Unfinished Desires, by Gail Godwin

Events from the founding and early years of a mountain-top Catholic private school in North Carolina echo down the years in this multi-generational novel. Founded by two British nuns in the early part of the 20th century, the story of Mt. St. Gabriel’s is told in a memoir being written in 2001 by one of its most dynamic headmistresses, Mother Ravenel. She was first a student, later a teacher, and finally head of the school. Mother Ravenel is particularly troubled by recounting what happened in 1952, after which she needed to take a year off to recover. Told in a non-linear form from several perspectives besides the nun's, as a tale of adolescent girls’ rivalries, friendships, and cliques, it is reminiscent of Margaret Atwood’s superb Cat’s Eye. Most survive these intense teenage years, some better, however, than others. 396 pp.