"She opens the window and allows the breeze to carry away all the things that surround her from morning to night - the sad and sardonic faces, the smell of ether and of chloroform...the echoes of whimpers and sighs, the creak of bedsprings beneath restless bodies."

A historical novel set in an 1885 Paris asylum where women and girls are brought by males in their lives, often for no good reason.

This was interesting and different and horrific and sad and unique! And that cover...I love it! Based on the real life Dr. Charcot, a French neurologist and pathologist, women at the asylum are hypnotized to cure them of their hysteria and madness. FYI...some of them are perfectly fine, but are "treated" anyway. It was on the short side for a novel, but I would love for it to have been longer because I really enjoyed it. At the same time, the author conveyed all that was needed - an intriguing storyline, compelling characters, an atmospheric setting, and the hope of possibility.

Originally published in France in August 2019. A movie adaptation was released in 2021.

If asylum settings are interesting to you, go check out this book!

A fictional account of the treatment of women who did not fit their family's expectations. Many were committed to sanitariums, diagnosed with "hysteria", they under went horrific treatments as part of their "cure". Victoria Mas has centered her book around the annual fete that features these women dressed in their finest and placed on display as examples of their era. The newest treatment of this era was hypnotism. It was used along with other surgical methods designed to remove the bad pieces of their selves. It's an eye opener to read of these methods.

Every year, the Salpêtrière Asylum organises a ball for its female patients. This year, in 1885, the patients of the Asylum includes Eugenie. Her arrival at the Asylum will shake up the calm of its days and open the eyes of at least one of its nurses. I was very excited by the premise of The Mad Women's Ball and while the novel addresses many interesting themes, it doesn't quite pack that punch I was hoping for. Thanks to Overlook Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My sincere apologies for the delay.

As some of you know, one of the themes on which my research focuses is female anger. Alongside this topic, I do also find myself very interested in madness, how it was conceptualised and understood, and how it (or the accusation of madness) affected women specifically. This has led me to many very interesting books, among which The Snake Pit by Mary Jane Ward, a fictionalised account of her own time in an asylum, and Audrey Clare Farley's Girls and Their Monsters, a non-fiction deep-dive into the "making of madness in America". Each of these books, despite their differences, opened my eyes anew to the plight of women in asylumns and the way in which madness is used to Other and to denigrate. I hoped for something similar with The Mad Women's Ball, which picked a fascinating time and place to set its scene. The Salpêtrière Asylum, especially under Dr. Charcot. He is a fascinating figure, a pioneer in the field of neurology who worked on a new understanding of Parkinson's disease, and also a man who hypnotized his female patients in front of (mostly male) crowds to display symptoms of their hysteria. While much of his work was beneficial, including his strong claims that hysteria wasn't a "female only" issue, his reputation nowadays mostly focuses on the latter aspect and the way in which he potentially abused the power he held over his female patients by making them "perform". I give this background to show how interesting the Salpêtrière Asylum is, how excellent a setting it makes for a nuanced discussion about madness, abuse of power, but also medical exploration and potential healing. Unfortunately, The Mad Women's Ball wasn't as nuanced as I would have liked.

Eugenie is a young woman, daughter of a well-to-do middle class father who thinks she should really focus on remaining quiet and getting married. Eugenie has a secret, however, which is that she can see ghosts. Upon revealing this to her grandmother, the older woman betrays her to her father and Eugenie is whisked off to Salpêtrière Asylum by her father. Either she is lying, and therefore mad, or she is talking to the dead, and therefore mad and doomed. Alongside Eugenie's tale, the novel is also narrated from the perspectives of Genevieve and Louise. Genevieve is a nurse at the Asylum and has been for decades. She is a devout believer in the science of medicine and in Dr. Charcot. Louise, meanwhile, is a patient at the asylum who occasionally takes part in Dr. Charcot's lectures, where he hypnotises her and she is kind of torn between enjoying the attention and popularity and feeling exposed. Their stories come together as the Asylum prepares itself for the annual "mad women's ball".

Through the eyes of these three women we get three different perspectives on life in the Asylum. Out of the three, quite honestly, I found Genevieve the most interesting. There is something Javert-like about the journey she goes through and out of the three characters, she is the only one who really grows and develops. Other characters, including those drawn from history like Dr. Charcot, feel a bit flat. Dr. Charcot specifically is much more of a villain, a real patriarchal man who dismisses women out of hand, which feels a little harsh considering some of his work. In some ways The Mad Women's Ball feels a little lost, to me. At just over 200 pages, it is not a long book and yet one can see that Mas wanted to tell a variety of stories. She wants to address gender, the patriarchy, class, the study of medicine, Othering, and the female experience. On top of that she brings in spiritualism. I could have done without the ghosts. Or rather, I could have done without the heavy confirmation that Eugenie can actually see ghosts. It is one of the instances in the book where I feel Mas could have created some nuance, by leaving it just open enough whether Eugenie is speaking the truth or somehow imagining it, perhaps indeed suffering from something. I appreciate that then other elements of the plot would have had to be moved about, but the fact that it is an undeniable truth means that the novel loses some of its potential.

What I hadn't expected about The Mad Women's Ball was for it to feel quite so fairy tale-like. That is the only real descriptor I can attach to Mas' writing style. From Genevieve's little apartment, which somehow comes across as cozy despite its starkness, to the sunlight dappling in through the asylum windows, everything somehow feels a little unreal, in the fairy tale sense. Fairy tales, in their original form at least, are quite violent, and so are some of the things that occur in The Mad Women's Ball, from the discussion of sexual assault to isolation and self harm. But there is also somehow this softness to much of it that meant I was never really struck by it. Part of this, I think, is due to the idea that, in an unjust and cruel world, women can find sanctuary in insanity. This is something which has been part of Feminist discourse since at least 'The Yellow Wall-Paper', in which arguably the narrator is liberated by utterly disconnecting from her patriarchal reality. The women of the Asylum find a certain comfort behind its walls, despite its deprivations, which the outside world isn't providing them with. I don't think this is wrong, it is in fact very understandable, but, again, I would have wished for Mas to provide a little more nuance to this. The sheen of the fairy tale-like also extends further to the writing, in the sense that Mas is very quick to provide you with explanations of why something is happening. In this sense there is a lot of "telling" which the novel could have done without. By having motivations, feelings, etc. explained so quickly, there is no need for the reader to really connect to the characters and dive into their personalities. However, that fairy tale-like tone does also make the novel a smooth read and it does allow for some very beautiful descriptions. Frank Wynne therefore has also done an excellent job translating.

I give this novel 2.5 stars.

The Mad Women's Ball wasn't really what I was looking for. I had hoped for something that dove a little deeper, that showed a little more nuance. However, the themes Mas addresses are important and the book could be a good starting point for any reader interested in the treatment of mental illness in the past.

URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2024/02/review-mad-womens-ball-by-victoria-mas.html

The Mad Women's Ball shined a light on yet another example of the way that patriarchy has attempted to silence women, in this case via mental commitment at the historical and real Salpêtrière hospital in Paris. While this slice of fictionalized history was very interesting, the book itself had a hard time in capturing and holding my interest.

This is a stark and gorgeous portrait of late 1800's Paris, and in particular of the psychiatric hospital at Salpetriere. Following the threads of two women, one an inmate of the hospital and one a matron, the author weaves a deft tapestry of the realities of being an inconvenient woman in Paris at that time.

This is such a good book about how women were dehumanized in the 1880's. In the asylum, not all the women are sick. Some have been placed there because they are seen as a disturbance to society. They don't fall in line with what society says they should do. Once a year there is a Mad Woman's Ball where society is invited in to witness the women, where the women are made spectacles of. I do wish the characters were fleshed out a bit more. Overall, a great historical fiction read.

A short novel but powerful at the same time.

This book is so quotable and I have told my friends and bookclub to read it.

Thank you for the arc.

I was provided with an Advanced Readers Copy of the English translation of “The Mad Women’s Ball” through Netgalley. I must say the style of the writing held up through the translation. The novel, itself, hit me pretty personally so my current review is not in depth as it normally is as I am still processing the monumental realization of late-nineteenth century mental health care. Once I have access to a keyboard, I’ll be able to adequately express my opinions..

More updates to come.

"The Madwomen's Ball" by Victoria Mas is a gripping historical novel that delves into the harrowing experiences of institutionalized women in 19th century Paris. Set in the Salpetriere Asylum, the story follows Genevieve, a senior nurse, and Eugenie, a young woman locked away in the asylum due to her ability to see spirits. As the Lenten ball, known as the Madwomen's Ball, approaches, Eugenie is determined to escape and seek those who will believe in her, and Genevieve becomes her ally in this quest for freedom.

The book expertly explores the vulnerabilities of women in the late 19th century while highlighting their strengths and commonalities. Mas skillfully portrays the societal norms and expectations that led to the institutionalization of women who were deemed inconvenient or unwanted. Through the characters of Genevieve, Eugenie, and Louise, the novel sheds light on the oppressive treatment of women and the lack of agency they faced in their lives.

Mas's writing is both powerful and sensitive, allowing the reader to delve into the dark and cruel world of the asylum without being overwhelmed. The narrative brings to life the struggles faced by these women, their yearning for freedom, and their resilience in the face of adversity. The book also touches on the complicity of some women in perpetuating the oppression of their fellow females, providing a nuanced exploration of the complexities of power dynamics and societal expectations.

"The Madwomen's Ball" is a highly rewarding reading experience that leaves a lasting impact. It raises important questions about the treatment of women during that era and offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between madness and science. Mas's vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make the story come alive, immersing the reader in a world that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Highly recommended for readers interested in historical fiction that sheds light on marginalized voices and challenges societal norms.

Full Review to post to duffRUNStough on July 24th

I was very excited for this title but I ended up DNF. I loved the idea of the premise but found it ultimately difficult to really get into the book itself. It may simply be that I am not compatible with the style in which French literature is often written in.

Paris, 1885. A young woman is cast off to an insane asylum by her father for telling her grandmother that she can see and hear spirits. Coming from the ranks of the upper echelon and high society how is she expected to survive? She knows she is not insane, but how does she get out of that place? Who will see her? Who will help her? Can she escape?

I tried one other time to get into this book and wasn't able, but I am happy I gave it a second chance. I enjoyed the story very much. There were a lot of pros about this book, but I also had one complaint. This book is a translation from French, so not only people's names, but also locations - streets, buildings, and cities were in French. Since I do not speak French it was a bit confusing to navigate all the unusual names and places I read. I am not fond of an author using a foreign language within his text, and although this French was appropriate, it was still off putting and confusing from time to time.

Victoria Mas’ “The Mad Women’s Ball” is a 2023 “Women’s History Month Reading Suggestion”.

“The Mad Women’s Ball” was named a New York Times best historical novel of the year and adapted as a major film for Amazon Prime.

See link below.

By the time I was halfway through this book, I knew I would be buying it. When my library decided to do it for their book club I was so excited. It's gripping from beginning to end and took me on a journey I would never have expected, but can't be mad about.

Everything about this book said that I will love it. Sadly, that wasn't the case.

I felt that the story was too short and too simple, everything was overly explained and spelled out, and it might be the translation, but I didn't enjoy the writing style all that much. I'm not trying to say that the translation was bad. On the contrary, I've heard it is amazing. What I'm aiming at is the nature of the language of the original and of the translation.

Anyway, I thought I would love it - I didn't.

Interesting account of Salpetieter, an institute for the insane in Paris, France during 1885. We learn about the life inside the institute and 4 different women at the institute. It is a good story albeit difficult to read at times.

Great paced plot with detailed and beautiful prose. I was drawn in by the premise and loved meeting the various characters throughout. I would've loved to have learned a bit more about each of the women, but appreciate this would've ruined the excellently times beats throughout the book!

Glad I finally got around to this because I really enjoyed it! This story has a gothic and almost invidious feel.. Not that its traditionally scary by an means but its terrifying in its casual cruelty towards women in this time. Its a slow and quiet story but also captivating. Loved it!

A quick novel set in France, where, per usual men are intimidated by unique women. The premise was lovely - "man" women who just are different living in an institution that does not quite care for them properly.

Full review to be posted soonish.

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, but I could not get into it. I found it very boring and was not interested or invested in the characters at all. I think some things must have gotten last in translation because it seems that other people really enjoyed this one. I guess it just wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and the writing flowed well. It was a really enjoyable read. If there had been a bit more depth to the characters and their relationships to one another, I think it could’ve been a 5 star read. I did really like the ending.