Reviews

Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum by Antonia Hylton

staceyliu95's review against another edition

dark informative sad tense medium-paced

3.75

amyjo25's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Mental illness

Moderate: Suicide

kglynch's review

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

cptobies1999's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.75

spazgirl76's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

ashnicfire's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

It is very hard to put into words how powerful this book is. Antonia weaved together an incredible commentary on the history of Crownsville Hospital through thoughtful anecdotes from former staff and patients. These stories were sourced through lots of care and encouragement from herself and the local community who desperately wanted this story told. 

The crossroads of a history of mental health and racial segregation is a tragic one. Many stories in this book are not easy to read, but it is so important to understand because much of Jim Crow's legacy still lingers. 

It never felt like a slog to read this since Antonia is a great writer. While it's not one you can sit down for hours to read, it'll certainly occupy your headspace long after reading a single chapter. I would certainly recommend this to anyone who enjoys history non-fiction and particularly those with an interest in racism and mental health. 

entropydoc's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

marjoryreads's review against another edition

dark informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

schout's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

elijah_'s review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25