msnyderk's review against another edition
4.0
This was a unique and interesting story. I loved Charlotte’s determination and devotion to her sister. The inner workings of the sanitarium were interesting and the ending satisfying.
bookapotamus's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to start this right off by saying the chick in this book is cray-cray!! I don't care what the synopsis says about Charlotte voluntarily entering a loony bin solely to find here sister - just THAT alone, makes you batty in my book! I don't have a sister, but I have best friends I consider sisters... and nope!! Sorry guys. You're on your own. Enjoy the crazy pills cause my tush is sitting right here til you get out on your own!
So, that's where this story finds us - in the super creepy Goldengrove Asylum. I picture the Overlook Hotel from The Shining with it's very own Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and it is not anywhere I would ever voluntarily visit! And that is where Charlotte's sister Phoebe has been sent because she stood up to their parents to defend her sister. Charlotte feels like it's all her fault, and is determined to get her sister out and and back home where she belongs. So she fakes a bit of crazy and soon becomes 'Woman 99.'
I've read in other publications some of the insane things that women were committed for in the 19th Century - including: laziness, superstition, political excitement, masturbation and (gasp!) novel reading??? But Charlotte soon comes to find that a huge number of her roomies in the loony are, in fact, quite sane.
It's thriller at heart but the history is rich and vivid. Although it started a bit slow for me - the pace slowly grew and anticipation built at just the speed you'd want it to. I loved the vibrant descriptions of a less-than-vibrant setting and the suspense and mystery took me for a wild ride that twisted and turned with heartache and desperation. The treatment (or lack of) of these women was abhorrent and made me cringe - but the strength and resiliency was uplifting.
A really unique and thrilling trip into a time and place of irrational fears, harrowing madness, and the strength of the human spirit to deal with it all
So, that's where this story finds us - in the super creepy Goldengrove Asylum. I picture the Overlook Hotel from The Shining with it's very own Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and it is not anywhere I would ever voluntarily visit! And that is where Charlotte's sister Phoebe has been sent because she stood up to their parents to defend her sister. Charlotte feels like it's all her fault, and is determined to get her sister out and and back home where she belongs. So she fakes a bit of crazy and soon becomes 'Woman 99.'
I've read in other publications some of the insane things that women were committed for in the 19th Century - including: laziness, superstition, political excitement, masturbation and (gasp!) novel reading??? But Charlotte soon comes to find that a huge number of her roomies in the loony are, in fact, quite sane.
It's thriller at heart but the history is rich and vivid. Although it started a bit slow for me - the pace slowly grew and anticipation built at just the speed you'd want it to. I loved the vibrant descriptions of a less-than-vibrant setting and the suspense and mystery took me for a wild ride that twisted and turned with heartache and desperation. The treatment (or lack of) of these women was abhorrent and made me cringe - but the strength and resiliency was uplifting.
A really unique and thrilling trip into a time and place of irrational fears, harrowing madness, and the strength of the human spirit to deal with it all
opanda's review against another edition
3.0
Real mixed feelings about this one. For the most part, I liked it. But every time the main character had an idea but didn’t know how to execute it or was literally saying that she had no clue what to do next, the answer just fell into her lap. She even comments on it herself by saying that something happened like magic. Overall, I liked the premise and enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end where she explains where some of the information came from and what was fictionalized.
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
3.0
I am giving this 3 out of 5 because it did start off slow and I almost dnf’ed it because I was actually having a hard time and couldn’t stay interested in the story.
I do like the Author’s writing style thought.
I do like the Author’s writing style thought.
historybabe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
amandabethrose's review against another edition
4.0
The period in history where women could be committed to an insane asylum as easily as pushing them out onto the front steps and for as little a reason as her husband wanting to have an affair is both fascinating and horrifying, made none the less so by its relative recentness. In this story of two sisters - the one who was committed and the one who went to save her - we are immersed in the world of a fictional asylum set in California. Through the wide and vibrant cast of characters we are introduced to stories that draw from history. Heartbreak, betrayal, found family, friendship and sisterhood all give voice to a thrilling story.
jacieandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, great read. I love that the asylum at least had good intentions and this wasn’t just a retelling on Nellie Bly. Though, it was no cake walk and it shows the importance of those who have authority, it wasn’t just a story of “here’s all the horrible things asylums used to do”. MC’s growth was really interesting to see, though I personally was rooting for her to stay single. I will definitely be keeping any eye out for more Greer McAllister!
bags_and_bookz's review against another edition
3.0
Goodreads says it is “a vivid historical thriller about young woman whose quest to free her sister from an infamous insane asylum risks her sanity, her safety and her life”. Sounds intriguing, right? Yes!
Well, the truth is ... it was meh. I gave it 3⭐️ only because I was quite entertained in the middle.
There are so many plot holes and inconsistencies. Charlotte, the protagonist, is about to be married but decided to save her sister who got admitted to the asylum few weeks before. She has an idea but no plan. She made it to her destination but then she needs to find out which ward her sister is in. It seems too easy to change wards in asylum in late 1800s. I have hard time to believe that “insane” woman locked in asylum has easy access to doctor and can persuade him to move her.
Her love story is dubious - too many sentiments, and no real talk. Could I attribute it to the time frame? I think I could but still there a few things that still annoyed me. I don’t want to give you any spoilers so I should stop.
The ending made me do this 🤦🏼♀️
Well, the truth is ... it was meh. I gave it 3⭐️ only because I was quite entertained in the middle.
There are so many plot holes and inconsistencies. Charlotte, the protagonist, is about to be married but decided to save her sister who got admitted to the asylum few weeks before. She has an idea but no plan. She made it to her destination but then she needs to find out which ward her sister is in. It seems too easy to change wards in asylum in late 1800s. I have hard time to believe that “insane” woman locked in asylum has easy access to doctor and can persuade him to move her.
Her love story is dubious - too many sentiments, and no real talk. Could I attribute it to the time frame? I think I could but still there a few things that still annoyed me. I don’t want to give you any spoilers so I should stop.
The ending made me do this 🤦🏼♀️