b3thanamy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0


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sofiasss's review against another edition

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informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

An inspirational feminist biography. 

I liked how the biography read as a novel. The writing was very gripping and took me on an emotional journey with Elizabeth. You really begin to understand the historical context and consider the different social perspectives. One of my favourite things about this book was how Kate Moore used historical sources for speech and seamlessly integrated her research.  

I think this book was a great commentary on the fundamental views on women based on the neurological differences between males and females and how this affects power. As a young women, it gave insight into the changes that have happened and the similarities that remain. It also provides insight into the importance of patients’ rights and how we as a society view people struggling with mental health, as well as the importance of evidence-based medicine. 

Kate Moore highlights how ‘a person’s powerlessness may lead to struggles with their mental health’. I find it fascinating how Elizabeth uses her faith to empower her, whilst others use it to suppress her. Her relationship with her faith was something that she used to push her past adversity. 

I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend.  

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laurenkimoto's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

Elizabeth is a BAMF 
And we hate men

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nerdglasses08's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad

4.5


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brigitte's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Determined to stop casually using the words “crazy” and “insane” bc they were too long used as medium for subjugation of minorities.  

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cammiem8's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative sad slow-paced

4.5

Her husband gaslights her. 
Her doctor gatekeeps her in an asylum for years. 
She girlbosses her way out. 

Jokes aside, I really loved this book and preferred it to Radium Girls by miles. Moore’s biggest downfall is that she simply can’t seem to cut things out of her books, but despite the length, my attention was held the entire time. The story was so human and compassionate, and the kindness of its protagonist gave my heart sympathetic little flutters throughout.

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bethbarron's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative tense medium-paced

4.0

Wow. Just wow.

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lpdx's review against another edition

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informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5


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odrib's review against another edition

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informative inspiring sad slow-paced

5.0


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aiyam's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Elizabeth Packard is one of my favorite feminists so I was extremely excited to find this book. Kate Moore absolutely did her story justice.

The book goes in-depth from the beginning of her first confinement to the end of her life, with all of her accomplishments as a free woman. I found the outsider's point of view interesting. Knowing what the doctor was writing in his files, what her friends were advocating for, and what her husband was doing back home was fascinating, especially as Packard herself didn't know any of it. That decision from the author really highlighted for me just how isolated and in the dark Packard was kept. 

Packard's story is one of injustice and anger, and I felt every emotion with her while reading this. If you call yourself a mental health advocate or a feminist then this story is an absolute must-read. 

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