The last few books I've read made me realize that if I'd lived in past times, I'd probably be hanged as a witch or locked up in an insane asylum. The Madwomen's Ball is one of those books. The book made me so grateful that it is okay to be weird today. This is a historical fiction and ghost story based on a real insane asylum for women and it's annual ball where the women were displayed like a carnival sideshow. Some of the women were mentally ill, but many were there because their families wanted to rid themselves of opinionated women and girls. Others had epilepsy so families hid them away. Most of the women and girls were never released. At this Paris asylum the only thing most had to look forward to was the annual Lenten Ball, also known as "The Mad Women's Ball." Even though they looked forward to it, the attendees from the outside world came hoping to see a freak show. Although it's a story about a young woman who sees spirits, the book is really about the nurse who, after studying medicine and working at the hospital for 20 years, discovers that she is no more respected by the doctors than are the inmates. It's really a journey of discovery by the 50-year-old nurse. All in all, the inmates are the appealing characters and the doctors are horrific. It's okay to be different now. It's okay. It really is. Go for it. An intriguing book. Thanks to Netgalley, the author Victoria Mas, and The Overlook Press for allowing me to read and review this ebook.
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