A review by caseyemorgan
The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas

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

4.5

“Truth be told, whether free or incarcerated, women were not safe anywhere. Since the dawn of time, they had been the victims of decisions that were taken without their consent.” 
I picked this book up on a whim when Barnes and Noble had their sale on hardbacks, and I am so glad that I did. Victoria Mas tells the tragic stories of three women and the Salpêtrière psychiatric hospital in 1880s Paris. She tackles the topics of grief, freedom, trauma, and sanity; all while she develops characters that you truly root for. I really enjoyed reading the stories of all of the “mad” (but not really mad) women who made the hospital their home. Oh, and there’s ghosts in there. Which really adds to any story. 
I loved it and will definitely pick up her next book. (4.5⭐️)
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