nicoletallywhite's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, though on the long side with some details that seemed cumbersome to me UNTIL the end. When the author brings everything full circle to show how this still occurs in 2021, it really gave the whole book even more meaning. While reading, I was impressed with Elizabeth Packard and all she accomplished, but even more so in seeing how women are still stifled 15o+ years later!
katiemack's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I’m not sure what to rate this. The story itself is compelling; Elizabeth’s writing is so sharp and perceptive, and she’s an incredibly brave and intelligent figure in history. Kate Moore’s writing, though, gets too bogged down by small details and novelistic flourishes—I admire the amount of research she did for this book, but there’s only so much I can read about the weather or the amount of time Elizabeth spent on sewing.
This book did make me want to read Elizabeth’s works, though, which are apparently all available on hoopla (shameless library plug).
This book did make me want to read Elizabeth’s works, though, which are apparently all available on hoopla (shameless library plug).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
murphys_bee's review
4.0
I thought this was interesting and I didn’t dread picking it up. I liked that the audiobook was read by the author. I wish there was a little more about the long-term impact of her work or about what her life looked like after her freedom (I wanted more information in the epilogue/afterword)
kbrown5455's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth Packard was a devout wife and mother who fought against her husband’s declaration that she was mentally ill- for her alternative interpretation of religion. This is her struggle for freedom, then understanding, and ultimately rights for herself and other women - in the 19th century.
jennam13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
someonesmom's review against another edition
5.0
Elizabeth Packard is a true heroine. Her story is compelling, frustrating, and uplifting.
Elizabeth is falsely imprisoned in an asylum by her husband Theophilius when she begins to question his religious teachings and starts to speak out about what she believes. Their views of God are radically different. Believe it or not, in the 1800's America not only did women not have rights, but married women also had even fewer rights. Husbands could have their wives committed for just not behaving how they wanted them to.
Asylums had abysmal treatment of patients-the sane and the truly mentally ill. Elizabeth not only goes on to speak out for the rights of women but the rights of asylum patients.
I'm leaving a lot out here because I don't want to spoil too much. Please read this wonderful book and learn about an amazing woman.
Elizabeth is falsely imprisoned in an asylum by her husband Theophilius when she begins to question his religious teachings and starts to speak out about what she believes. Their views of God are radically different. Believe it or not, in the 1800's America not only did women not have rights, but married women also had even fewer rights. Husbands could have their wives committed for just not behaving how they wanted them to.
Asylums had abysmal treatment of patients-the sane and the truly mentally ill. Elizabeth not only goes on to speak out for the rights of women but the rights of asylum patients.
I'm leaving a lot out here because I don't want to spoil too much. Please read this wonderful book and learn about an amazing woman.
angie_spumoni's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
sde's review against another edition
3.0
It was hard for me to rate this one. The title woman, Elizabeth Packard, was an amazing woman who spearheaded change in mental institutions despite being (wrongly) committed to one. Why isn't she more famous? Why hadn't I heard of her before? She was so determined, indominable, and was up against odds that I never could have overcome.
But I felt the story went on too long with too many details. Yet almost all of it is based on amazing research and primary sources, so if I were the writer, I am not sure what I would cut out.
But I felt the story went on too long with too many details. Yet almost all of it is based on amazing research and primary sources, so if I were the writer, I am not sure what I would cut out.