The Illness Lesson

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Set in 19th century Massachusetts, this searing novel explores the question of who controls a woman's body and why. In 1871, Samuel Hood, a waning philosopher, sees the arrival of a mysterious flock of red birds as an omen to start a school for young women, aiming to guide their intellectual development alongside his daughter, Caroline. Despite her concerns, Samuel's ambitious vision takes shape. However, the students soon begin to exhibit bizarre symptoms—rashes, fits, headaches, and night wanderings. In desperation, the school seeks help from a sinister physician, based on a real historical treatment, while Caroline experiences her own bodily betrayals. As the girls' conditions deteriorate, long-buried secrets surface, forcing Caroline to confront the male authorities who dismiss the girls' voices as unreliable. To save herself, Caroline may have to challenge everything she has ever known. Written in vivid prose and rich with psychological insight, this powerful narrative delves into the complexities of women's bodies and minds, highlighting the enduring tradition of doubting both.