them fiercely.

This is such a good read it is hard to believe it is a debut novel! The characters are so well developed and the relationship between Ada and Matilda is a unique bond that comes from a terrible accident. The tension that you feel for these girls is emphasized more by being set in 1920’s Mississippi and the location plays an important role in the story. I can not wait to read more stories by Kelly Mustian!

LOVED THIS. Girl power. Ada and Matilda are the super hero I didn't know I needed. Such a great storyline that I have not seen before. Single moms in the early 20th century and in the South.

The Girls in the Stilt House is a very well written historical novel. Great plot and character dynamics. If you enjoy historical southern reads I recommend this book.

This is a compelling story about 2 young girls living together in the swamps of Louisiana, in a house built on stilts. One of the girls is white and the other is African American. It takes place in the 1920s, so race is an element in this story.

The book is divided into three parts. The first is Ada, the young white girl. The next part focuses on Matilda. Finally, the last part is alternately about both of them. They have formed a tenuous relationship. They both come from similar circumstances. The way they come together takes a while to come to light.

The setting is almost a character in this book. The author makes the swamp seem to be a living, breathing entity. The descriptive passages become visual in my mind.

The characters are extremely well developed. There are a couple of characters who are totally evil and despicable. Matilda is a huge enigma when we first meet her but the layers are slowly peeled away. Ada is withdrawn and timid due to the life she has been born into. There is a midwife with the wisdom that comes with age. Every other character is well defined though they are minor players.

Parts of the book are heart-wrenching. There is an element of mystery, there is friendship, there is bootlegging, there is murder, there is danger. Racial issues and inequality are part of the story. There is something on every page that keeps the reader going.

As many of the reviewers have mentioned, it is hard to believe that this is the first book by this author. She put her heart and soul into it. I look forward to what comes next.

The Girls in the Stilt House is a perfect book for anyone who likes southern historical fiction. I think that fans of Where the Crawdads Sing would also like this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Really enjoyed this book - Kelly Mustan grew up in "the Trace" of Mississippi, and the place becomes a character in her debut novel. The characters of Ada, Matilda, and Gertie the midwife were well developed. Matilda is a sharecropper's daughter who is forced to grow up before her time. Her mother is pregnant, her father is trying to work off his debt, and earning extra money by running illegal alcohol during Prohibition. As a young black woman, Matilda sees the violence that rains upon all blacks in Mississippi when they try to rise up above the injustices they endure on a daily basis. On a trip to town, Matilda witnesses a young black man knocked into the mud while trying to protect his wife - not long afterwards, the man is found dead. While working her multiple jobs, Matilda sees too much and witnesses bootleg theft and learns about a murder. When her own family suffers, Matilda runs away and meets with Ada.
Ada is poor white river trash, whose mother died when she was 9, and her father in abusive and an alcoholic. Ada runs away with a carnival musician named Jesse, who leaves her after a year. She returns home, not even realizing she is pregnant, and faces the wrath of her father. When her father tries to punish Ada the same way he did her mother, Matilda steps in and saves her. The two girls are bound by murder and secrets - and develop a complicated friendship. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book! I will definitely read more by this author!