It has been awhile since I have written a blog post, since March 23rd! I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. I know we sure did. Great food, some time off, and some family time, oh and a gymnastics meet as well. Busy, busy, busy! Plus it is the end of the school year, so a lot is happening. Field trips, All Sports Day, end of year projects etc. So, I apologize for not posting in April.
Anyway, I chose this book to highlight because well, I've read it a while back, but this book is one that sticks in your memory. Ellen Marie Wiseman is known for novels that take place in the early 20th century. The gripping topics of being lost, of tragedy, and simply hardships that become in some way heroic, are truly attention grabbing. She takes societal issues of the past and how people were during those time periods to create a story that gives a voice to the past.
This story in particular struck a chord with me, and I read it fairly quick. For me to read something in just a couple days is not the norm with having all my kids, so the fact I read it quickly, is beyond tell worthy of how amazing this book is to read. I will warn you all that the topic in this book gives an account of the disturbing life within the State ran insane asylums and how society had complete control over women no matter their place in society. If you were an outspoken, young woman with conviction who was going against the societal norms or would not go along with what was expected of you (like marry someone you didn't want to) you would be sent to an Insane Asylum. Now there were two different types: private asylums or State ran. Those who were rich, sent their "unruly" daughters to private ones, and if they were not rich, State ran was where they were put. Private asylums were on the posh side, they provided an upscale living and care. However, State ran asylums were horrible and would make people go crazy. In this book, we experience both institutions. We also learn the high society way of life in the early 20th century and how women were not treated as humans with their thoughts and emotions.
The story is told through the prospective of a young affluent woman from the 1920's (Clara) and a teenager in today's society (Izzy) who finds Clara's things as Izzy helps her foster parents catalog an abandoned State ran asylum. One of the items in Clara's trunk was box with a bunch of unopened letters that documented her life prior to the asylum and what happened when she was transferred from the private asylum to the public. The abuse, the less than ideal conditions, and the less than human treatment were brought forth causing Izzy to relive her own trauma and wondering if she too would become clinically crazy like her mother. So many questions race through Izzy's mind and her heart aches for Clara as she dives deeper into the story being told.
Clara was a vivacious, curious, and energetic young woman, 18 years of age going around to speakeasies and ruling the social scene. She had her WHOLE world at her fingerprints. Her parents, well her father is, wealthy, well-known, and in good social standing. Clara is not a typical woman her age, she pushes the limits of the time, which leads her to fall in love with no other than an Italian immigrant who is not of the same pedigree. Definitely not the kind of man her father, nor mother, would approve. Being 18 now, is the time for Clara to find a suitor. One of her father's liking. Who needs love, marriage is not about love, is her mother's mantra. Clara tries to keep her soulmate a secret, but in a furry over the arranged marriage, she loses her cool and her parents have her committed in a genteel house, or private asylum for those who may need to rethink their decisions and become agreeable. However, it becomes unfortunate when her father loses EVERYTHING in the stock market crash of 1930, thus Clara is moved to the State facility and boy is it rough. Clara is used to being pampered and having a cushy life even in the facility. She is told she is mentally ill and is in need of harsh treatment. Electroshock, beatings, sexual abuse, little to no food, cold showers, you name it, they did it in order to beat them into submission. As Clara maneuvers through this trial, she formulates a plan. A plan to escape. But how? No one cares she is there, and no one knows of her secret, except the doctors. If she attempts to flee, and is caught, she'd be buried alive.
Izzy is drawn to Clara, as she feels connected due to the skeletons in her own closet that are creeping through and she tries to keep things a secret. A secret that worries her for own mental stability. I mean, is mental illness hereditary? Will Izzy become like Clara? Put into a mental health facility and long forgotten? Besides who really wants a damaged teen with a horrifying and traumatic past? Is she lovable? It's not her fault her life became the way it had, but she still wonders and it haunts her like a never ending nightmare. As she continues to read the letters, things begin to fall into place for Izzy, and her courage and strength are bonded to Clara's own tenacity and strength.
Ellen Wiseman creates a story that is hard to put down. Once you start, you just can't stop. The characters are so well developed and intertwined between the past, present and even future. The life of Clara helps Izzy to understand that most people are just misunderstood and that it is OK. Izzy also learns the dark side of society in the past. The cruelty placed upon people who were not necessarily insane, but simply had their opinion, goal, or thought. Being a non-agreeable young woman in 1929, never bodes well as they are then sent away to learn to listen and obey everything. Women had no say and historically, this is factual for most, especially in upper society.
I will say, I give it a 4.5 out of 5. As previously mentioned, it is hard to put the book down. It took me 2-3 days if that to read, and I remember it as if I had just finished reading. Yet, I read it some months ago. I know that the way of life within those facilities were more like torture and made the patients actually believe they were indeed insane, when they were not, but there were parts of the book that were hard emotionally to get through. And at times, it is like why didn't Clara just submit? Would we want her to do that though? If she had, then perhaps the outcome would have been different, one that is more grim than the happy ending we are given. The lessons that teens can learn are plenty in this book, and is a great read for adults. I definitely would not suggest this book to kids under the age of 15/14 due to the descriptions and the horrific torture methods described. Lastly, it is historical. Lots of correct information regarding how society worked back then, and the norms were spot on.
This book is a fantastic read for a book club. It is a quick read as it is very engaging. Groups can dive into this novel and have lively conversations. It captures your senses and intrigue, so you just want to keep on reading to find out what happens to Clara and how Izzy is handling life as a foster child reliving many traumas and fears. I highly recommend this book. Yes, there were some drawbacks. It is not a happy go-lucky book. I'd say it can trigger some people who have dealt with abuse, being wrongfully accused, or lived with a narcissist. I do give this a trigger warning, but for most people it is fine. And I will say parts of the book can be hard to read due to the nature of the scenes described that happened in the Public Insane Asylum. With these notes, is why I took off a .5 in my rating.
Happy reading my fellow book lovers! Let me know what YOU think after you read this book yourself.