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For Their Own Good
Bradette Michel’s debut novel reveals the murky, often terrifying world of nineteenth century insane asylums. Inspired by true events, For Their Own Good begins in 1857 when New York physician, Adam Fletcher leaves his familiar existence in the east to take the position of medical doctor at the Illinois State Hospital for the Insane. Almost immediately, Adam realizes his observations do not match Superintendent McFarland’s arrogant descriptions of the institution’s innovative treatment practices.
“Dr. McFarland told us we were the only ones who could cure the unfortunates under our care. Our benevolent kindness would lead them to sanity. At first I believed him, but it was not long before I learned of unspeakable acts committed on those lost souls.”
—For Their Own Good
Adam’s loyalty to Dr. McFarland is tested by the plight of four female patients committed to the asylum as a result their families’ selfish interests. Mrs. Packard, locked up by her pastor husband for her religious beliefs and isolated from her family by Dr. McFarland, implores Adam to get word of her situation to the outside. Mrs. Jenkins, recovering from a breakdown after the death of her husband, seeks Adam’s help to protect Georgia, a child deserted in the asylum and mistreated by the staff. Pearl, a prostitute, begs Adam to bring news of her daughter, who has been abandoned in a local brothel. Adam is most disturbed by the repeated rapes of Angelique, a lesbian. Dr. McFarland condones the assaults as treatment for her sexual inversion.
The heroic actions of Adam and these extraordinary women take place against the backdrop of a society with no room for women who challenge the existing order. For Their Own Good’s characters fight against almost insurmountable odds for the lives they deserve.
“Dr. McFarland told us we were the only ones who could cure the unfortunates under our care. Our benevolent kindness would lead them to sanity. At first I believed him, but it was not long before I learned of unspeakable acts committed on those lost souls.”
—For Their Own Good
Adam’s loyalty to Dr. McFarland is tested by the plight of four female patients committed to the asylum as a result their families’ selfish interests. Mrs. Packard, locked up by her pastor husband for her religious beliefs and isolated from her family by Dr. McFarland, implores Adam to get word of her situation to the outside. Mrs. Jenkins, recovering from a breakdown after the death of her husband, seeks Adam’s help to protect Georgia, a child deserted in the asylum and mistreated by the staff. Pearl, a prostitute, begs Adam to bring news of her daughter, who has been abandoned in a local brothel. Adam is most disturbed by the repeated rapes of Angelique, a lesbian. Dr. McFarland condones the assaults as treatment for her sexual inversion.
The heroic actions of Adam and these extraordinary women take place against the backdrop of a society with no room for women who challenge the existing order. For Their Own Good’s characters fight against almost insurmountable odds for the lives they deserve.
249 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2015
5 people are currently reading
1123 people want to read
About the author
Bradette Michel
7 books26 followersLike most of her characters, Bradette Michel grew up in a small town in the Midwest. She loves to read and write stories about people who overcome forces that try to control them, probably because she has a bit of an authority problem.
Bradette flirted with writing fiction for years, creating a rogue short story now and then while trying to make a living. She didn’t realize it at the time, but as a counselor, teacher, and trainer she was learning a lot about human behavior, which she now connects with her dark imagination to create plots and characters. Oh, yes, her degrees in psychology and human development counseling help too.
Her decision to tell stories unbound by the truth has resulted in the 2015 publication of her debut novel, For Their Own Good, which won second in the Florida Writers Association’s 2013 Royal Palm Literary Awards historical fiction category. Her short story, The Last Ride, was published in FWA’s 2012 Short Story Collection #4—My Wheels. She won second place in FWA’s 2012 Royal Palm Literary Awards novella category for Solitary. A published non-fiction author of Supervising Young Offenders, she has authored several online courses.
Bradette and her husband Mike live in south Florida.
Bradette flirted with writing fiction for years, creating a rogue short story now and then while trying to make a living. She didn’t realize it at the time, but as a counselor, teacher, and trainer she was learning a lot about human behavior, which she now connects with her dark imagination to create plots and characters. Oh, yes, her degrees in psychology and human development counseling help too.
