“WILDTHORN,” by Jane Eagland, Graphia; Reprint edition, Jan. 17, 2012, $8.99 (ages 14 and up)
Throughout history women have been undervalued. But it’s hard to believe that our mothers and grandmothers lived to experience those lack of rights.
“Wildthorn” by Jane Eagland takes readers back to a time when a woman wanting to be a doctor was considered an illness rather than an ambition.
All Louisa Cosgrove has ever wanted is to become a doctor like her father, but society has other plans. A young woman is expected to know all the social graces. Her only dream: to find an eligible man of wealth and social standing.
Louisa’s father supports her desire, but when he dies suddenly, his wishes die with him. After their father’s death, Louisa’s brother sends her to live as a friend’s companion. Louisa doesn’t want to go, but accepts her brother’s reassurances that the move will be for the best.
The trip is long and tedious, and when Louisa arrives, she finds she has been taken advantage of. Instead of becoming a companion, Louisa is locked away in Wildthorn Hall — a madhouse. Louisa’s identity is taken away, and she’s told everything she believes about her life is a lie. She’s not the daughter of a doctor. Her name is Lucy Childs. She has no family.
Louisa is trapped. She has no idea how she ended up at Wildthorn or who sent her there. It will take all her smarts and ingenuity to free herself and put things right, assuming all of Louisa’s memories are real, and not a figment of her imagination.
“Wildthorn” is captivating from the first page. I found myself utterly enthralled with the world Louisa lives in. I felt her joy at learning new things and her disgust at the world of men.
As Louisa is thrust into the world of mental illness, and the treatment of it, I felt as if I were watching a train wreck — unable to look away, but saddened and angered by what was happening before me.
“Wildthorn” is not an easy book to read. Readers will find some parts of it hard to read — both elements concerning mental illness and for some, elements of homosexuality. Though it should be noted that the author treats both of the subjects carefully and does so with good taste.
Overall, “Wildthorn” is a worthwhile read. It challenges social convention and asks readers to take a different look at things.
2 Comments
Wildthorn was definitely an excellent book. I’m glad I read it.
I loved Wildthorn! Mental illnesses and the position of women in the 18th & 19th century is something that’s very interesting, yet very disturbing at the same time. I wouldn’t want to trade with Louisa for the world.