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A review by tesslw
The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas
4.5
TW; rape, abusive parents / guardians, psychiatric / medical abuse, institutionalisation
It is Paris, 1885, and we are walking the corridors and grounds of the Salpêtrière, in the South East of the city. The Salpêtrière is an infamous asylum / psychiatric institute for women denounced and labeled as ‘insane’ or hysterical by the men in their lives, and outcast from society. There is little hope or prospects for the women within these walls - those who are eventually allowed to leave will seldom be able to return to their lives as before, but will live as disgraced women. Many resign themselves to living out their days in confinement. But the latest admission, young Eugenie, knows that she is not mad - and will not rest until she breaks out. Whatever it takes. Our second central character is Genevieve, a senior nurse who has worked at the hospital for the best part of two decades. Whislt she has done her best and adhered to her duties, no patient has ever swayed her before… until now. They are a most unlikely pairing, but it transpires that each has something that the other wants. But will they be prepared to bend their own rules to help one another?
This book follows the patients in a time of particular excitement, as it is the lead up to the infamous Lenten Ball (aka, ‘The Mad Women’s Ball’); an annual event whereby the Parisian elites are able to gain access to the asylum and gawk at the patients - an evening of socialising and entertainment for them, but a glimpse into the outside world for the women inside.
It is Paris, 1885, and we are walking the corridors and grounds of the Salpêtrière, in the South East of the city. The Salpêtrière is an infamous asylum / psychiatric institute for women denounced and labeled as ‘insane’ or hysterical by the men in their lives, and outcast from society. There is little hope or prospects for the women within these walls - those who are eventually allowed to leave will seldom be able to return to their lives as before, but will live as disgraced women. Many resign themselves to living out their days in confinement. But the latest admission, young Eugenie, knows that she is not mad - and will not rest until she breaks out. Whatever it takes. Our second central character is Genevieve, a senior nurse who has worked at the hospital for the best part of two decades. Whislt she has done her best and adhered to her duties, no patient has ever swayed her before… until now. They are a most unlikely pairing, but it transpires that each has something that the other wants. But will they be prepared to bend their own rules to help one another?
This book follows the patients in a time of particular excitement, as it is the lead up to the infamous Lenten Ball (aka, ‘The Mad Women’s Ball’); an annual event whereby the Parisian elites are able to gain access to the asylum and gawk at the patients - an evening of socialising and entertainment for them, but a glimpse into the outside world for the women inside.
I thought this book was wonderful! A true must-read for any historical fiction fans, and particularly lovers of anything gothic, this ticked all my boxes. It is deeply feminist and really exposed the horrors of medical misogyny, as well as bringing a fresh new narrative on mental health. I also really enjoyed how brilliantly nuanced the conversations around grief, guilt, and life after death were.
I found this vivid, evocative and incredibly readable - it’s only a little over 200+ so I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is considering! A real winner for my Women in Translation month.
I found this vivid, evocative and incredibly readable - it’s only a little over 200+ so I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is considering! A real winner for my Women in Translation month.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Rape, and Emotional abuse