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geerbeer's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
1.0
Just not my cup of tea. I already knew all of this, because of American Horror Story Asylum, which I would recommend to anyone who can handle scary/eerie things π€·π»ββοΈπ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Torture, Classism, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Chronic illness, and Confinement
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
displacedcactus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
This is a graphic novel adaptation of Bly's undercover reporting on conditions at the women's asylum on Blackwell Island. If you've ever watched a horror movie where inmates at an asylum were treated cruelly, it was probably inspired in part by what Bly witnessed during her ten-day stay. Thankfully, the graphic novel takes a tasteful approach -- when the women are stripped and bathed, we are shown only suggested nudity. Women describe being beaten, but we don't see it happen. As such, this book feels appropriate for teen readers with an interest in history or journalism. I probably wouldn't give it to readers younger than that.
This is a very quick read -- I read most of it just waiting for a slightly-late doctor's appointment. You could probably read it in an hour or less in a single sitting. The black and white artwork is just detailed enough to set the scene, without being so detailed that you get lost in it.
This is a very quick read -- I read most of it just waiting for a slightly-late doctor's appointment. You could probably read it in an hour or less in a single sitting. The black and white artwork is just detailed enough to set the scene, without being so detailed that you get lost in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, and Xenophobia
alyssamakesart's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Some transitions, especailly in part one, were kinda jarring I thought maybe the pages were stuck together. I don't think it was just the art, but the writing adaption elements too. By parts 2 & 3, it was great, though. I'm not sure if this is the artist' main style - but what was chosen was really cool because it fit the time period well. Also I was getting Junji Ito vibes from the way horror was depicted and the use of black and white only (no greys).
I encourage you to read the afterward of the book. I read this adaptation less than a week after NYC Mayor Adams (I'm in TX, not NY) pushed for forced institutionalizing (more than what's already allowed) in order to clear out homeless people despite the data pushing for a housing-first approach for good results, βand this book really hit in that respect. I didn't count off for this, but it would've been nice to include resources for more reading other than for aid for those in need of resources. (Which by the way was really important and something that shows the motivation for adapting the text.)
I encourage you to read the afterward of the book. I read this adaptation less than a week after NYC Mayor Adams (I'm in TX, not NY) pushed for forced institutionalizing (more than what's already allowed) in order to clear out homeless people despite the data pushing for a housing-first approach for good results, βand this book really hit in that respect. I didn't count off for this, but it would've been nice to include resources for more reading other than for aid for those in need of resources. (Which by the way was really important and something that shows the motivation for adapting the text.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Torture, Violence, Ableism, and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny and Xenophobia
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