Broadmoor Women is a succinctly written collection of short biographies of 7 infamous residents of Broadmoor by Kim Thomas. Due out 30th June 2022 from Pen & Sword, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback format.
This is a very well researched and meticulously annotated history of some of the women who were committed to the institution for the criminally insane in the middle to late Victorian era (1863 - 1896). It was interesting and more engaging to me because the author chose to concentrate on a more detailed history with a narrower focus (7 particular women) rather than a more general and less detail oriented survey of the hospital. The introduction does give a general overview of the classification and treatment of mental health and illness in those days as well as a short history of Broadmoor.
The biographies of the subjects are full of pathos and it's easy to feel compassion for the women who were often desperate and otherwise powerless.
The writing is accessible and flows well. It's academically competent, but not overwrought or intentionally obfuscated. The chapter notes and bibliography are well worth a perusal and will provide many hours of additional reading.
In many places, I found the reading difficult and sad. Nobody who was resident at Broadmoor had an easy time of it, and most of these women lived exceedingly difficult lives full of pain and sorrow. The author does a very good job of showing despite vastly different backgrounds, they all came for a time to the same place (over a 30 year period).
Four stars. Fascinating (if somewhat depressing) history.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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