Definitely not my favorite Gloria Whelan novel. It was alright, just not as moving or engaging as her other books, many of which are outstanding. I think the description is pretty misleading, too, as there is really no big "mystery" to this story. The ending was fairly ambiguous, as well, so I wonder if there will be a sequel. If so, I will read it because I like closure, not because I'm anxiously anticipating it. I also really wish the author would provide a bibliography. I'm curious about her research. The asylum certainly sounds more progressive than what I had previously understood about mental health treatment so long ago, although I am certainly am no expert by any stretch of the imagination. Verna and her sister Carlie move with their physician father to Michigan in 1900, where he has accepted a post at an insane asylum in the wake of their mother's death. Their stern and demanding Aunt Maude also comes with them, and the girls settle in with the help of Eleanor, a girl recuperating from melancholia. The girls have learned to deal with the absence of their mother, but Maude has not, and feels that the girls like Eleanor more than they like her, so is very mean. The father tries to ameliorate the situation, but is very busy at the hospital, trying to figure out if there are any medicines that can assist in coping with mental illness. Things finally come to a head, and the aunt is sent back to her own home, which means that the young and single Eleanor must leave as well, making the girls sad and plunging Eleanor into a recurrence of her illness, which Vern and Carlie feel they must address.Strengths: This was a pleasant period read, and well researched like all of Whelan's books.Weaknesses: Since the main theme of this is the aunt's desire to be loved and her fear that if the girls love Eleanor they will forget their mother, I don't know how much appeal it will have to younger readers. Historical fiction does much better if there is more action or intrigue in it.
What do You think about The Locked Garden (2009)?
I liked the historical detail and look into early psychiatry but the book seemed to lack substance.
—ivitm
I was going along just fine with this one...and then, what an abrupt, unsatisfying ending!
—T1nt2
Verna's voice is too dull to carry the story. There's no life to this book.
—Gimi
Interesting insight of "emotional abuse" set in 1900's.
—St12
