At the twilight of the nineteenth century, neatly tucked behind the steeples and stained glass of Montreal's puritanical veneer lurked a seedy underworld that thrived on the desperation of the destitute. Eugénie and Saraphine, sisters born three years apart, alone and rudderless, soon discover the perils of being adrift in this dangerous and violent world.
Days after their mother's funeral, the young girls return from school greeted by a note their father has left behind... he has gone in search of British Columbia gold. With nowhere else to go, they find a home at their aunt and uncle's place. Eager to contribute, Eugénie joins her uncle at the butcher shop where she meets Orance; a strapping young lad and the boss's son. But, tragedy strikes again forcing Eugénie into a role she is unequipped to take on - though she must - for her adoptive family to endure.
Latching onto any raft, Eugénie accepts Orance's proposal and becomes the butcher's wife. Abused and beaten, the sisters do what they must to survive. Relying on each other for self-defence they land at a friend's door in search of asylum. Unable, or unwilling to see through the veil of kindness they are shown, they fall victim to blackmail and betrayal. Trapped in the sex trade and locked in one of Montreal's seediest bordellos, they have but themselves to rely upon to keep alive the hopes for a better life.
Griffintown Sisters is a story about family, survival, loss and the business of love.