Set against the backdrop of a poverty-ridden, welfare dependent Nevadan trailer park, known locally as Calle, Girlchild is a breathtakingly brilliant, superbly crafted debut.
Narrated by young Rory Dawn, this is a strong, bold story that belies the fragility implied by the title. Told from a child’s perspective, most chapters are short and deceptively simple. But some are shocking in content, as an unfolding narrative of incest, abuse and poverty across generations within the community is slowly revealed. Girlchild deserves a wide readership; Hassman’s prose is dark, compelling and painful but never less than honest and true. The subject matter may not be new but its delineation resonates long after the story ends.
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