Blue Asylum by Kathy Hepinstall
Release Date: April 12, 2012
Amid the mayhem of the Civil War, Virginia plantation wife Iris Dunleavy is put on trial and convicted of madness. It is the only reasonable explanation the court can see for her willful behavior, so she is sent away to Sanibel Asylum to be restored to a good, compliant woman. Iris knows, though, that her husband is the true criminal; she is no lunatic, only guilty of disagreeing with him on notions of justice, cruelty, and property.
On this remote Florida island, cut off by swamps and seas and military blockades, Iris meets a wonderful collection of residents–some seemingly sane, some wrongly convinced they are crazy, some charmingly odd, some dangerously unstable. Which of these is Ambrose Weller, the war-haunted Confederate soldier whose memories terrorize him into wild fits that can only be calmed by the color blue, but whose gentleness and dark eyes beckon to Iris.
The institution calls itself modern, but Iris is skeptical of its methods, particularly the dreaded “water treatment.” She must escape, but she has found new hope and love with Ambrose. Can she take him with her? If they make it out, will the war have left anything for them to make a life from, back home? Blue Asylum is a vibrant, beautifully-imagined, absorbing story of the lines we all cross between sanity and madness. It is also the tale of a spirited woman, a wounded soldier, their impossible love, and the undeniable call of freedom.
I actually bought this book shortly after it was released in April 2012. This book has so many things that appeal to me with the Civil War era setting and the treatment of women and those with mental health issues. The reviews do seem to be a bit mixed on this one but it looks to be worth a try.
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Wow, I am not a fan of historical fiction and where this woman ends up because she is innocent. How horrible. It kinda made me mad just reading the synopsis about where "she is sent away to Sanibel Asylum to be restored to a good, compliant woman" wtf?
Anyway, here's to womens lib lol
It is horrible how both mental illness and women were treated. It didn't take more than the husband's claim for a wife to be committed. I think that Iris isn't going down too easily in this story.
I always wonder why in historical fiction they seem to have the woman's head missing! It's the same in my Tudor novels…no heads! Mind you with Henry VIII that's no surprise!
lol, I don't get the no head thing either. It always makes me laugh.
There do seem to be a lot of headless women on these book covers!
I've never heard of this one! Hope it's a good read. 🙂
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thanks, Lauren!
i think this is a little too in the face for me. That period was not pleasant at all when it comes to mental health
It definitely was not a pleasant time in that area. I am curious about how Iris will handle everything though.
Sounds like an interesting read!! Love the cover!
I have my fingers crossed that it will be a good one, Grace!
What fun! I never bought it, but this one really caught my eye when it came out. I was eager for all the same stuff you are. I should check the library. Hope you enjoy it when you get the chance, Carole!
I would be curious about your thoughts on this one, Sophia Rose!
Goodness, that's a very impractical skirt!
I am glad that clothing, treatment of women, and mental health services have all improved since this time period!
This is a new one to me and it sounds like a good read too.
I hope it does turn out to be a good book!
I know I always say meh, but omg you have to read this one!
I do hope to, Blodeuedd!
The cover reminds me of a faded photograph, or maybe one that was left in the sun. I don't usually gravitate towards historical fiction, but I have enjoyed a few! Let me know how this one works out for you.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
I do like to mix up my reads and usually work in several historical fiction books every year. This one sounds rather unique.
I don't think I've ever heard of this one! I love the cover but I think I'll wait to see what you think of it before I add it to my list.
I do love that cover! Hopefully, I can work this one in soonish.
Sounds like it would be an interesting read. I thought it was strange that women in the past were sent to Asylum for doing things that males didn't agree with. I hope you enjoy it, if you decide to read it.
It really was a strange way to deal with women who had actual opinions.
I don't read a lot of historical fiction set during the Civil War. I am usually over in England during that time period. I am not sure why. This does sound good.
I don't think that I have read a lot set during the Civil War either so that is one of the things that really appeals to me about this book.
I don't know that I'd ever read this but I do love the cover!
It is a great cover!
Ooo I love the time period and asylums were crazy, scary places. I want to read it..lol
They really were very scary places. I am glad that I am not the only one this book appeals to, Kimberly!