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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
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
Thid was an eye-opening read that dove into a part of history I knew nothing about. The book sheds light on how racial bias and the asylum system intertwined under Jim Crow laws, revealing a dark and often overlooked piece of history. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking exploration that left me with a deeper understanding of racial injustices in mental health.
This is a subject that many do not think about when it comes to the Jim Crow Era. This book has a lot of information that is interesting to read. I wish that the book was able to cover more asylums that were segregated as it could add more information. Over very moving and informative.
I cried so many times while reading this. Largely due to the frustration and hurt that is woven into the entirety of Crownsville’s history and the treatment of Black mental health. Not only is this book extremely important in cementing the stories of all those who passed through Crownsville, but also making sure to hold those who were complicit in the mistreatment and discrimination accountable. Hylton has done a wonderful job at weaving together the stories of staff, patients, and families who have all been impacted by the asylum. It was so interesting to be able to hear their individual stories and experiences while also seeing how a community was also created and transformed throughout the history of the asylum. I highly recommend this book.