The Woman They Could Not Silence: The Shocking Story of a Woman Who Dared To Fight Back by Kate Moore
The unputdownable story of The Woman They Could Not Silence reads like a thriller.
Genre/Categories/Setting: Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Biographical, Mental Health, Women’s/Patient’s Rights, Insane Asylum (1860)
Welcome to #ThrowBackThursday where I highlight an older review or post a current review of a back list title. Today, in recognition of Nonfiction November I’m sharing a compelling historical account of The Woman They Could Not Silence.
I’m linking up with Davida @ The Chocolate Lady’s Book Review Blog for #ThrowbackThursday.
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
My Summary:
Narrative nonfiction that reads like a thriller!
In 1860, wives and daughters could be committed to insane asylums by their husbands or fathers without their consent or proper mental health evaluations. Women were property owned by the husband or father. Women could be committed for being too emotional, opinionated, independent, zealous, or intellectual….basically, any woman who can’t be kept “in line.”
When Elizabeth Packard is committed to an insane asylum by her husband, she discovers that she is not the only sane woman there. Because she is labeled “crazy,” no one will listen to her appeals or intervene on her behalf and she has no voice to fight for herself because it makes her appear even crazier. Her friends who may know the truth won’t speak up for fear of the same punishment from their husbands. However, after losing her home and her children, Elizabeth has nothing more to lose and is determined to fight for her life and for the lives of innocent women.
How far we’ve come! What a nightmare scenario for women!
Continue here for my full review of The Woman They Could Not Silence…
(including a list of more narrative nonfiction titles)
QOTD:
Have you read this fascinating story?
What a horrible situation. Sounds like a very inspiring book.
It was a bit stressful to read! But also inspiring to know upon whose shoulders we stand.
I hate to say it Carol, but this was still happening, albeit more covertly, in the 1970s. The ‘old boy’s network’ was alive and well. Excellent review. I’m going to try find a copy of this. ❤📚
Thanks Sandy! It’s taking a long time for women to gain all their rights!
It’s not so much the gaining of our rights Carol, as others respecting those rights.
True! 🙌
It is so scary to think so many women basically lost their lives as their husbands grew tired of them or because they wouldn’t listen to their fathers. I am zipping this up my TBR and listening to it before the end of the year. Great choice for a throwback.
Even for reading novels or voicing an opinion! 😢
That book was soooooo hard to read but so so good
Yes it was intense and tragic!