What a beautiful metaphor for how it feels when people in power abuse young girls. I loved the multiple perspectives, the ghost like spooky-ness, Each family was a window into how trauma is processed and I appreciated that variety,.

Honestly I am sad to say I Dnfd this book midway. I love other books by this author so this made me sad- but the plot wasnt compelling enough, and the pacing off.

I love that this YA book is set in Kuala Lumpur…that alone makes it stand out from a lot of what’s out there. And the book covers a tough topic, though not explicitly.

St. Bernadette’s is the best school for girls around, perched atop a hill…only the best make it through the gates. One ordinary day a new girl starts to scream in class. Then another. Then another. By the end of the day there are seventeen of them.

Khadijah is a girl with her own problems; she doesn’t speak. But her sister is one of the screamers.

Rachel is trying desperately to live up to her strict mother’s expectations while also trying to carve out a life for herself. Is it possible?

And why are the girls screaming? And what will happen next?

This is definitely YA for YA, but I like that it exists for girls, even if I don’t know that I was crazy about the ending. Probably a 3.5 for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette's" by Hanna Alkaf is a haunting tale that delves into the complexities of trauma and sisterhood, all centered around the dark secrets lurking within the walls of an all-girls school. Before going into this book, I definitely recommend looking into content warnings for this book, specifically with the SA content depicted within the book. This book focuses on female togetherness as well as feminine rage against those who want to keep women silent, who say that they are just “hysterical.”

From the very beginning, you are drawn into the eerie atmosphere of St. Bernadette's, a prestigious institution where girls strive for excellence while grappling with their own inner demons. Alkaf expertly brings together multiple narratives, mainly focusing on Khadijah and Rachel. These different perspectives each shed light on the experiences of different characters as they navigate the aftermath of a mysterious outbreak of hysteria. I really enjoyed the character growth of Rachel as she discovered her independence and tried to distance herself from her overbearing mother. I also really loved how Khadijah, through the power of female togetherness, found her voice again in order to speak up for those still coming to terms with their own trauma.

Through Alkaf's storytelling, you are given glimpses into the hidden traumas and buried pain that haunt the halls of St. Bernadette's. The tension is developed very nicely throughout the book, and the atmosphere of St. Bernadette’s kept me engaged throughout. Despite the chilling nature of the events unfolding, there is a palpable sense of empathy and compassion that underscores the narrative, offering a nuanced exploration of the ways in which trauma can shape and define us.

I did, however, experience a bit of a disconnect from the plot and characters, mainly due to language barriers. There was some terminology used throughout the book that I wasn’t familiar with and sometimes led to confusion. The ending of the book was also a bit confusing, though I liked how St. Bernadette’s essentially became sentient and was a safe space for the girls.

Overall, "The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette's" is a powerful story that offers a timely reminder of the strength and resilience of young women in the face of adversity. I can’t wait to read more from Alkaf!