Her decision to tell stories unbound by the truth has resulted in the 2015 publication of her debut novel, For Their Own Good, which won second in the Florida Writers Association’s 2013 Royal Palm Literary Awards historical fiction category. Her short story, The Last Ride, was published in FWA’s 2012 Short Story Collection #4—My Wheels. She won second place in FWA’s 2012 Royal Palm Literary Awards novella category for Solitary. A published non-fiction author of Supervising Young Offenders, she has authored several online courses.
Bradette and her husband Mike live in south Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 16, 2015
I found the first chapter of For Their Own Good very slow reading, however don't let that get you down. Groundwork had to be laid for the following story which made for one of the best books I have read in a long time. This is the story of a doctor going to work in an Insane Asylum in the 1800s and the deplorable conditions that were contained therein. Not all the problems presented in the book were solved in a fairy tale manner, but neither were the conditions of such institutions improved overnight in real life.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history or just a good story.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads and would also like to thank Bradette Michel for replacing the book originally sent to me that was lost in the mail. I would have hated to have missed reading this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history or just a good story.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads and would also like to thank Bradette Michel for replacing the book originally sent to me that was lost in the mail. I would have hated to have missed reading this book.
March 20, 2015
Oh My Goodness !!! I loved this book. You feel like you are right there seeing, hearing all that is going on. The characters are wonderful, the story line great.
I highly recommend this book. I look forward to more books by Bradette Michel in the future .
Really just wonderful book
I highly recommend this book. I look forward to more books by Bradette Michel in the future .
Really just wonderful book
May 31, 2015
In For Their Own Good, Bradette Michel travels back in time for a look at the harsh, cruel, and unjust conditions of 19th century asylum living at the Illinois State Hospital for the Insane headed by Dr. Andrew McFarland. Arising out of the work, is a gripping, suspenseful, and reality-based story difficult to set down. For patients in the institution, life freed from sadistic, tormenting, and inhumane producers, hailed by McFarland as ideal treatments for mental illness, seems to be far from reach. That is until the arrival of Dr. Adam Fletcher, an extraordinary medical professional who undertakes drastic measures to ensure the safety and security of a few select residents.
I have enjoyed Bradette Michel’s brilliant and well-written For Their Own Good. I greatly recommend the book be read in its entirety and assign it the highest rating.
--- Amy L. Benimoff
I have enjoyed Bradette Michel’s brilliant and well-written For Their Own Good. I greatly recommend the book be read in its entirety and assign it the highest rating.
--- Amy L. Benimoff
June 5, 2015
Told through the eyes of a newly arrived doctor, For Their Own Good plunges the reader into the middle of a 19th century insane asylum. The author does an excellent job of creating the dark environment by including details of archaic practices, such as bloodletting, and using just enough 19th century vocabulary to give the story an authentic feel, without slowing down the reader. While I wouldn't suggest this book as a fun, beach read, I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction. I think it would provide a lot of discussion for a book club as well. Bravo to the author.
May 11, 2015
Plot is riveting... a great story with solid characters and intriguing plot. Would love a sequel!
March 26, 2015
There's plenty of evil conducted in the world in the name of goodwill and good intentions, and this is a key emphasis in For Their Own Good, a novel which revolves around 19th century insane asylums. But the power here lies not just in its theme, but in its perspective; which opens with a bang as an asylum worker comes to realize that their intentions are not being served by the institution.
In 1857, who is going to believe that the insane are being abused by the institution designed to help them? Who is going to consider their rights? And who is going to save them?
Four women patients and protagonist Dr. Adam Fletcher are alone in their world, and it's a dangerous, abusive one; so readers need to anticipate a good degree of angst and violence in the process of exploring this underbelly of society.
Embedded in these stories of condoned violence against patients are intriguing social observations of women and their role in society: patterns of the 1800s which are brought to life in vivid, wrenching dialogue and detail.
