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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Sometimes scrolling through a friend on Instagram book highlights, leads to finding gems like this. I read and research books a lot, but had not heard of this one or author, Amanda Skenandore. I learned a little about leprocy while reading The Covenant of Water, but so much more reading this. I had no idea this place existed in Louisiana and is now The National Hansen’s Disease Museum. Although, these characters are fictional, the author did a fantastic job echoing what I believe those who lived in this colony dealt with. Mirielle was a fantastic character, as were so many others in this story. I enjoyed watching her grow stronger and her heart soften. I shed a few tears while reading, as my heart hurt for all they went through. I’ve already ordered more books by this author and look forward to reading them.
A heartbreaking but well-written story of a leprosy colony in Louisiana during the 1920s. An unexpected find and an unexpected story that will remain with me for a long time.
A small discolored patch on her hand is the only thing vexing the otherwise charmed life of Mirielle West--well to do wife of a silent film star in the 1920s and mother to their young children. When she receives a diagnosis of leprosy, she doesn't have much time to process before she's relocated to Carville, a leprosy colony in Louisiana. Conditions are rough at Carville and Mirielle (now going by Charlie for privacy reasons) realizes she might never leave this place.
This one was tough to read at times, but always riveting and informative. I'll admit to knowing very little about leprosy and it was hard to read some of the depictions of people virtually thrown away by their families due to this diagnosis.
This one was tough to read at times, but always riveting and informative. I'll admit to knowing very little about leprosy and it was hard to read some of the depictions of people virtually thrown away by their families due to this diagnosis.
4,5- Mirielle West est la femme d'un célèbre acteur de films muets. Depuis la mort accidentelle d'un de ses enfants elle se réfugie dans l'alcool et dans la frivolité. Mais le plus dur reste à venir quand on lui diagnostique la lèpre et qu'elle est emmenée contre son gré dans un établissement spécialisé, la coupant de la famille qui lui reste.
Audiobook. 3.5 stars. Very interesting. I learned a lot and it’s so sad to be exiled for so many years with no contact from your family.
I wish there had been an author’s note on what happened to Carville, LA leprosy colony. I found online it was open until 1999.
If you want another book about leprosy, read Moloka’i. It is set on Molokai island in Hawaii.
I wish there had been an author’s note on what happened to Carville, LA leprosy colony. I found online it was open until 1999.
If you want another book about leprosy, read Moloka’i. It is set on Molokai island in Hawaii.
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
The main character was so insufferable for so long I barely held on to reading this, but it was pretty interesting and evocative. The love story is quite underdeveloped which of course bothers me as a romance reader
Simply looking at the cover of this book does not do the story within justice. You are instantly dropped into the emotions of 1920s California where a socialite is diagnosed with leprosy. Whisked away under an alias, as many did to protect their families from shame, Marielle becomes Polly and her entire world is flipped upside down. I enjoy reading historical fiction but hadn't a clue about so much that I learned in this book. Colonies erected to house the afflicted (and segregated, as well). This story was an absolute transport of my emotions as a reader. Will be a favorite of this year.
Wow! This was a fascinating, but terribly sad (and at the same time uplifting) book that takes place in the 1920s. Mirielle is the wife of a silent movie star and is a shallow and self-absorbed snob when she learns she has leprosy. I came to love Mirielle as she grew as a person living in Carville, a leper colony in Louisiana that I didn't know existed. I only knew about the colony on Moloka'i. The terrible stigma of the time was heartbreaking to read about as many people were rejected by society and family alike.