What She Left Behind
3 journalers for this copy...
I got this book just for Bookcrossing and will read and or release, I don't know which yet!
I couldn't think of anything worse that could happen to anyone than what happens in this book to Clara Cartwright. A rich heiress and only daughter of a prominent banker, Clara enjoys her life to the fullest despite the neglect of her mother and the 'strictness' of her father. But behind this veneer of a fun and fulfilling life, fate is steering her towards her doom. She falls in love with an Italian immigrant called Bruno Moretti, and her parents disapprove. When she has an argument with her father about it and calls him out for being too harsh with her brother, indirectly leading to his suicide, her father calls the police and has Clara committed to an asylum!
At first, she lived in luxury, if forcibly detained against her will. When her father loses money in the stock market crash of 1929, Clara is removed to a state asylum. The terrible things she faces there, and the complete lack of belief the doctors and other staff had about anything she told them, cranks up the horror-feel of the story. What is really horrible is that Clara's story is the story of many women (and men) who were forcibly kept in mental asylums and treated abysmally.
There is also an alternate plot running in 1995, where Isabelle Stone is moved from one foster home to another and is bullied at school. I found this story-line less compelling, though it was necessary for the conclusion.
At first, she lived in luxury, if forcibly detained against her will. When her father loses money in the stock market crash of 1929, Clara is removed to a state asylum. The terrible things she faces there, and the complete lack of belief the doctors and other staff had about anything she told them, cranks up the horror-feel of the story. What is really horrible is that Clara's story is the story of many women (and men) who were forcibly kept in mental asylums and treated abysmally.
There is also an alternate plot running in 1995, where Isabelle Stone is moved from one foster home to another and is bullied at school. I found this story-line less compelling, though it was necessary for the conclusion.
Released as part of the Wishlist Tag Game, Enjoy!
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To the finder of this book:
Welcome to BookCrossing! This book you found is now yours to read, enjoy, keep or pass on to another reader.
The BookCrossing ID, which you entered in the "Enter a BCID" box on the website, is unique to this copy of this book. We would be delighted if you would make a journal entry to say you have found the book.
BookCrossing is FREE to join and a great deal of fun, completely confidential, and you may remain anonymous. If you choose to join please consider using me BOOKSTOGIVE as your referring member.
Thanks for granting one of my wishes! I'll look forward to reading this.
I found this book riveting. The whole ordeal of Clara being in an insane asylum and the mistreatment of her and the other patients was unfathomable. I kept thinking that someone would have to step in and help, but it was all so believable. I could easily see how corruption and cruelty would go unchecked.
I'm loaning this to my mom. She loves stories set in asylums, I think because her great-grandmother was in one. (Alcoholism)
I'm loaning this to my mom. She loves stories set in asylums, I think because her great-grandmother was in one. (Alcoholism)
Thanks, mrsjones! This looks so interesting.