THE FINISHING SCHOOL by Joanna Goodman
BOOK CLUB CHOICE, September 2021
Reviewed by: Kathryn Raymond
One September 9, 2021, the book we discussed was The Finishing School by Joanna Goodman. The novel was very interesting as it included many social themes relevant to current issues. Although we were missing some members, those in attendance we all very vocal and had strong views on the novel. Sharing various thoughts on a book is always encouraged as it promotes interesting discussions.
Kersti Kuusk, a published Canadian author spent her high school years on scholarship at the prestigious and wealthy Lycee Internationale school in Switzerland. Kersti’s last year of school at the Lycee ended with her best friend, Cressida, falling from a fourth story balcony causing complete devastation among staff and students. Cressida’s fall was determined to be an accident and the investigation was quickly closed.
Twenty years after leaving the Lycee, Kersti is invited back to be a guest speaker at the school’s 100th anniversary. Thoughts of returning to the school sparks new cause for Kersti to re-examine exactly what did happen to Cressida. Was it a suicide attempt? Was it an accident? Was she pushed? Kersti cannot let her mind rest until she finds some answers.
The setting at the Lycee Internationale Suisse finishing school was compelling as we got a look into the elite and privileged… and the length taken to keep that status untouched. The walls hold a decades old mystery and the lies and deceit, friendship, love, desire, betrayal and dangerous secrets are perfectly paced and are revealed right up to the unexpected ending. The ending was darker than we expected and that left us with more to discuss.
The club’s opinions went from not liking it at all to really loving it and everything in between. All agreed it was worth a read for sure.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 