The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
displacedcactus's review against another edition
This is a very quick read -- I read most of it just waiting for a slightly-late doctor's appointment. You could probably read it in an hour or less in a single sitting. The black and white artwork is just detailed enough to set the scene, without being so detailed that you get lost in it.
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, and Xenophobia
besotted's review against another edition
3.0
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Ableism, Confinement, Medical content, and Mental illness
alyssamakesart's review against another edition
4.0
I encourage you to read the afterward of the book. I read this adaptation less than a week after NYC Mayor Adams (I'm in TX, not NY) pushed for forced institutionalizing (more than what's already allowed) in order to clear out homeless people despite the data pushing for a housing-first approach for good results, —and this book really hit in that respect. I didn't count off for this, but it would've been nice to include resources for more reading other than for aid for those in need of resources. (Which by the way was really important and something that shows the motivation for adapting the text.)
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Torture, Violence, Ableism, and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny and Xenophobia
vigil's review against another edition
5.0
i didn’t get a chance to read the source material beforehand, and this isn’t my first time in aslyum related media, especially in the victorian era, but something about the combination of nellie bly’s storytelling, and the illustrations made this a stand out read for me.Â
Graphic: Confinement, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Medical trauma, Self harm, Ableism, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
zamyatins_fears's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Gaslighting, Abandonment, Bullying, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, and Sexual violence
Written in WW1 originally for the papers, so the abuses mentioned are stated factually, but without graphic descriptions.exlibrissum's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Medical content, Sexism, Torture, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Violence, Mental illness, Chronic illness, Death, Forced institutionalization, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
pouringthemilk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Torture, Mental illness, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Violence, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Classism, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Ten Days in a Mad-House follows Nellie's secret integration into a mental health hospital (though I'm not sure if "hospital" is the right term here, given that it implies some sort of actual care) in order to expose the terrible living conditions of the women therein. She tells not only of abusive staff and horrible treatment practices, but she also dwells a lot on how many women who were trapped there seemed to not need any sort of medical intervention in the first place. (On one hand, I think the added attention to how "sane" some of these women were discounted the fact that nobody, regardless of their mental state, deserved these treatments; on the other hand, Nellie's extra details here may very well have helped everyone across the board, as I can unfortunately very easily imagine a jury being more stricken with empathy for some patients than others.)
All in all, there's probably a bit to be said about Nellie's motives and the ethics behind how she carried out her research, but it's important to note that she made a big impact on the treatment of patients and blew the cover off of a massively disgusting practice (which would continue to be terrible for many decades to come, regardless, but I have to think it was somehow improved by Nellie's works). I appreciate the fact that the creators responsible for adapting this work even mentioned in the afterword how important it is to consider both the intent and impact here.
And finally, speaking of the book as an adaptation itself, while I haven't read the source material, I found the graphic novel to stand on its own incredibly well. The art was well-done, the dialogue and story were easy to follow, and I found it overall very informative and enjoyable (albeit emotionally difficult). I highly recommend it, whether you're new to Ten Days in a Mad-House or looking to experience it again in a new, fresh way.Â
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Confinement, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death
clairestream's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse and Ableism
llincathryn's review against another edition
Graphic: Ableism, Physical abuse, and Torture