Madness: race and insanity in a jim crow asylum
As the title suggests, this novel addresses the sordid truth of early treatment of mental health in Black Americans. Antonia Hylton’s remarkably thorough research is evident in the presentation of the history of the Crownsville institution; this includes various relevant laws and statistics concerning Black people and mental health from as early as the 1930s to the present. A simultaneously heartbreaking and moving novel, the author informs readers about Black Americans’ experiences with oppression and discrimination regarding to mental health treatment. It is important to note that the experiences outlined in this novel extend beyond just Maryland or Crownsville - it is just an example of the commonality of the egregious mistreatment of Black people stemming from almost a century ago.
The novel tells the history of the decade long research on one of America’s last segregated asylums: Crownsville Hospital, located in Maryland, USA. Hylton uncovers the truth of the 93 year long persecution of Black people’s bodies and minds in the mental healthcare system. Of course, this mistreatment has not been eradicated, and it must be known where it began and how much progress has been made.
This book easily made it onto the List due to its poignant historical and racial significance. I found this novel to contain and convey a considerable amount of important insights to topics that most people are mostly ignorant about. This ignorance stems from the lack of discussion of these difficult topics, whether to pretend it didn’t happen or to avoid accepting responsibility in any way; the lack of mainstream discussion over decades has curated a population of individuals with no real understanding of this essential piece of the past. Hylton presents the information in a way that is easy to follow while still emphasizing the crucial points. The sequence of events described throughout the book follow the history chronologically while also including other pertinent information to assist in a true understanding of the situation.
Authors’ writing ability and prowess is important to me - I enjoy literature and English in general, and to read a fully rounded novel (in terms of grammar, conciseness, and overall structure/cohesiveness) is always a joy. Hylton delivers on all accounts while also engaging and expanding readers’ comprehension. She manages to weave a history that will keep your attention while artfully educating readers without the sense of repetition or boredom. The ability to do this successfully is, I believe, not a common trait in many authors (especially of this genre of book).
I believe it is a reader’s responsibility to ensure the selection of novels they are reading is vast and diverse. To consume different perspectives and opinions is necessary to continue to develop your mind. To live is to grow and change, to grow and change is to expose yourself to new experiences - the same ideology applies to reading. Try something new, push yourself out of your comfort zone! You’ll never know what you will learn and enjoy until you try it. If you’re looking to learn more about any of the above topics, I think this book is a great place to start.