Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Le Bal des folles by Victoria Mas

110 reviews

zoe_werdy's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was a fascinating read, based on the real history of a French asylum and the annual ball held within its walls for the wealthy of Paris to mingle with the mad women. It was really a story about the ways society controls women, in the home, in their work or if they differ from the norm, or are the victim of traumatic violence, in an asylum. Once there doctors can do as they please in the name of medicine. It's a history I want to read so much more about, it feels like it has so much to say about the past and so many implications for today. This short book was dipping my toe into spellbinding writing laying out this disturbing chapter of Parisian history. I loved it! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

kyahs's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Rated highly because it is unique, lined with history and for having deep messages regarding feminism and mental health care. Written well. Part of the story line seems to not fit so well and maybe shoes the authors interests in other areas. Still great and the addition of this oddity gave the book a darker more mysterious edge.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, and Abandonment

victoria_catherine_shaw's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt

xaracelli's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment

marbelousreads's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This book was engaging and also a heartbreaking look at the realities of women who didn’t fit the mold being institutionalized in the late 19th century. I appreciated the nuance of the author about why some women preferred to be institutionalized and to show that the institutions like the Sal. were not universally good or bad but complicated. They did some bad things but they also did provide a refuge for some women who had been hurt by the world.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault

somewherehere_nz's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Rape, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content

charlereads's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

caseyemorgan's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“Truth be told, whether free or incarcerated, women were not safe anywhere. Since the dawn of time, they had been the victims of decisions that were taken without their consent.” 

I picked this book up on a whim when Barnes and Noble had their sale on hardbacks, and I am so glad that I did. Victoria Mas tells the tragic stories of three women and the Salpêtrière psychiatric hospital in 1880s Paris. She tackles the topics of grief, freedom, trauma, and sanity; all while she develops characters that you truly root for. I really enjoyed reading the stories of all of the “mad” (but not really mad) women who made the hospital their home. Oh, and there’s ghosts in there. Which really adds to any story. 

I loved it and will definitely pick up her next book. (4.5⭐️)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, and Self harm

misslisag's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

rosannariah's review against another edition

dark emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

2.75

Sujet intéressant mais le style d’écriture ne m’a pas plu (trop simple et les dialogues sont écrits dans la langue d’aujourd’hui alors que l’histoire est censée se passer au 19e siècle) - pas de la grande littérature mais sujet féministe qui informe sur une triste réalité 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt