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A review by meesvsbooks
The Degenerates by J. Albert Mann
5.0
First a bit of information: In the early twentieth century, institutions for so-called ‘Feeble-Minded’ people were being established all over the world. Disabled and marginalized people, who were deemed unworthy, were locked behind these doors for life. This story portrays the dark history of these kind of institutions. It’s heartbreaking and terrifying. The Massachusetts school in this book isn’t a made up school, it was founded in 1848, and did not close until 2014.
The Degenerates features four young girls in the early 1900s, who are sent to the Massachusetts school for the Feeble-Minded, simply because they don’t fit in. Having down syndrome, a club foot or being pregnant at fourteen; if society views you as different or less, you’re locked up. They are being bullied by their peers and treated as imbeciles by the teachers. Their fate is already destined, as they are institutionalized for life, but these girls won’t accept that.
This book was so good, but also extremely painful. Through alternating pov’s of the four girls, we get an insight at what life at the institution is like. Awful things happen there, and it is definitely not a happy story. However, the bond between these four girls is heartwarming.
Their personalities and backstories are unique, diverse and very well developed. They are such strong, powerful young women, who deserve so much more then what they get.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a difficult subject but a very important one. Read the trigger warnings before starting, as it can be heavy.
The Degenerates features four young girls in the early 1900s, who are sent to the Massachusetts school for the Feeble-Minded, simply because they don’t fit in. Having down syndrome, a club foot or being pregnant at fourteen; if society views you as different or less, you’re locked up. They are being bullied by their peers and treated as imbeciles by the teachers. Their fate is already destined, as they are institutionalized for life, but these girls won’t accept that.
This book was so good, but also extremely painful. Through alternating pov’s of the four girls, we get an insight at what life at the institution is like. Awful things happen there, and it is definitely not a happy story. However, the bond between these four girls is heartwarming.
Their personalities and backstories are unique, diverse and very well developed. They are such strong, powerful young women, who deserve so much more then what they get.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a difficult subject but a very important one. Read the trigger warnings before starting, as it can be heavy.