A review by spang
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Discussion of the ableism in the book:

I thought that the handling of Bergitta was going to be done well, and overall I do think it was. Bergitta is a middle aged woman with some undefined (due to lack of doctor availability and also the times) developmental disability. At one point the main characters clarify that they are not going to attempt to diagnose her since she isn't there (died decades previously), which was good to read. And the book takes a very very clear statement that the people who were afraid of Bergitta were in the wrong and horrible people for what they did, which was also good to see. However, the handling of Tone's psychosis sort of ruined the entire thing. Because Tone had once had a psychotic episode, the entire group of people decides she is "deranged" and dangerous and violent and can't be trusted. The main character, Alice, tries to defend her at first, but eventually gives in to the idea that she must be - directly going against the way the narrative defended Bergitta. Basically, the story defended Bergitta but persecuted Tone - and also sort of made it seem like her psychosis was supposed to be Bergitta possessing her? Maybe? Unclear, but in the end a really poor handling of mental health.
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