Sorry, no recipe. Since this book takes place in the United States (and today is Thanksgiving), there is not much of anything unique I want to cook (not that I have been cooking much of anything since school started).
Out of the last three books, this is the second one I could not finish. I LOVED The Radium Girls which is why I chose this book to read. However, it was just too tedious. I feel like the review shown above clearly sums up my thoughts.
When I was about 30% into the book, I decided to quickly scan through the rest of the book and be done with it. The gist is really interesting (the reform of the mental health system), but I feel like the story could have been told without all the direct quotes from primary sources…well, that and condense all the facts to just tell the story (like she did in her previous book). The last 100 Kindle pages included only notes and references.
When I got to the end, I read the Postscript. I understand the point she was stating that we should be sensitive when we use the word “crazy” or “insane” when characterizing someone but I think she lost credibility with me when she used the Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump example. First, she is British. Stay with British politics. Second, all her examples in the postscript were U.S. examples, as if only Americans have issues with women not being believed. Not sure if she only included these examples since the story took place in the United States but why not include examples from across the world to make her point?
Another issue I had was the portrayal of religion. I believe Elizabeth Packard’s husband does not represent professing believers, especially of the Presbyterian faith (as I am). He was a wicked, cruel man whom I would question if he was a believer at all. However, although he may have been a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” does not mean anyone of that faith acts that way. Maybe that was not the intent of that portrayal but that was the way I viewed it. And just for reference, her first question in the Reading Group Guide asks if modern-day America is more or less tolerant of diverse religions…again, if her goal was to bring attention to women rights, why take a direct aim towards the U.S.? Why not bring up how many Middle Eastern nations do not tolerate other religions or allow women to have the same rights as men? I don’t know…my opinion.
If you are interested in this story, just google Elizabeth Packard. If you are interested in the sad history of mental asylums’ and how men would throw women in them to be “rid of them” and the “bajillion” details, then read this book. If you are wanting an engaging, quick read, don’t read this book.
