You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I wouldn't say that this is a poorly written book (granted it isn't the most astounding writing in the world), but it sure is poorly concluded. I was very interested in the subject matter, and I was compelled to finish the story, but I was extremely disappointed in how things were wrapped up. It felt rushed, incomplete, and I did not enjoy it.
Book based on the horrors of mental institutions and what if you were committed just because you fell in love with the wrong man. So sad. But based on true stories of the past.
This book was emotional. I really enjoyed how Ellen brought so much emotion and heart into the story. Definitely recommend this story.
OMGGGG I loved this book. Stayed up all night. Sobbed by the end... Bless the kind souls who mentioned this book in a review of another book...
SUMMARY: The main story is with Izzy, a 17-yo who is in the foster system, recently placed in a new home. (Her mother is in jail for murdering her father, she doesn't speak to her). The foster family she works with is creating a museum about a long-shuttered state asylum in the area. Izzy comes across a trunk that was owned by a patient and becomes curious about here. The book then alternates chapters between Izzy and Clara, the owner of the trunk.
Izzy's story covers her struggles at a new school (fitting in, bullying, boys), coming to grips with what really happened with her mother/father's death, trying to know if this new foster family is "for real" and she is uncovering information about Clara by reading her journal.
Clara's story is heart-breaking: A rich girl who fell in love with a boy her parents didn't approve of so they send her away to an asylum. Clara is desperate to get out, esp knowing she is pregnant, and you are with her during her 'imprisonment' and attempts to escape, what happens to the father of her baby, and eventually her baby.
Both stories are so beautifully layered and caused me to feel every kind of emotion. I loved Clara and Izzy so much. Overall the story is a meditation on how when we help others, we help ourselves.
Highly, highly recommend, especially for fans of [b:Before We Were Yours|32148570|Before We Were Yours|Lisa Wingate|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498910914l/32148570._SY75_.jpg|52786185]
SUMMARY: The main story is with Izzy, a 17-yo who is in the foster system, recently placed in a new home. (Her mother is in jail for murdering her father, she doesn't speak to her). The foster family she works with is creating a museum about a long-shuttered state asylum in the area. Izzy comes across a trunk that was owned by a patient and becomes curious about here. The book then alternates chapters between Izzy and Clara, the owner of the trunk.
Izzy's story covers her struggles at a new school (fitting in, bullying, boys), coming to grips with what really happened with her mother/father's death, trying to know if this new foster family is "for real" and she is uncovering information about Clara by reading her journal.
Clara's story is heart-breaking: A rich girl who fell in love with a boy her parents didn't approve of so they send her away to an asylum. Clara is desperate to get out, esp knowing she is pregnant, and you are with her during her 'imprisonment' and attempts to escape, what happens to the father of her baby, and eventually her baby.
Both stories are so beautifully layered and caused me to feel every kind of emotion. I loved Clara and Izzy so much. Overall the story is a meditation on how when we help others, we help ourselves.
Highly, highly recommend, especially for fans of [b:Before We Were Yours|32148570|Before We Were Yours|Lisa Wingate|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498910914l/32148570._SY75_.jpg|52786185]
This book was very good but also very sad. Just like “The Lost Girls of Willowbrook” this book goes into grave detail about the treatment at mental hospitals which is just so so sad. I give this book 3.5 stars only bc Izzy kinda annoyed me throughout this book, specially when it came to her bully. I just wanted to jump through the book sometimes. Clara on the other hand, absolutely loved her and my heart broke for her maybe 100x throughout this book. She was such a strong character. Great book, def would recommend
Touching book
Couldn't put it down, read it in one afternoon. Heart breaking to know how patients in asylums were treated for action and feelings we take for granted today
Couldn't put it down, read it in one afternoon. Heart breaking to know how patients in asylums were treated for action and feelings we take for granted today
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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:
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:
No
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
emotional