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jesssica__berg 's review for:
The Second Life of Mirielle West
by Amanda Skenandore
In the haunting yet profoundly stirring The Second Life of Mirielle West, Amanda Skenandore unveils the poignant narrative set against the backdrop of America’s only leper colony, Carville, Louisiana. This meticulously researched novel, based on the harrowing true story of thousands of individuals branded as lepers and stripped of their civil rights, presents a narrative rich in detail and emotional depth.
Mirielle West, once a dazzling socialite of the 1920s Hollywood Golden Age, finds her life upended when a mere patch of pale skin results in her exile to the Louisiana Leper Home. Skenandore navigates Mirielle's journey from the heights of her glamorous life, filled with bootlegged champagne and star-studded parties, to the isolating and powerless existence within the walls of Carville. The stark contrast paints a vivid picture of a woman forced to reckon with a new identity, far removed from the glittering lights of Hollywood.
Skenandore imbues the narrative with authentic details about the medical practices, experimental treatments, and the lived experiences of the patients at Carville. This attention to detail adds a layer of authenticity that enriches the novel, making Mirielle’s world all the more immersive and authentic.
The characterization of Mirielle and her transformation throughout the novel is where Skenandore truly shines. Mirielle's resilience, her struggle to find community and purpose within the confines of Carville, and her fight against a fate she did not choose makes for a compelling and deeply emotional journey. However, while the characterization is robust and well-developed, the novel could have benefited from more external conflict to heighten the stakes and intensify the reader's engagement with the narrative.
Mirielle West, once a dazzling socialite of the 1920s Hollywood Golden Age, finds her life upended when a mere patch of pale skin results in her exile to the Louisiana Leper Home. Skenandore navigates Mirielle's journey from the heights of her glamorous life, filled with bootlegged champagne and star-studded parties, to the isolating and powerless existence within the walls of Carville. The stark contrast paints a vivid picture of a woman forced to reckon with a new identity, far removed from the glittering lights of Hollywood.
Skenandore imbues the narrative with authentic details about the medical practices, experimental treatments, and the lived experiences of the patients at Carville. This attention to detail adds a layer of authenticity that enriches the novel, making Mirielle’s world all the more immersive and authentic.
The characterization of Mirielle and her transformation throughout the novel is where Skenandore truly shines. Mirielle's resilience, her struggle to find community and purpose within the confines of Carville, and her fight against a fate she did not choose makes for a compelling and deeply emotional journey. However, while the characterization is robust and well-developed, the novel could have benefited from more external conflict to heighten the stakes and intensify the reader's engagement with the narrative.