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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
Madness by Antonia Hylton provides an in-depth examination of Crownsville Hospital's tumultuous past as a segregated Maryland asylum, spanning 93 years. The author reveals systemic racism and inhumane treatment of Black patients from its inception, where twelve men were coerced into building the facility and became its first inhabitants. By integrating personal accounts with historical context, Hylton illuminates the far-reaching consequences of racial disparities in mental health care, rendering Madness a vital addition to the literature on mental health and civil rights. Hylton's rigorous research and empathetic narrative make this book an enlightening and impactful read.
Some of the reviews of Madness here further prove the necessity and urgency of this book. The claims that this book is "biased" when it's bringing to light systemic disparity shows just how uncomfortable it is to acknowledge the atrocities we have--and continue--to allow to happen in the name of maintaining power and privilege. So much hasn’t changed, it’s unspeakably terrifying. But this book also highlights unsung heroes who championed Black lives and joy despite relentless circumstances. As a Marylander, I recognized names of leaders in here that are memorialized across my state—but wondered why the real heroes names were unfamiliar to me. Maybe our state can change what we uplift and honor, and can move to memorialize these incredible men and women who worked to serve others. Everyone should have to read this book. In Maryland, it should be required reading—for One Maryland One Book, for UMD’s 1st Year Book, and more.
informative
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment
This book was a tough one to read -- anyone who thinks America is not a racist country should read this. The things that happened at this place within my lifetime are shocking. The narrative wanders a bit -- the author tries to weave some of her personal family history into the book and the process of researching the book, and I was more interested in the history of the actual asylum. I think part of the reason why she may have done this is the fact that so many of the records of the hospital were either destroyed or never kept to begin with -- the state did not feel like the patients in this institution were worth the time to even bother with.
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This book is not what I typically read, however it was a fantastic one. Hearing the history of some of the horrible things that took place in my 'Back Yard" was fascinating. It is horrible how they treated the mentally Ill and yet, that treatment is still going on today.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good read/listen to and is interested in the History of Maryland.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good read/listen to and is interested in the History of Maryland.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced