The Illness Lesson
The Illness Lesson by Clare Beams, published by Doubleday in 2020, is a historical fiction novel that delves into the complexities of authority over women’s bodies. Set in 1871, the story unfolds at the farm of Samuel Hood and his daughter, Caroline, where a flock of mysterious red birds signals the beginning of Samuel’s ambitious plan to establish a school for young women. As the narrative progresses, the students begin to exhibit strange symptoms, prompting a descent into a world of medical intervention and societal scrutiny.
Readers will find a haunting exploration of the intersection between women’s health and societal expectations, as Caroline grapples with the male-dominated authorities who dismiss the girls’ experiences. The book presents a vivid portrayal of family life and the challenges faced by women in a historical context, while raising timeless questions about autonomy and belief. With 271 pages of richly crafted prose, The Illness Lesson invites reflection on the enduring struggles surrounding women’s voices and bodies.
Official synopsis Publisher
Sarah Waters meets The Girls in this haunting, wickedly perceptive debut set in an all-girl school and seeking to answer the timeless question- Who has authority over a woman’s body?
“Feels like both a classical ghost story and like a modern (and very timely) scream of female outrage. A masterpiece” ELIZABETH GILBERT
“You want to know how horrifying things happened while decent people looked on and did nothing? Read this novel” MARY BETH KEANE
“Stunningly good . . . Gorgeous and frightening in equal measure. It dazzled me” LENI ZUMAS
It is 1871. At the farm of Samuel Hood and his daughter, Caroline, a mysterious flock of red birds has descended. Samuel, whose fame as a philosopher is waning, takes the birds’ appearance as an omen that the time is ripe for his newest venture. He will start a school for young women, guiding their intellectual development as he has so carefully guided his daughter’s. Despite Caroline’s misgivings, Samuel’s vision – revolutionary, as always; noble, as always; full of holes, as always – takes shape.
It’s not long before the students begin to manifest bizarre symptoms- rashes, seizures, verbal tics, night wanderings. In desperate, the school turns to the ministering of a sinister physician – just as Caroline’s body, too, begins its betrayal. As the girls’ condition worsens, Caroline must confront the all-male, all-knowing authorities of her world, the ones who insist the voices of the sufferers are unreliable.
Written in intensely vivid prose and brimming with insight, The Illness Lesson is a powerful exploration of women’s bodies, women’s minds and the time-honoured tradition of doubting both.
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