Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Mad Women's Ball 
Author: Victoria Mas
Publisher: Overlook
Release Date: 9.7.21


Publisher’s Summary
A literary historical novel detailing the horrors faced by institutionalized women in 19th century Paris—soon to be a major film with Amazon Studios

The Salpetriere Asylum: Paris, 1885. Dr. Charcot holds all of Paris in thrall with his displays of hypnotism on women who have been deemed mad and cast out from society. But the truth is much more complicated—these women are often simply inconvenient, unwanted wives, those who have lost something precious, wayward daughters, or girls born from adulterous relationships. For Parisian society, the highlight of the year is the Lenten ball—the Madwomen’s Ball—when the great and good come to gawk at the patients of the Salpetriere dressed up in their finery for one night only. For the women themselves, it is a rare moment of hope.

Genevieve is a senior nurse. After the childhood death of her sister Blandine, she shunned religion and placed her faith in both the celebrated psychiatrist Dr. Charcot and science. But everything begins to change when she meets Eugenie—the 19-year-old daughter of a bourgeois family that has locked her away in the asylum. Because Eugenie has a secret: she sees spirits. Inspired by the scandalous, banned work that all of Paris is talking about, The Book of Spirits, Eugenie is determined to escape from the asylum—and the bonds of her gender—and seek out those who will believe in her. And for that she will need Genevieve's help . . .

My Review

I have been pondering this review because I wanted to provide more feedback than simply saying this was a letdown. When I first read the summary I assumed this would be a firm five-star read for me, but it is a three, at best. I think the problem here is the length of the story. It would have been more powerful as a short story (on par with Shirley Jackson) or as a bit longer novel. Taking it as it is, I felt like I read an almost complete novel outline, but missed out on the final round of detail additions. The upcoming Amazon movie is likely to be better than the book.