The Mad Women's Ball

Set in 1885 Paris at the Salpêtrière asylum, this atmospheric novel explores the lives of women deemed mad or hysterical and the social spectacle surrounding the annual Mad Women's Ball. Through the eyes of senior nurse Geneviève and her encounter with Eugénie, a young woman with a secret, the story delves into themes of grief, sisterhood, and societal injustice. Richly written and immersive, the narrative offers a compelling look at the contrast between cruelty and kindness within a transformative historical setting.