Newfoundland writer Helen Fogwill Porter's novel, Finishing School, is an insightful examination of the working class of St. John's, Newfoundland during the 1980's. The story focuses on Eileen Novak, a forty-nine year old divorced hair stylist by day and a mature student by night, studying to obtain her high school diploma. The story is really a journal of Eileen's thoughts and feelings, initially started as a English class assignment from the community college teacher, Mrs. Penney. The reader quickly learns that Eileen is comfortable composing her thoughts and speaking frankly about the day-to-day event of her life within the covers of a notebook. The story is a compilation of Eileen's free-wheeling advice, opinions and words of wisdom from her experiences with her Mom, ex-husband Gary, her former boyfriend Bruce, her three grown daughters, her stepfather Herb, her classmate Tom and her group of friends and acquaintances.

A candid, observational view of society and family values of the 1980's, which is what made this novel such a treat to read now, some 30 years beyond the time period. No topic is taboo to Eileen, at least not within the confines of her journal covers. A really great story that I would recommend to others. ( )