In the end what is presented isn't your usual one-dimensional portrait of abuse, but a social commentary that use the asylum environment to pinpoint attitudes, beliefs, and rationales behind mental illness treatments and socially acceptable behaviors: a powerful survey that brings physician and patient perspectives to life and leads Adam on a journey into strange worlds.
Gripping and heart-wrenching, For Their Own Good is a pick for any who want both a social and psychological observational piece about asylum life and women's subjugation.
In 1857, who is going to believe that the insane are being abused by the institution designed to help them? Who is going to consider their rights? And who is going to save them?
Four women patients and protagonist Dr. Adam Fletcher are alone in their world, and it's a dangerous, abusive one; so readers need to anticipate a good degree of angst and violence in the process of exploring this underbelly of society.
Embedded in these stories of condoned violence against patients are intriguing social observations of women and their role in society: patterns of the 1800s which are brought to life in vivid, wrenching dialogue and detail.
In the end what is presented isn't your usual one-dimensional portrait of abuse, but a social commentary that use the asylum environment to pinpoint attitudes, beliefs, and rationales behind mental illness treatments and socially acceptable behaviors: a powerful survey that brings physician and patient perspectives to life and leads Adam on a journey into strange worlds.
Gripping and heart-wrenching, For Their Own Good is a pick for any who want both a social and psychological observational piece about asylum life and women's subjugation.
September 10, 2015
I bought this book because I live a stone's throw away from the former Jacksonville Asylum lot and I'm a nerd for all genres of historical writing. I LOVED this book. The first chapter was a bit slow for my taste but it quickly took off once you realized something wasn't quite right with the Matron, Charles, and Dr. McFarland. From this point on is when I read all night until the book was finished. I'd highly recommend this to anyone interested in asylums and historical fiction......although it is quite sad to think all of this could have taken place. A great, quick read!
March 31, 2015
Bradette Michel is off to a great start with her premiere novel, For Their Own Good. The book is loosely based on a time in our history when blacks were still enslaved; and women's rights and the well being of the mentally ill were dismissed for the sake of expediency. Anyone concerned with human rights should find this a compelling read. It is an engaging and fast moving book that gives us a glimpse into a dark period of our history.
April 1, 2015
A gripping story that will enrage and enthrall readers. This page-turner is both steeped in the past and, unfortunately, a reflection of attitudes that persist today. Hopefully the author will provide a sequel. I’d love to read more!
April 1, 2015
Great book-fascinating topic-highly recommend!
March 25, 2015
Spoiler free.
An excellent story that shows the struggles women faced in a time period when they had few if any rights. There are some unlikely hero's and villains. The events that take place keep the pace moving and reader interested. The issues presented are eye opening and infuriating.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in womens rights, LGBT rights, religious freedom and history of treatment/misdiagnosis of mental illness.
Would be a great choice for a book club. There are many ideas and events to discuss and explore.
An excellent story that shows the struggles women faced in a time period when they had few if any rights. There are some unlikely hero's and villains. The events that take place keep the pace moving and reader interested. The issues presented are eye opening and infuriating.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in womens rights, LGBT rights, religious freedom and history of treatment/misdiagnosis of mental illness.
Would be a great choice for a book club. There are many ideas and events to discuss and explore.
July 28, 2015
Goodreads first to read winner signed copy.
If half stars were possible I'd definitely give it 3.5! Actual review to come soon.
If half stars were possible I'd definitely give it 3.5! Actual review to come soon.
August 11, 2020
Not great
The story had a lot of potential but it wasn't eel written. Too many parts dragged on. I found myse!f skipping ahead just to finish the book.
The story had a lot of potential but it wasn't eel written. Too many parts dragged on. I found myse!f skipping ahead just to finish the book.
July 22, 2024
A gripping read I found hard to put down. A sad reminder of the way things were when women were nothing more than a man's property to do with as he wished.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews