Nellie Bly was the original Veronica Mars!

I absolutely adored this Edwardian dive into Nellie Bly's personal history! The spunk and fire of her character, her tenacity and courage to defy the social conventions imposed on her by her gender, make her the perfect role model for the modern feminist.

Rodale perfectly captured the uncertainty of Nellie's circumstances and the danger she walked into when she went undercover for her investigation of Blackwell's. The beauty of this story is the way it deftly draws the reader into Nellie's impressions and fears. I was on the edge of my seat because even though I knew she would be released from Blackwell's, her situation seemed more dire and unpredictable by the moment. I watched her confrontation with the nurses with trepidation and awe - I don't know if I would have had the fortitude to fight them like she did.

This was an extremely readable work of biographical fiction. The attention to detail, the way that Nellie's sparkling personality and spunk literally leap off the page, and the knowledgeable treatment of the subject of sanitorium reform in the early 2oth century was a delight to read.

Highly recommended if you enjoy books by Fiona Davis and Kristin Hannah.

2.5 rounded up to 3

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I made it all the way to 60% before realizing that it was not the book that I had been promised. The first 50% of the book is all set-up, with Nellie Bly trying to convince a newspaper editor to take a risk on her, a nobody not even from New York. She eventually convinces someone that she can expose the mistreatment of women at the infamous Blackwell’s Insane Asylum. The thing that frustrated me the most is that when she finally gets sent to the asylum the narrative shifts to a completely different character, a man she beat out for the job who is determined to expose her story before she can. I really tried to keep reading, but there just wasn’t enough in this book that made me want to take the time to finish it.

Other than the fact that this was not the story that I was promised, I also found all of the characters just felt like caricatures, and the setting of a late 1800s New York did not feel authentic. This may have been because the tone of the book was so ebullient despite the themes being about the mistreatment of women, and particularly women with mental health struggles. I had never read from this author before so perhaps this is my fault for not understanding what this book would be like.

Ultimately the writing was serviceable enough but nothing special, and I knew that I wasn’t going to get anything that I wanted out of this book. If you like characters who are pollyannaish and you go into this book knowing that it’s not actually about the story of Blackwell’s and more so about Nellie Bly and her career in a male dominated field you may enjoy this book more than I did, but take what I say with a grain of salt since I didn’t read the last 40%, maybe it’s an amazing book after all.

If you want to hear some more of my thoughts, check out my reading vlog where I read this book and some other eARCS on my YouTube channel Bright and Bookish here: [https://youtu.be/L1nUDs4xT3o](https://youtu.be/L1nUDs4xT3o)

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.*

In this historical fiction, The Mad Girls of New York follows down and out journalist Nellie Bly as she tries to make it in the big city of New York. Nellie recently left Pittsburgh with dreams of becoming more than just a ladies column writer, but once in the city, is met with nothing but rejection. When Nellie develops a plan to do an investigative piece on the Blackwell Island insane asylum, she's given one chance to prove to the World her worth and potential.

Set against the backdrop of the late 1800s Guilded Age, this book was a quick and interesting read. I appreciated Nellie's perseverance and tenacity as she would stop at nothing to discover her dreams. Historically, I loved the attention to detail and accuracy of the time, specifically when it came to women's rights and the horrors of mental health care (or lack thereof) during this time. It shed a light on the reality of these institutions, yet humanized the people behind the scenes.


Perfect for those that enjoy historical fiction! If you're looking for a nonfiction companion to the book, check out The Girl They Could Not Silence.

In The Mad Girls of New York author Maya Rodale tells the story of Nellie Bly's stunt in the infamous Blackwell's asylum, a daring way to cement her reputation as a female journalist in the time where women were almost non existent in that profession. In her time in the asylum she was able to uncovered all the wrong ways that these women were treated and all the injustices perpetrated to them, a woman need not need to be "insane" to be admitted into the asylum but only being "a nuisance" would have landed her in that place.

Nellie Bly was a force to be reckon with, and her time at Blackwell and subsequent articles that she wrote about it is what she's most recognized for, but she was much more than just this stunt. Before becoming Nellie Bly she was Elizabeth Cochrane from outside Pittsburgh, a young woman who wanted to change the world with her writing, her investigations into women factory conditions in Pittsburgh and her six months reporting from Mexico are testament of her desire to report on the injustices of the common people.

She can be considered as a pioneer of female investigative journalism and this book is a great example of one of the most daring stunts performed to get a very sought after story, report and write about it and provoke a social change.

I don't often read books set before the 1900s, but I love biographical fiction. I particularly like biographical fiction featuring women I haven't heard of before. That's the case with Maya Rodale's The Mad Girls of New York.

It's the 1890s and Nellie Bly has come to New York City to get her big break as a female journalist for one of the large newspaper outfits - hopefully, The World. Yet, it is almost unheard of for a newspaper to hire a female reporter - they are too delicate, too emotional. If they employ a female writer, it's for the ladies' pages to cover society weddings and events.

Nellie Bly was a real female reporter in the late 1800s and she let nothing deter her. While working for the Pittsburgh Dispatch she covered the conditions of factory girls and took a reporting trip to Mexico. But what made her famous - and put her on the front page of The World - was a daring stunt. She goes undercover at a notorious insane asylum, a place where women are sent and never heard from again. She does not go in as a nurse or any other type of employee. Instead, she becomes "inconvenient" and gets herself committed.

Blackwell's Island is also a real place. It is now called Roosevelt Island in honor of President Franklin Roosevelt. It had a prison, workhouses, a hospital for "incurables" (usually people with severe mental or physical disabilities), and an insane asylum. You can read more about the history of the island on the National Park Service's website. Nellie Bly and her exposé Ten Days in a Madhouse are mentioned in the entry.

Many of the other characters in Maya Rodale's book are based on real-life people. Rodale does admit to taking some liberties and I appreciate her pointing out which characters were stand-ins, who were themselves but possibly not at the correct point in time, etc. I loved all the characters. They are all fascinating and Rodale really brought them to life. Nellie Bly is a terrific character and there seems to be quite a bit about her life left to be told. I'm happy to see that The Mad Girls of New York is listed as book 1 in the Nellie Bly series. I'm looking forward to seeing more of all the characters.

A year or so ago I watched Good Girls Revolt which was based on women working at Newsweek in the 1960s. Seven decades after Bly, women still were writing for the ladies' pages or as researchers. Going back to Bly's time and it is really shocking to realize how little had changed for women.

If you are looking for a strong, independent woman who was well ahead of her time, then you need to discover Nellie Bly and this book is an entertaining way to introduce yourself to her.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Friday, April 29 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/04/the-mad-girls-of-new-york-by-maya.html

Thank you so much to @berkleypub + @netgalley for my copy of this fast paced, intriguing historical fiction!

Inspired by the real events of investigative reporter Nelly Bly, this fictional story explores Nelly’s ambition to break into the world of journalism, the glamorous and often corrupt Gilded Age of NYC, the power differential amongst classes and genders at the turn of the century and the gross misunderstandings of mental illness. Nelly goes undercover for 10 days at the notorious Blackwell Island where she experiences first hand the horrors women who are deemed “crazy” or “insane” are subjected to under the ruse of receiving care. The deplorable conditions test her emotions and her wit and the women she encounter encourage her to advocate for better physical + mental care for all.

Despite the heavy topics in the book, it was an easy and quick read. There’s an air of levity and hope as Nelly challenges the status quo, works towards her goals, and befriends strong women. I was fascinated by the social issues discussed and the historical significance. Nelly was a courageous + plucky character and it was easy to charmed by her.

If you’re a historical fiction fan- defintely check this one out!

Normally I am a strictly romance reader, but every now and then a book speaks to me even when there is a guarantee that no sexy times will occur anywhere within it. Also, Maya Rodale is an amazing writer, so that helped convince me. I love when history and fiction intertwine, probably why historical romance has long been my favorite genre, so when I saw that this book is about a real historical woman who went to great lengths to achieve her dreams...well, I was hooked. Obviously there is some creative license taken, but overall it stuck as close to reality as possible. If you like strong women, mysteries and crime drama, then take this as a sign to hop on the Nellie Bly train. It's going places.

It's 1887 in New York City. Women journalists are few, and the ones who get jobs rarely write things that would be considered groundbreaking. Nellie Bly wrote hard-hitting news stories in her hometown, but she knows she needs to make it big in New York to create a real name for herself. However, her gender closes more doors than it opens, and she is swiftly running out of money. Determined not to go home defeated, she follows the advice of other lady journalists and comes up with a grand scheme. There is nothing more thrilling than going undercover, but few are able to do it successfully. Nellie Bly will not only do it successfully, but she'll tackle one of the greatest mysteries to hit the area in recent years - the forgotten women of Blackwell's Island Insane Asylum. Posing as a crazy person is...well...a bit crazy, but Nellie is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Only she may have underestimated her ability to be convincing, and once she's locked up, she must rely on her employer to get her out.

Nellie was a feisty go-getter who had no qualms going toe-to-toe with the misogyny found in every corner of the newsrooms. I appreciated her gumption, and meeting the other women who were trying to make it was so inspiring. There were other undercover women, women of color who had their own challenges to face, and older women who had somehow beat the odds but still could only go so far. She saw the struggles and was determined to not let them stop her. Once she made it into the asylum, things got especially interesting. I was worried this book would get very gruesome, as I know that asylums during that time used extremely inhumane methods of "treatment" for those institutionalized. Most of the time the women didn't need to be there, as was brought up often in this book. As someone who has a psychology degree and takes an avid interest in history, I can tell you that this book was spot on...and if you are shocked by what you read, I encourage you to do some digging on your own. It's shocking, horrifying and fascinating to see the conditions of asylums and the nature of the patients' ailments.

There is a hint of a love interest throughout the book, with a fellow male journalist who butts heads with her. I spy an enemies to lovers trope in the future...perhaps.

Read if you like: Gilded Age historical fiction.
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Nellie comes to New York to try to find a job as a reporter in the big apple. This is unsuccessful as no one is willing to hire a female reporter, so Nellie proposes a plan to get put in an institution for women to show the horrible conditions of the place.
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Nellie was a really fun character and I loved how she was willing to go above and beyond to chase her dreams. Was interesting to read about the conditions of the institutions for women and how women's health was not taken seriously.
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CW: sexism, misogyny, institutionalization, women not being taken seriously in health care.

I really enjoyed this story. Rodale did an excellent job of fictionalizing the life of Nellie Bly. I am very interested in seeing where Rodale takes this series and learning more about Nellie's accomplishments.

“And the thing was, Nellie was hungry for more than just food. She and all these mad girls of Blackwell’s were. They wanted freedom. They wanted to be seen and loved, cherished even. If not that, then understood and kept in care and comfort. Help getting well would be nice. Some nourishment for the brain and body and soul would go so far toward making them whole again. What Nellie was beginning to understand was that women arrived here with chips and cracks and little fixable injuries, but it was the asylum that broke them and made them utterly unsuitable for the outside world. So here they stayed, starving and out of sight and waiting. For what? Nellie, maybe. She was ambitious and arrogant enough to think so, even though the popular consensus was that ambition was an ugly color on a woman. But it didn’t seem like anyone else was going to do anything about it.”

Nellie Bly packs up and moves to New York to make it big as a reporter, but she struggles to even get in the door. She is persistent, motivated, and willing to do anything to get a story. Including getting herself committed to Blackwell’s Insane Asylum to expose the living conditions of the women residing there. At first, Nellie wants to get the story so that she can get kickstart her career, but the more time she spends at Blackwell’s, she knows she needs to tell the stories of these women not for herself but for them. If she can get the story out there then maybe just maybe the living conditions can be improved for the women she comes to care about during her time at the asylum.

I struggled at the beginning of this one, but the more I read the more engrossed I became with Nellie and her fearless courage to go undercover to get the story of the century. Yes, this story is fictional in parts where Maya Rodale took some creative liberties, but the fact that Nellie was a real-life woman who did this is absolutely incredible. She transformed the life of so many people, and was instrumental in making changes for some of the most vulnerable women in the 1800’s.

She led a fascinating life and watching her come to life in the pages of a book was remarkable. I felt pride in what Nellie was doing, and the things she was trying to accomplish for the friends she made in the asylum. I also felt for the women experiencing that horrific treatment just for being too outspoken and difficult for the people in their life. I mourned these women and what they had to go through. So, if you are looking for a light-hearted read then this isn’t for you. If you want to read about a story about a rebellious woman who makes the world a better place then pick this up!

If you are a fan of new historical fiction stories coming out like those of Kelly Bowen and Lorraine Heath then give this one a shot. It might be right up your alley.

~ Michelle

The Mad Girls of New York is based on the real story of American Journalist, Nellie Bly. Nellie Bly is one of the most notable journalists from the 19th century, but unfortunately I did not know anything about her before reading The Mad Girls of New York. This is exactly why I am so glad that I got the chance to review such a phenomenal novel! Knowing about Nellie's outstanding works in the field of journalism, and how she opened up the doors for many women like her was in one word, truly amazing.

Nellie Bly's passion for journalism was truly commendable. She got herself admitted to a mental institution just for a story -  I mean - wow! Nellie got the chance of a lifetime to write about the Blackwell's asylum, and discovered the miserable state the women were subjected to there. My heart broke for them, especially knowing that the book was inspired by a true story. Even after seeing the condition of the women, Nellie had the strength to stay there for 10 days, in order to find more stories to shed light on and expose the asylum to the world.

I loved the layout of the novel so much! I really appreciated how the author included real quotes from Nellie Bly herself. The feminist themes were so perfectly expressed throughout the book. I enjoyed reading about the supporting characters quite a lot, too. This book is so clever - the plot holds your attention from the very first chapter and doesn't let go until you've reached the very last page. I devoured The Mad Girls of New York in a day, and I cannot recommend it enough!

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Mad Girls of New York is a historical fiction novel based on real events. It is also the first book in Maya Rodale’s Nellie Bly series. And I’m excited that I’ll get to learn more about Nellie in her next book.

Nellie moves to New York City to become a reporter after starting out in Philidelphia, writing for the ladies' pages in the Philly paper. But, now in New York, she wants to write “real news” and not just recipes and society news. She goes from newspaper to newspaper and all she gets are rejections. When she meets up with a couple of other journalists, she decides she has to do something drastic to get a big story so a newspaper will hire her.

When Nellie hears the rumors about the horrible conditions at Blackwell's Island Insane Asylum for Women, she realizes this may be her chance for an important story. But, the only way in is to have herself committed, and then withstand the deplorable conditions for a week. It’s only a week, how hard can it be?

I loved Nellie Bly. She’s tough, fearless, and not afraid to stick up for herself. The book focused on the horrific conditions at Blackwell’s and sometimes it was difficult to read because it’s just so sad. But, it’s also so inspirational. Nellie made some very interesting friendships inside the asylum and I just loved how these women banded together and helped each other out as best they could.

I’m really looking forward to the next installment of this series. I can’t wait to see what kind of story Nellie finds next. Make sure you read the author’s notes at the end too!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Nellie Bly wants nothing more than to be a journalist. So she moves to New York to follow her dreams. One catch, it's 1887 and finding a job, as a woman, is hard. She decides to do something drastic and offers to go undercover to an insane asylum for women. This asylum is known for its rumors of how bad the place is. Nellie is determined to get her story. This book is based on true events.

This book isn't my typical read. I don't really enjoy historical fiction, but I decided to give it a go! A girl going undercover in an insane asylum? Heck ya. That is what drew me into the book.

I thought the book was well written. It follows a few POVs, Nellie's being the main one. I thought she was a great character. Not many people would be willing to fake insanity. I think we need more people like her. She was so willing to stand up for herself and for others.

I really enjoyed the parts in the asylum...but they made me so sad. Back then women were forced to go to asylums for some of the dumbest reasons. I'm pretty sure if I lived back then I would be one of those girls. It is amazing how poorly women were treated back then.

This is the story of Nellie Bly, a woman I have long found fascinating. In 1887, she moved to New York to pursue a career in journalism. But the all male editorial teams of the newspapers all turned her away. Just as she was considering whether she'd need to return to Pittsburgh in shame, she got the opportunity to write for a newspaper. But to do so, she had to go undercover in an asylum.

The writing was quite well done and engrossing. The chapter titles are engaging, and I appreciated the quotes from archival materials by Nellie Bly. All the the characters felt nuanced. I was surprised but pleased to see that the point of view changed, so that not only Nellie, but also other journalists' perspectives were included.

I learned a great deal about both the era and specifically about Nellie Bly. The book explores so many themes that still feel relevant, including sexism, the care and treatment of those with mental illnesses, and the purpose of journalism. I highlighted so many amazing quotes throughout. Even knowing the history, I felt suspense while reading.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

This book was fascinating. Nellie Bly was fearless and ambitious which is rare for a woman in 1887. She doesn’t want to only work for the ladies page at the newspaper. She wants to sink her teeth into something more.
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She accepts a challenge to go undercover at Blackwell’s Insane Island Asylum for Women. It is a truly horrifying place and the world needs to know…if she can get out before others scoop her story.
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What is truly fascinating to me is this was an actually place and Nelly was an actual person. I found myself researching Nelly (her pen name) simultaneously while reading this story! I love when a book expands my knowledge and this one truly did!
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Thank you @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads @berkleypub for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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This book comes out today!
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I had no idea I would love this book as much as I did. The Mad Girls of New York is a fictionalized book of journalist Nellie Bly who bravely got herself admitted to an insane asylum (undercover) for ten days to report on the conditions, abuse and incorrect diagnoses at the asylum.

I was intrigued from beginning to end.

What did I read? How can a place like Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum for Women even exist? I cannot believe that Nellie decides to a career for herself as a reporter by going into a place that is known for the horrors within the walls. I was amazed at Nellie’s strength, her strong will, and her belief in doing what was right for the patients of the asylum. The things she saw, the people she met, and the treatment she endured brought out her strength to do what she had to just to start her career in New York.



As I read the Author’s Note, I was amazed at how much truth was in the story. The asylum existed and what happen there is true. Nellie is a real person who did go into the asylum to get her story. Nellie came out of the asylum and decided that she had to do something to change the way the patients were treated. There is so much history and fact in this fiction book, Maya Rodale did so much research just to get the facts correct and share the truth.



There is a subplot woven with the book, the story of Jay Wallace and Louisa Newbold’s marriage. I enjoyed this part of the story but was interested to see how it would be woven into the story. As it all came together, I loved it even more. I never saw it coming and enjoyed the surprise of the twist.



The Mad Girls of New York is a unique historical story. I enjoyed it from the first page until the very last. The strong female characters were refreshing and real. The portrayal of the men were true to the time. The storyline was interesting and refreshingly different than other historical fiction books I have read.

Nellie Bly had worked as a reporter for a few years already, in Pittsburgh, but she eventually moved to New York City with hopes to work for one of the bigger papers. But just getting through the doors to get an interview proves hard for a woman, because women weren’t considered good choices for reporter jobs.

She’s been in the city for four months, and she’s struggling to pay her rent. She is also very aware that women who are considered “inconvenient” often end up in insane asylums, with no way to prove their sanity. So she needs to land on her feet, soon.

Which is how she comes up with the crazy plan – to act crazy. To see how easy it is to get herself locked up, and to report on the actual conditions and practices inside the asylum, which does not open its doors to reporters. Specifically, she aims to get inside the asylum on Blackwell’s Island, which is rumored to be the most inhumane. She does this “stunt” with the cooperation of the deputy editor of the New York World, who promises to get her out in a week or so.

She does get in, and is there for about 10 days. She meets other women, and of course, most are not really crazy at all – some are heartbroken and/or depressed, sick and in need of medical care their families couldn’t provide, foreign and unable to understand English, or maybe just poor (and therefore a nuisance).

The conditions are deplorable, and they are given no reasons to hope for more. They have to sit on hard benches all day and not talk or move. Nelly reasons that some of them may become insane while there, because they are given no mental or physical stimulation. It’s also freezing cold (she is there in October), and they don’t get enough to eat.

The title – “The Mad Girls of New York” – refers to the women of the asylum. But the story also follows some of Nellie’s acquaintances in the city, as well as her time before and after this assignment. Women trying to support themselves financially, and not just depending on a man to take care of them. And these girls could also be considered “mad” for their time (the 1880’s).

This whole scenario is based on actual events, which Bly wrote her own book about at the time (“Ten Days in a Mad-House“). The author used info from that book, but also based characters on other people and stories from that era.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, I’d definitely recommend this one. Even though we know Nellie will get out eventually, the stakes still seem high for her comrades in the asylum. And there’s one more fun twist after she gets out, too.

Maya Rodale's The Mad Girl of New York is the first installment in the authors Nellie Bly series. This story is based on Nellie Bly aka Elizabeth Jane Cochran's Ten Days in a Mad-House. Nellie was a reporter for the Pittsburgh Dispatch in 1887 before leaving for NYC and challenging the New York World to hire her to do an undercover story about Blackwell Asylum where women enter, but never leave. Her two part story kicked off her career that would eventually see her travel the world in 72 days, in emulation of Jules Verne's fictional character Phileas Fogg.

The book was based on articles written while Bly was on an undercover assignment for the New York World, feigning insanity at a women's boarding house, so as to be involuntarily committed to an insane asylum. After burning her bridges leaving Pittsburgh, Nellie finds herself broke, homeless, and without a job. Until she follows a woman leaving The World offices and discovers a group of women reporters including Harriet, Dorothy and Marian who tell her about a way to get her noticed.

“Women have to look out for each other because no one else will. Remember that.”

You really have to understand how horrible the Gilded Age was for women. This was a time in America where women reporters were seen as not being as accurate as men. Women are way too emotional, or fundamentally unequipped for the rigors of the job. Women didn't need the money, or newspapers already had women working for them, and didn't need anyone else. For some papers, they already women covering womens issues, or being copy editors, and didn't need another woman when they had plenty of men.

The so called mad girls and women who were sent to places like Blackwell was because a majority of them were poor, or their rich husbands dumped them for a younger version. The treatment these women, including Nellie experiences, is vivid and realistic. There are key secondary characters like Sam Colton, and Marian Blake. Sam tries to steal Nellie's story, while Marian tries to expose the corruption of the Hugh Gran administration and his friends. Even though this book is fictional, I think it does a pretty good job getting to the bottom of the Gilded Age and how asylum's were a breeding ground for bad things to happen to good people.

The Mad Girls of New York opens in 1887. Nellie Bly is in her early 20s but already has six years of experience in journalism, both in her hometown of Pittsburg and in Mexico. But she’s been in New York City for a few months, and despite her credentials and her daily efforts to get a job, no newspaper is willing to take a chance on her. She can’t even get an interview, let alone a job. Finally, Nellie convinces the head of the New York World that they need a stunt reporter, and she’s just the woman for the job. She pitches the idea of getting herself committed to a notorious insane asylum for women so she can expose the truth of what goes on behind its walls. Thus begins her gruesome ten days in a dreary asylum where the conditions and treatment are far worse than Nellie could have imagined.

Inspired by Nellie Bly’s real-life journalism and books, The Mad Girls of New York shines a light on an important historical figure and the work she did to help others. She advocated for women’s rights and healthcare reform, and this novel is both inspiring and a joy to read.


