chrliesangel28's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
This was a great story. Elizabeth was a strong women who was able to overcome so much. Especially in a time when women had no power. They were owned by their husbands but she didn’t let that stop her. She was very impressive.
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
The most enraging book I’ve read so far this year. This is wonderfully researched and told in the most engaging way. The narrator was perfect. This story is one everyone should read.
The epilogue was a gut punch. Highly recommend - as long as you’re prepared to be very angry the entire time.
The epilogue was a gut punch. Highly recommend - as long as you’re prepared to be very angry the entire time.
charlee92's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
3.0
this was an interesting biography. a scary tale with a very moving post script for current times. I did feel it was super long though and there were times I was drudging through it.
kilonshele's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Classism, Chronic illness, and Torture
Minor: Suicide
savento95's review against another edition
5.0
What a wild ride and important story. Again I am reminded of all the women we don't learn about who changed the course of history and the way history changes upon the telling. I want to see a Behind the Bastards podcast about Andrew McFarland. The narration of the book felt pretty seamless as it integrated diary entries from and news about the characters. An altogether enjoyable, educational, and important read.
dorothy_gale's review against another edition
4.0
4★: INSTITUTIONALIZED FOR THINKING! The general theme of this book was not new, but the extent her husband and other men went to lock her up and keep her from her children was disgusting. Thank goodness women have made progress with their rights, but it's unfortunate it was so slow and so many women had their lives destroyed.
kld2128's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, and Mental illness
byashleylamar's review against another edition
5.0
Why does history always seem to erase the contributions of women such as Elizabeth Packard?
I'm so glad I discovered this book by Kate Moore. I first read Radium Girls and was (rightfully) infuriated by everything those women needlessly suffered. To follow that one with The Woman They Could Not Silence has me going down a lot of rabbit holes digging into the stories of the women history forgot. I'm grateful to the author for not shying away from these stories and for doing what she can to bring more attention to them. Where were these stories in our history classes??!
This is a fantastic book that stirred up so much feminist rage in me. Here are a few passages I highlighted while reading...
He'd long been in the habit of trying to control her. "When I was a young lady, I didn't mind it so much," Elizabeth confided, "for then I supposed my husband...knew more than I did, and his will was a better guide for me than my own."
He spoke for her, thought for her, and could do what he wanted with her. The law gave him power to "deprive her of her liberty, and to administer chastisement."
After all, in public, a woman might "preserve the appearance of sanity, and seem so reserved, mild, and well-disposed as completely to deceive the most skillful observers." But if a husband said she was mad behind closed doors then, quite simply, she must be.
Overall, the book infuriated me in the all right ways and opened my eyes even wider to the sad history of the treatment of those with mental health. I cannot wait for more books by this author. I'm so glad she's not afraid to shine a light on these dark areas of history.
I'm so glad I discovered this book by Kate Moore. I first read Radium Girls and was (rightfully) infuriated by everything those women needlessly suffered. To follow that one with The Woman They Could Not Silence has me going down a lot of rabbit holes digging into the stories of the women history forgot. I'm grateful to the author for not shying away from these stories and for doing what she can to bring more attention to them. Where were these stories in our history classes??!
This is a fantastic book that stirred up so much feminist rage in me. Here are a few passages I highlighted while reading...
He'd long been in the habit of trying to control her. "When I was a young lady, I didn't mind it so much," Elizabeth confided, "for then I supposed my husband...knew more than I did, and his will was a better guide for me than my own."
He spoke for her, thought for her, and could do what he wanted with her. The law gave him power to "deprive her of her liberty, and to administer chastisement."
After all, in public, a woman might "preserve the appearance of sanity, and seem so reserved, mild, and well-disposed as completely to deceive the most skillful observers." But if a husband said she was mad behind closed doors then, quite simply, she must be.
Overall, the book infuriated me in the all right ways and opened my eyes even wider to the sad history of the treatment of those with mental health. I cannot wait for more books by this author. I'm so glad she's not afraid to shine a light on these dark areas of history.
debbieg725's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5