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A review by 612daphneh_
The Illness Lesson by Clare Beams
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The first thing that strikes me about this book is the struggle. I felt that even though the real action of the plot was not big or great, the emotions were so tumultuous. I became frustrated sometimes seeing how much Caroline was trapped. I always went back to think what I would have done in that situation, and how that Caroline's environment still stifles the amount of "daring" she allows herself to do.
I deeply, deeply hate Hawkins. He was basically sexually assaulting all these women patients in the name of "science". It pains me to see how many female conditions, female pain, female confusion gets undermined because they are considered the lesser gender. I agree with Eliza in saying that Samuel is perhaps worse than Hawkins. Samuel did educate Caroline in a way that she would not have elsewhere, but he also castrated her brilliance, with his disappointment and control. I am really glad where she ended up at the end of the story. While I dislike Sophia for her bimbleness, I also like her honesty. She was the first to speak out, the only to speak out, when things felt bad. Because of her ignorance, she was not restricted by expectations from Samuel. In the beginning of the story, I wished for David and Caroline to get together, but gosh, I dislike his cheating greatly, and he is not enough for her. Her story parallels Anna and Miles'.
Overall, I liked this book. I thought the trilling hearts would be the cause of all their maladies, but really, they are more of a symbol. They are meant to send a message about how females are so gaslit all the time, how history repeats itself, freedom, beauty, and omens. I fear for our own world right now, how America is becoming more and more misogynistic. I wish my voice were enough to change something, but with all these new reproductive rules... who knows what will happen?
I deeply, deeply hate Hawkins. He was basically sexually assaulting all these women patients in the name of "science". It pains me to see how many female conditions, female pain, female confusion gets undermined because they are considered the lesser gender. I agree with Eliza in saying that Samuel is perhaps worse than Hawkins. Samuel did educate Caroline in a way that she would not have elsewhere, but he also castrated her brilliance, with his disappointment and control. I am really glad where she ended up at the end of the story. While I dislike Sophia for her bimbleness, I also like her honesty. She was the first to speak out, the only to speak out, when things felt bad. Because of her ignorance, she was not restricted by expectations from Samuel. In the beginning of the story, I wished for David and Caroline to get together, but gosh, I dislike his cheating greatly, and he is not enough for her. Her story parallels Anna and Miles'.
Overall, I liked this book. I thought the trilling hearts would be the cause of all their maladies, but really, they are more of a symbol. They are meant to send a message about how females are so gaslit all the time, how history repeats itself, freedom, beauty, and omens. I fear for our own world right now, how America is becoming more and more misogynistic. I wish my voice were enough to change something, but with all these new reproductive rules... who knows what will happen?