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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I was first drawn to The Mad Women's Ball because of its beautiful cover. Set in 19th century Paris at a women's mental asylum, this book doesn't necessarily scream 'happy.' But it piqued my interest enough to make me think about it for months before finally buying it, and I'm so glad I did - I devoured it in a night.
The storyline follows the women at Salpetriere Asylum as they get ready for the Lenten ball. The relationships between the women and the nurses are so gently crafted, shedding light on all the ways our understanding of mental health has shifted (and, in some ways, has failed to progress). I just loved the ways these women cared for each other despite how they are treated by society, and I grew to care for them as well.
There are some major triggers in this book, including. It irks me when traumatic events that do not necessarily add anything to the storyline are sprinkled onto it regardless, almost as an afterthought, to add more depth to the storytelling but not necessarily to the development of the characters themselves.
Also, not necessarily a content warning, but if you're easily spooked by supernatural content then this might not be for you! I was caught off guard by that bit of the story.
I think going into this book knowing more about its content would have been ideal, but nevertheless, this was one of my favourite reads of the year so far!
The storyline follows the women at Salpetriere Asylum as they get ready for the Lenten ball. The relationships between the women and the nurses are so gently crafted, shedding light on all the ways our understanding of mental health has shifted (and, in some ways, has failed to progress). I just loved the ways these women cared for each other despite how they are treated by society, and I grew to care for them as well.
There are some major triggers in this book, including
Spoiler
abandonment, confinement, and mental health stigma. The biggest one, though, is quite graphic rape scenes, one of which left me especially heartbroken because it felt like a betrayal to the characterAlso, not necessarily a content warning, but if you're easily spooked by supernatural content then this might not be for you! I was caught off guard by that bit of the story.
I think going into this book knowing more about its content would have been ideal, but nevertheless, this was one of my favourite reads of the year so far!
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated