Unfortunately, Pink’s life changes dramatically when her father dies. Her dream of a career in law lies in tatters, her mother’s second marriage is a disaster but all these experiences will shape her character and her future. It’s clear from the beginning she’s a determined and intelligent young lady, not intent on being outdone by her brothers in any way, and with her sights firmly set on a better life in which she need not be dependent on a man. So I loved the book it made me sad but it also gave me hope in that people like Nellie are still around today and are as caring as she was, please read the book it really is worth it. She learned that not all women in this place were mentally ill but were imprisoned there because their husbands or male relatives wanted to be rid of them or they had broken some restrictions of society. Women who were sane on entering were in danger of lapsing into insanity due to their hopeless future. Those who suffered from a mental illness were misdiagnosed and/or offered no helpful treatment. Nellie made friends with two women who were sane like herself but watched in horror as their psychological and physical conditions deteriorated. She was assigned to a sympathetic doctor who felt his treatment benefited her. Nellie tried to interfere with some of the beatings and other torture methods employed by the 'caretakers,' and for speaking out, was savagely punished. Nellie feared that the newspaper would forget to release her, and the grim conditions she experienced were driving her mad. Vivid and written with compassion, Treger illumines Bly’s risky reporting that led to radical reform." - Toronto Star Nellie Bly - what a girl! In this compelling tribute to a fearless young reporter of Victorian New York, Treger brings to vivid life the way one woman's broken past gives her the strength to expose the many horrors faced by others left to rot in an asylum. Both a pioneering writer and early icon of sexual equality, Nellie's true-life story is compassionately told in this remarkable read' - Essie Fox

About the book: “Based on a true story, a spellbinding historical novel about the world's first female investigative journalist, Nellie Bly.” A compelling portrait of 19th-century journalist Nellie Bly … Recommended for fans of feminist historical fiction." - Shelf Awareness

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Will Nellie be able to retain all of the information she learns as she talks to these mistreated women, or will she just become another statistic? Will Nellie ever be able to get out of the asylum though? Will she be able to write her story and bring about changes about how vulnerable people are treated? How will she be affected and will she ever be the same again? Vivid and written with compassion, Treger illumines Bly's risky reporting that led to radical reform * TORONTO STAR *

The perfect example of the power of an individual to question, and change, the status quo." -- Christian Science Monitor Often as an author, I only occasionally get to meet the public who buy and read my books. The Oxford Literary Festival was a special opportunity for me and certainly one of the highlights of my career – it was an honour I will never forget. Nellie shivered and gritted her teeth. She was going to sleep with madwomen, eat with them, be considered one of them. Anything could happen, anything at all."I loved the whole atmosphere of the Oxford Literary Festival. From breakfast, alongside some of the attendees, who were talking books with each other a mile a minute, to the public event at The Sheldonian where everyone was lively and engaged – I felt I had arrived in a kind of literary heaven. What an absolutely stunning read this was and many congratulations to Louisa Treger for writing such a wonderful historical novel with such compassion and feeling .

Indeed, the story is very modern in several senses - Nellie Bly sets out with hopes of righting wrongs and exposing abuse, but a century of institutional scandals will warn the early 21st century reader that little is likely to be done. We should not be too judgemental of our Victoria forbears, perhaps. Madwoman . . . weaves a fascinating true story of the world's first female investigative journalist, Nellie Bly . . . This story of a pioneer woman is superbly and engrossingly presented.”— Mystery & Suspense Magazine The Oxford Literary Festival has in my mind become the leading literary festival of the year. The organisation, the roster of speakers, the ambience and the sheer quality of it all is superb. May it now go from strength to strength each year stretching its ambition more and more. I believe it will.

Reviews

Bob Mortimer wins 2023 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction with The Satsuma Complex In 1887, young Nellie Bly sets out for New York and a career in journalism, determined to make her way as a serious reporter, whatever that may take. In 1887 young Nellie Bly sets out for life anew to make a name for herself by becoming a journalist, determined to leave her old life behind and create a future she can be proud of and New York is where it will happen. No matter at what cost.