In the first 25% of The Mad Girls of New York, we get a taste of just how hard it was for a woman to get a job in journalism in the 1880s. In spite of her experience, skill, and tenacity, Nellie Bly spends her first few months in New York getting doors closed in her face (or not opened at all). The thought then was that women couldn’t report on serious topics; the first chapter offers many of their misconceptions: Women are too sensitive and emotional. Women of good breeding don’t work in journalism. Women can’t gain access to the crime scenes or other locations where news is happening. And if they do hire women, they can only employ one token woman, and she can only report on ladies’ topics. Truly, I was frustrated on Nellie’s behalf.

But Nellie is persistent and quick-witted. Early on, she steals another man’s interview, and honestly, she shouldn’t feel bad about it. He easily can (and does) get a job elsewhere within 24 hours, whereas this is her first chance in the months since she arrived in the city. But his presence during her bold pitch may come back to bite her.

Before Nellie connives to get herself committed to Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum for Women, she makes some positive connections with a handful of other women journalists. One of them – Marian – will prove important to a subplot later in the books. Moreover, it’s wonderful to see women supporting each other, especially in a time when so few of them could get the jobs they seek.

Finally, Nellie goes through a day-long charade to get herself into the local insane asylum. Though she acts rather unconventionally in her efforts – and they do, indeed, pay off – she later realizes just how easy it is for sane women to end up there, too. Consider Tillie, a woman who has a real physical illness, and instead ends up at Blackwell’s. Consider the woman who grieved too much after her husband died, or an immigrant from Germany whose only transgression is that doesn’t yet speak English.

Be forewarned: The chapters set in Blackwell’s will certainly make you angry and horrified. The conditions are horrendous, from the threadbare clothing the women wear to the rancid food they’re given to the lack of heating in the building. The treatment is even worse: Women are forced to bathe in freezing, dirty water one after the other, with no change of water between patients. They’re forced to sit on painfully hard benches in a room for 12 hours in complete silence and stillness. They’re hit, locked in straight-jackets, or even nearly drowned for the slightest misbehavior. Some patients are bullied by the nurses. The doctors don’t pay any attention to the patients, taking everything they say or do as signs of insanity. In short, it looks like neglect at best and life-endangering torture at worst.

Many of the women there are completely sound of mind, just like Nellie. They may be ill, grieving, or simply “inconvenient,” but they’re not insane. They shouldn’t be in Blackwell’s at all. And even the women who do suffer from mental ailments and need treatment aren’t getting any such care in this horrific place. None of the patients are treated with kindness or dignity. The treatment alone is enough to make anyone lose their minds or worsen any symptoms they may already have.

Though Nellie goes into Blackwell’s optimistic about how she’ll fare, she quickly learns just how harmful this place is, and she’s desperate to get out. Moreover, she’s desperate to help these women so they, too, can be freed, or at least be treated with actual care. But with each passing day, Nellie is less sure that she’ll be able to get out, let alone reveal the atrocities to all of New York.

Between her chapters, we also get chapters that follow two other characters: Nellie’s journalist rival Sam and another woman journalist named Marian. Both of them are working on their own stories (which I won’t discuss due to spoilers) which will eventually come full circle with the greater narrative of the novel.

The Mad Girls of New York is a feminist tale about ambition and women’s career advancement, but also about improving the lives of those who have been rendered powerless. Nellie Bly aims to help women, those who are sick, those who are insane, people who are poor or immigrants or otherwise not accepted for who they are. It’s a tough read at times, but also an inspiring one.

The Mad Girls of New York is an eye-opening yet ultimately empowering novel about lifting up those without power. It exposes maltreatment and some difficult themes, but it also shows how one person can change so much and help so many. I look forward to reading future books in Maya Rodale’s Nellie Bly series.

This novel has also reawakened my curiosity about Nellie Bly and stunt girl reporters more generally. I plan to read her books, starting with Ten Days in a Mad-House, as well as books about women journalists of the time.