Reviews with content warning for Forced institutionalization - The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies

Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

32 reviews

lyricallit's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.5

Be warned, ends with a cliffhanger/definitive build up to a sequel -- which I CANNOT WAIT FOR!

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bel017's review

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Some very dark history covered, but otherwise a heap of fun. The main character and supporting cast are fabulous. I loved the found family, competent protagonists, hiding in plain sight, and heaving doses of usurping the hierarchy, wrapped up in a slightly mad and fast paced adventure. I do love a good shenanigan. Can't wait for the next one.

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jhbandcats's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I loved this book from beginning to end but I confess that if I hadn’t had to read it for a book group, I’d never have picked it because it looks and sounds like it’s a lightweight “cozy mystery,” the last thing I’d normally choose. This has lots of humor and it’s quite entertaining but it’s about as far from cozy as you can get. Vivid descriptions of truly appalling situations abound.

This is a feminist tirade against the abuse of women in the 18th and 19th Centuries, and nothing about it is gentle. I am not one to cry at books but I had tears in my eyes reading about the conditions at the private insane asylum - women chained half-naked in feces up to their ankles is just one example of the many cruelties and injustices.

The author has done copious research on the Regency period of England (1811-1820), and it tells in the detail she brings to the story. This would be a good companion to Jane Austen’s books and the somewhat later ones of the Bronte’s. They focused on polite society whereas this book shows a part of England they may not have known existed.

Unfortunately for me, this book was only just published so I’ll have to wait all too long for the sequel. I know it will be well worth the wait, but still….

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turrean's review

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adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.25

Kudos for queer representation, for sharing a character’s journey away from religious belief, and for some fascinating Regency vulgarities.

However, the lighthearted Austenesque situation at the beginning of the book is quickly overshadowed by some horrific set pieces (the brothel, the hospital, the madhouse.) The descriptions of human trafficking, rape, brutal and inhuman incarceration, and the tortures of surgery with no anesthesia were doubtless historically accurate but no less painful to read. The copy of the book I read had an excerpt of a review right above the title: “Smart and sassy!!” which was an odd choice for a book that tells unflinchingly of the treatment of women in that era.

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alyssajp's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

Adventurous. Action. Feminist. Sisterhood. A bit of romance. Tackles some heavy topics including breast cancer, faith, confinement, graphic neglect/abuse; not a "light-hearted" read.

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