The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
Meet Author Kate Moore:
"Kate Moore is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Radium Girls, which won the 2017 Goodreads Choice Award for Best History, was voted U.S. librarians’ favourite nonfiction book of 2017, and was named a Notable Nonfiction Book of 2018 by the American Library Association. A British writer based in London, Kate writes across a variety of genres and has had multiple titles on the Sunday Times bestseller list."
From the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Radium Girls comes another dark and dramatic but ultimately uplifting tale of a forgotten woman hero whose inspirational journey sparked lasting change for women's rights and exposed injustices that still resonate today.
"1860: As the clash between the states rolls slowly to a boil, Elizabeth Packard, housewife and mother of six, is facing her own battle. The enemy sits across the table and sleeps in the next room. Her husband of twenty-one years is plotting against her because he feels increasingly threatened―by Elizabeth's intellect, independence, and unwillingness to stifle her own thoughts. So he makes a plan to put his wife back in her place. One summer morning, he has her committed to an insane asylum.
The horrific conditions inside the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, are overseen by Dr. Andrew McFarland, a man who will prove to be even more dangerous to Elizabeth than her traitorous husband. But most disturbing is that Elizabeth is not the only sane woman confined to the institution. There are many rational women on her ward who tell the same story: they've been committed not because they need medical treatment, but to keep them in line―conveniently labeled "crazy" so their voices are ignored.
No one is willing to fight for their freedom and, disenfranchised both by gender and the stigma of their supposed madness, they cannot possibly fight for themselves. But Elizabeth is about to discover that the merit of losing everything is that you then have nothing to lose...
Bestselling author Kate Moore brings her sparkling narrative voice to The Woman They Could Not Silence, an unputdownable story of the forgotten woman who courageously fought for her own freedom―and in so doing freed millions more. Elizabeth's refusal to be silenced and her ceaseless quest for justice not only challenged the medical science of the day, and led to a giant leap forward in human rights, it also showcased the most salutary lesson: sometimes, the greatest heroes we have are those inside ourselves."
Praise for The Woman They Could Not Silence:
"Like Radium Girls, this volume is a page-turner."―Library Journal, STARRED review
"A veritable tour de force about how far women's rights have come and how far we still have to go...Put this book in the hands of every young feminist."―Booklist, STARRED review
"In Moore's expert hands, this beautifully-written tale unspools with drama and power, and puts Elizabeth Packard on the map at the most relevant moment imaginable. You will be riveted―and inspired. Bravo!"―Liza Mundy, New York Times bestselling author of Code Girls
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!
Strength, Persistence, Endurance
It's amazing to read about a woman who personified those adjectives. I'm fascinated by women of history, especially those little talked about in depth. When a colleague suggested I read this book, I was interested but not overly eager. The first few chapters changed my mind.
Written in an informative but conversational manner, you're introduced to the life of Elizabeth Packard. An intelligent woman who loved to learn and wished to converse candidly about topics of the era - politics and religion, Elizabeth's voice was unwelcome in her home. Her husband was the model-type of man who adheres to the "don't speak unless spoken to" and "better seen than heard" notions of the day.
Taking journal excerpts and historical facts to bring them together in a memoir patterned biography, Elizabeth comes alive on the page, and so does her story. A woman whose only crime was to disagree with her husband leads her to a life sentence at the insane asylum in Jacksonville, Illinois. Charged with mental illness and shoved into the ward, Elizabeth finds she isn't the only one who seems to have been placed there by a husband who grew tired of his wife's contrary beliefs, or really, just tired of her.
Beyond the conditions, which weren't great but became worse depending on where you were taken in the building, those who worked there weren't trustworthy. Elizabeth's experiences are shared about her lack of protection, her unjust imprisonment, and the doctors and attendants who abused their privilege while in charge of those who needed the most help. It's shocking and beyond sad to see how many women were locked away simply because their husband wished it to be so. The fact that the evidence of mental illness was based on common and everyday occurrences was horrifying. Reading was considered an offense. Disagreeing with your husband, screaming, throwing a tantrum, having depression or anxiety (often known as female hysteria), lack of morality (or a preceived lack), dementia, epilepsy, ambitious, etc., were all causes for a woman to be placed into an insane asylum.
Once there, the levels of care - or more like cruelty - were given to those who could pay versus those who could not. Abuse was as easily placed on the iternerum as medicine, if there was anything beyond laudanum or morphine or something to dull the wits and voice of the women. It's where they were treated by doctors who were considered brilliant men of their time, like Dr. Andrew McFarland. He was in charge of the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois where Elizabeth had been taken. Elizabeth attempted to work with him over the conditions of her fellow inmates, tried to reason with him, followed his directives, and considered him a friend and protecto; but unfortunately, she was wrong in her trust and regard of the selfish man who betrayed her just as her husband had.
However, despite the indignities and losses, Elizabeth didn't give up. She didn't allow her voice to be silenced and didn't forget the women she was locked up with for years. Upon her own release, she sought counsel and justice. Working hard, she tried to bring anyone and everyone over to her cause and to see the lack of care and concern that emanated from those working in the mental health profession. Creating pamphlets and talking to those who would listen, she shared her struggles and tried to promote an understanding of change.
Seeing Elizabeth's past revealed and her actions highlighted has been an eye-opening and auspicious read. I learned quite a bit about this time period, marriage, mental hospitals, and more during this critical time of history, and I learned from a bright and courageous woman about what it meant to stand up for yourself and others, for justice, and for common decency. It's definitely a book worth reading, and I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about integrity, decency, honesty, and helping others.
Thank you, and as always, Happy Reading!
~Rebecca Reddell, Author
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