Ashwell, Massachusetts, 1871. In a time where women are raised to become wives and mothers, Samuel Hood, his friend David and his daughter Caroline decide to start a school for girls, teaching them to be critical thinkers. At the same time a population of tiny red birds, Trilling Hearts, flock the area.
The girls are perfect students, soaking up knowledge, while the birds continue to show up in the most unexpected ways.
All is well until one of the girls starts having falling fits. Pretty soon all the girls get sick. A doctor is called in and diagnoses 'hysteria' before even really examining the girls.

This book drew me in from the start and I finished it in one sitting. The writing is exquisite, fast paced, exciting and kept me in class as well as exploring the gorgeous surroundings. It has mystery, intrigue and its characters are well rounded, indepth, each one unique and beautifully portrayed.

But then the treatment starts. So brutally invading it made me sick and that nausea stayed with me throughout the final chapters. Chapters I found rushed compaired to the first three quarters of the book, which were very descriptive. What started as a hugely impressive read, suddenly inflated and left me confused.
I still don't know what ignited the illness, if the treatment cured the girls and how these tiny red birds fit in, other than being symbolic.
Definitely a beautiful story that deserves another read to fully comprehend it all.

Thank you Netgalley and Doubleday for the ARC.

A strange and novel read which has gripped me tightly.

Caroline Hood lives with her father Samuel, a philosopher and essayist, who decides to set up a school for young ladies – soon the Trilling Heart school is open with a small number of live-in scholars. Most notable among them Eliza Pearson Bell, daughter of Miles Pearson, one time associate of Samuel Bell, but now much maligned by him.

The trilling hearts of the school’s name are rare birds, not seen for decades, but currently populating the local area. They have stunning red feathers and build incredibly structured nests; they’re sometimes described as beautiful, but just as often as creepy.

Somehow the girls at the school including Caroline seem linked to the birds, the birds’ activity seems to capture the girls’ behaviour and imagination. Before long the girls are exhibiting physical symptoms – rashes, fainting, twitching – is this linked to the birds? Is it contagious? Is it just normal everyday life? A doctor is brought in who diagnoses ‘hysteria’ – the book becomes very uncomfortable at this point but reading her acknowledgements, Clare Beams has clearly done much research into this subject. If only the world had #MeToo at that point, and women were allowed to be stronger.

A highly unique read, very highly recommended.

Love this book. Until the end! Someone needed to edit it but if you ignore that - it is brilliant. I loved the characters and the mystery birds, making their girl shaped nest. As the author's introduction mentions it is very timely. Also sad and naive.

The Illness Lesson was a captivating read. The prose was a delight, and its style added to the sense of historical period. The story posed many questions, such as the connection between body and mind and the rights of women over their own bodies. Meanwhile, the arrival of the birds and the part they played created an interesting metaphor. I found myself caught up in the world and the action, always eager to turn the page to see how things would progress. Overall this was both a gripping and a thought-provoking read and definitely a book that will stay in my mind for a long time. A solid 4.5 stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.