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staceyinthesticks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a book club discussion book for September and I was really looking forward to it because I'm a big true crime fan.
It was a bit of a let down for me though if I'm honest. The cover and blurb made me think it was going to focus more on the criminally insane patients we have heard about over the years, but really it was more about the workings of the institution.
Don't get me wrong, it was really interesting to find out facts I hadn't known before - about the big influence Jimmy Saville had for instance - but the writing wasn't the greatest. There was a lot of repetition, more to fill the book out I think.
It did make me want to research some of the other institutions though, and more in depth into some of the patients.
It was a bit of a let down for me though if I'm honest. The cover and blurb made me think it was going to focus more on the criminally insane patients we have heard about over the years, but really it was more about the workings of the institution.
Don't get me wrong, it was really interesting to find out facts I hadn't known before - about the big influence Jimmy Saville had for instance - but the writing wasn't the greatest. There was a lot of repetition, more to fill the book out I think.
It did make me want to research some of the other institutions though, and more in depth into some of the patients.
nerdybooklady's review against another edition
2.0
Meh it was okay
It had some interesting facts in it and some stories but the writing was atrocious and the author constantly repeats themselves.
It had some interesting facts in it and some stories but the writing was atrocious and the author constantly repeats themselves.
karlamcclatchey's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting read, but heavily sensationalised and a little misleading in its premise. The researchers were indeed up close and personal with the most dangerous residents, but this is less a reveal about the residents and their psychology, rather than a history of the hospital itself. There are many interesting snippets of facts regarding the changes in the hospital and residents and their treatments over the years, as well as the workers, however, it can be dry in areas and the book then throws out some information on infamous inmates to jazz it up. Some of this can be repetitive and a little sensationalist. Repeating bits about Jimmy Saville or The Yorkshire Ripper felt more like a big sell rather than adding to the inner workings of Broadmoor and their practices. I do finding psychology interesting and hoped for a little more detail on cases even in a manner that protects individual identities. While a little disappointing, it is hard not to be drawn to a book that allows a glimpse into one of the world's most famous hospitals.
carlyreads1994's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
hypotheseas's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
I originally thought I wasn't going to get along with this book as, for example, it states that The Yorkshire Ripper only killed 'prostitutes' (both wrong and insensitive) and the wording surrounding one perpetrator's targetting of 'gays'. I'm also a big believer in no notoriety and therefore the title, art work and promises of this book maybe wasn't for me. However, the book is pretty informative and has some good takes, for example, that the hospital is currently inhabited by all men when it opened to home only women, the point of insanity and its portrayal in the media constrasted to the reality of the hospital and that inhabitants of Broadmoor are less likely to reoffend (a very strong argument for incarceration to focus on rehabilitation). While I did continue to disagree with some statements (such as the 'most violent' as the 'most vulnerable') as they weren't explored, I did like and appreciate highlighting victims names and the humanity surrounding crimes (e.g. the heavy focus on the staff).
georgiarose710's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
its_a_novel_idea's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so interesting, it shows accounts of patients inside Broadmoor but also shows us what the real Broadmoor is not the one that to media want us to believe. There are parts of the book I found difficult to read but that isn’t so surprising given the nature of the book and the patients who live at Broadmoor. 4 stars ⭐️