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The Process of Fraying
Violet is a pillar of hospitality and compassion within her community. As a farmer’s wife and mother of a large brood, she is resolute, thrifty, and charming. The life that is woven between the land and her family is one of harmony and beauty. When she begins to struggle with depression, her life seems to unravel. At first the change is subtle, but it quickly intensifies as the flicker of a candle flame brings a way to feel again; her beloved creek becomes ominous as it beckons to her. Having no understanding of what is happening within her, Violet turns to both the religious and medical communities for guidance. Both fail her. With her identity stripped away and her family reeling from the aftermath, Violet must determine if she can make peace with the changes within herself before she is consumed by them. The Process of Fraying is a historical family drama that explores the social, religious, and medical stigmas surrounding mental health in the 1940s.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
321 pages, ebook
Published January 5, 2019
5 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Jess Neal Woods
1 book28 followersJess is a debut novelist in historical fiction. A graduate of Indiana University, Jess holds a BS in English Education. She also holds a MA in English from Arizona State University. When she is not reading or writing, she teaches English (literature and composition) courses online to high school students. Jess currently resides in Alabama with her husband, Josh, their three children, and their numerous pets. Though she is a Georgia native, Jess has lived in a multitude of states. Each place gives her writing fresh flare and direction as she is exposed to new people, stories, and experiences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 10, 2019
It took some time to gather my thoughts after finishing The Process of Fraying last night in order to write this review. This is one of the most emotional books I've ever had the privilege to read. Seriously, I couldn't even read the last few pages of the book through all of my tears.
Based on her great-grandmother's life in Tenessee in the 1930s, the author has written a heartrending book that will captivate and enrage you, all at the same time. The "treatment" for depression back then was horrifying and barbaric. There were so many times I wanted to reach through the book and save Violet.
I've suffered from depression for as long as I can remember so this book was super emotional for me and I could easily relate to Violet. The author captured the absolute darkness you feel when you're depressed perfectly and so much so that I got chill bumps while reading. The writing was beautiful. I think the author did a fabulous job of capturing her great-grandmother's life.
I highly recommend The Process of Fraying, especially for those that have depression or knows someone that does. It's an eye-opening look at mental illness and the stigma attached to it. An emotional but engrossing read.
Based on her great-grandmother's life in Tenessee in the 1930s, the author has written a heartrending book that will captivate and enrage you, all at the same time. The "treatment" for depression back then was horrifying and barbaric. There were so many times I wanted to reach through the book and save Violet.
I've suffered from depression for as long as I can remember so this book was super emotional for me and I could easily relate to Violet. The author captured the absolute darkness you feel when you're depressed perfectly and so much so that I got chill bumps while reading. The writing was beautiful. I think the author did a fabulous job of capturing her great-grandmother's life.
I highly recommend The Process of Fraying, especially for those that have depression or knows someone that does. It's an eye-opening look at mental illness and the stigma attached to it. An emotional but engrossing read.
March 18, 2019
Because the book description provides enough insight into Jess Neal Woods’ debut novel, THE PROCESS OF FRAYING, I am not going to speak any further to the story plot. I must acknowledge that I have never addressed the number of FIVE STAR reviews a novel has received in prior reviews I have written, whether indie or traditionally published novels, but I have also never read a self-published debut novel that was written as cleanly as THE PROCESS OF FRAYING was written. To say that I was incredulously awed by the nearly perfect editing alone speaks volumes of Woods’ raw artistic talent. And just as impressive were Woods’ reviews which is why I must address them.
Out of 24 reviews on Amazon, THE PROCESS OF FRAYING amassed 23 FIVE STAR reviews and 1 FOUR STAR review. I have two reasons for including the reviews in my book review. The first is that I have yet to encounter a first-time author with no extensive writing experience that received nearly 100% of FIVE STAR reviews right out of the publishing gate. This alone speaks to the creative writing ability of Jess Neal Woods, an exceptional 20th-century historical fiction author. The other reason is I contacted Jess to ask her if THE PROCESS OF FRAYING could be purchased anywhere else other than Amazon. Aside from the books that Woods sells on her book tour, Amazon is the only place this 5 STAR debut novel can be purchased, and this bothered me, but only because THE PROCESS OF FRAYING is a novel that was written for the New York Times bestseller list.
Woods’ plot was fluid; her characters were fully developed and introduced naturally into the storyline. The only error I noted, and I hesitate to bring it up because it was apparently missed by all other reviewers; however, I would be remiss to myself and Jess by not pointing out that in a large family, the writer must be diligent in keeping track of the children’s birthplace and age, in this case, there are seven. And as a disclaimer, I will admit I am an English major, and when I review a book, I look at all things. For a seasoned author, this would disturb me and the review may fall from a 5 STAR to a 4 STAR review; however, I am not going to take a star away from Woods because had I not kept a flow chart going, I would also very likely missed the mistakes when it came to birthplace and age. Thus my 5 STAR review stands.
THE PROCESS OF FRAYING took me back to a time when I was a child struggling to understand the things I was exposed to and the fear that paralyzed me at times. The mind of a child cannot comprehend the 'process of fraying', literally. My emotions were all over the place as I read Woods' emotionally powerful and poignant story, and while fictitious, could just as well have been non-fiction to those of us who lived a similar life story growing up. When our child’s mind becomes the mind of an adult, it is then when we find ourselves looking into the black abyss that we come to understand that which we had once not understood but lived in fear of.
Woods told a beautiful and heart-wrenching story that dared to speak to that which is better today than it was in the late 1930s through the 1980s, but we are not there yet when it comes to mental health. There is still more work to be done, and we need more acceptance and understanding from all, whether it’s the church, our neighbors, our friends and yes, our families too. Depression, whether it is major depressive disorder or depression on the Bipolar II spectrum is no better or worse than being a diabetic. Both are treatable as long as the patient is compliant.
Add THE PROCESS OF FRAYING to your to-read list. I strongly recommend this book to everyone with a family or starting a family. Some things just are and will remain as is. Well done, Jess!
To read the complete book review and comment, visit https://dbmoone.com/2019/03/18/book-r...
Out of 24 reviews on Amazon, THE PROCESS OF FRAYING amassed 23 FIVE STAR reviews and 1 FOUR STAR review. I have two reasons for including the reviews in my book review. The first is that I have yet to encounter a first-time author with no extensive writing experience that received nearly 100% of FIVE STAR reviews right out of the publishing gate. This alone speaks to the creative writing ability of Jess Neal Woods, an exceptional 20th-century historical fiction author. The other reason is I contacted Jess to ask her if THE PROCESS OF FRAYING could be purchased anywhere else other than Amazon. Aside from the books that Woods sells on her book tour, Amazon is the only place this 5 STAR debut novel can be purchased, and this bothered me, but only because THE PROCESS OF FRAYING is a novel that was written for the New York Times bestseller list.
Woods’ plot was fluid; her characters were fully developed and introduced naturally into the storyline. The only error I noted, and I hesitate to bring it up because it was apparently missed by all other reviewers; however, I would be remiss to myself and Jess by not pointing out that in a large family, the writer must be diligent in keeping track of the children’s birthplace and age, in this case, there are seven. And as a disclaimer, I will admit I am an English major, and when I review a book, I look at all things. For a seasoned author, this would disturb me and the review may fall from a 5 STAR to a 4 STAR review; however, I am not going to take a star away from Woods because had I not kept a flow chart going, I would also very likely missed the mistakes when it came to birthplace and age. Thus my 5 STAR review stands.
THE PROCESS OF FRAYING took me back to a time when I was a child struggling to understand the things I was exposed to and the fear that paralyzed me at times. The mind of a child cannot comprehend the 'process of fraying', literally. My emotions were all over the place as I read Woods' emotionally powerful and poignant story, and while fictitious, could just as well have been non-fiction to those of us who lived a similar life story growing up. When our child’s mind becomes the mind of an adult, it is then when we find ourselves looking into the black abyss that we come to understand that which we had once not understood but lived in fear of.
Woods told a beautiful and heart-wrenching story that dared to speak to that which is better today than it was in the late 1930s through the 1980s, but we are not there yet when it comes to mental health. There is still more work to be done, and we need more acceptance and understanding from all, whether it’s the church, our neighbors, our friends and yes, our families too. Depression, whether it is major depressive disorder or depression on the Bipolar II spectrum is no better or worse than being a diabetic. Both are treatable as long as the patient is compliant.
Add THE PROCESS OF FRAYING to your to-read list. I strongly recommend this book to everyone with a family or starting a family. Some things just are and will remain as is. Well done, Jess!
To read the complete book review and comment, visit https://dbmoone.com/2019/03/18/book-r...
September 10, 2021
Violet and Miles have been married twenty years, have seven children, and have managed a successful farm in Tennessee in the 1920's and 1930's. But something has stopped clicking in Violet's brain. She is becoming forgetful, is easily tired, and increasingly depressed. As Miles tries desperately to get his Violet back, she experiences the trauma of institutionalization, experimental procedures, and feels herself slipping even further away.
This is a haunting, sometimes devastating, story based upon the author's own family. It combines a great love story between Violet and Miles, tenacity on the part of a loving but frustrated spouse, family, the wonders of a new friendship and the betrayal of an old one, and the cruelty and lack of understanding of those with a mental illness. It made me think quite a bit about how far we have come in dealing with mental issues, and I realized that apart from ending some of the cruel practices of the past, communities and families still don't understand the problem. I found it interesting to be reading this during the Simone Biles issues during the Olympics and then also seeing the cruel comments made on social media about tennis players in the US Open. Especially with a pandemic, emotional and depressive issues have come to the forefront for many, and the help isn't always there.
This book will make the reader think and question. I would have given it five stars except for some editing or word choice issues here and there in the book which I believe will turn some readers off before they give it a real chance. It is a book worth reading.
This is a haunting, sometimes devastating, story based upon the author's own family. It combines a great love story between Violet and Miles, tenacity on the part of a loving but frustrated spouse, family, the wonders of a new friendship and the betrayal of an old one, and the cruelty and lack of understanding of those with a mental illness. It made me think quite a bit about how far we have come in dealing with mental issues, and I realized that apart from ending some of the cruel practices of the past, communities and families still don't understand the problem. I found it interesting to be reading this during the Simone Biles issues during the Olympics and then also seeing the cruel comments made on social media about tennis players in the US Open. Especially with a pandemic, emotional and depressive issues have come to the forefront for many, and the help isn't always there.
This book will make the reader think and question. I would have given it five stars except for some editing or word choice issues here and there in the book which I believe will turn some readers off before they give it a real chance. It is a book worth reading.
June 14, 2019
This was a gorgeously written but a difficult book for me to read. The issue of mental health is one that is very important to me because I have struggled with anxiety and depression. Reading about what Violet endured and the history of the treatment of mental health patients in the late 1930s was a punch to the gut. The research in this book is incredible. I realized why there is so much of a stigma surrounding mental health disorders that obviously still exists today. Even though this book was so hard for me to read, I am so glad that I did.
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May was Mental Health Awareness Month. If you are interested in the history of how we got to the place we are as a society regarding mental health issues, you need to read this book. Not only is there medical history here, which was something I was particularly interested to read, it is a story of a Violet’s journey and the affect it had on her family and community.
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Thank you to Amy @hfvbt and the author for my review copy. All opinions are my own.
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May was Mental Health Awareness Month. If you are interested in the history of how we got to the place we are as a society regarding mental health issues, you need to read this book. Not only is there medical history here, which was something I was particularly interested to read, it is a story of a Violet’s journey and the affect it had on her family and community.
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Thank you to Amy @hfvbt and the author for my review copy. All opinions are my own.
February 7, 2019
I read this book a month or so ago but I was waiting until I had my thoughts together to write a review. As someone who struggles with her mental health this book described a lot of the fears I have surrounded around my condition and the reasons why I generally keep it to myself. Though this book does not take place in the 21st century it's descriptions of stigma, especially within the Christian community are relevant today. All of this to say it was realistic and jarring...beautiful and difficult to read.
January 9, 2019
The Process of Fraying is a completely enthralling story crafted in the the most beautiful way possible. It took me on an emotional journey full of tears and smiles. Violet's commitment to family and their struggle with her mental illness is an all-too-real tragedy that many have endured. Set on a farm in Tennessee in the late 1930s, this book offers a point of view I haven't seen before, but I know will touch the hearts of many readers.
If you have been impacted in any way by mental illness, plagued by the judgement of others, or are intrigued by historical medical practices, pick up this book. You will not be disappointed.
If you have been impacted in any way by mental illness, plagued by the judgement of others, or are intrigued by historical medical practices, pick up this book. You will not be disappointed.
January 8, 2019
I just finished reading the dramatic 1930s era novel, The Process of Fraying by Jess Neal Woods.
It's rare to find on today's historic fiction shelf a treatment of mental illness that both enables the protagonist and documents her unraveling. Yet this is just what we get from the capable story-telling of Jess Neal Woods. Titles I recalled as I turned The Process's pages include The Yellow Wallpaper and Wide Sargasso Sea. What I enjoyed about Woods' treatment of her heroine, a farm wife named Violet, is that she demonstrates the hard work of co-managing a farm and the heroic attempt to live with an utterly unknown illness, one she has to hide due to the period's distortionary prejudice against "housewife illnesses". Even in the throws of her worst depressive episodes, Violent never feels sorry for herself and refuses to stop the duties of a farmer. Though semi-invalid for the second half of the novel, Violet takes under her wing an immigrant neighbor and prepares the wedding of her second-oldest daughter.
Where Violet fails is in accessing legitimate treatment. As today, depression had no cure in the 1930s, not with prayer, brisk walks or hospitalization. Miles, Violet's husband, attempts three times to treat his wife via "modern" psychiatric care. I won't ruin the drama by describing what's administered in those facilities but let me say that the best writing of the novel takes place during Violet's incarceration, even though her memory fails her and her senses dull to the point of coma.
Miles is a valiant, compassionate husband, especially compared to Violet's abusive father. Miles also measures well against the small minded town preacher. The church receives its share of excoriation in these pages as do the gossips of the neighborhood, none of whom give five minutes of interest or empathy to their neighbor's struggle.
Having lived with depression, myself, I saw in Woods' chapters many fine descriptions of the isolation and fear we experience at the bottom of that dark abyss. No one can fully comprehend mental illness's paranoia and self-doubt as well as another sufferer, nor the shame when treatments fail and relatives' good intentions fail to produce results. Depression can't be shaken off. It isn't something you diet yourself out of or exercise your way through. It's a lifelong illness that whole families suffer. Psychiatry's unlawful, abusive treatment from the past century needs to have its shameful door flung fully open, as Woods' novel does, explosively.
March 10, 2019
Poignant and heartbreaking, this debut paints a portrait of a wife and mother so thoroughly that I couldn’t read more than a chapter or two at a time for the first half because my emotions were so deeply affected. (If I were the kind of reader who could only do one book at a time, I would’ve pushed through, but I am always reading four or five books at any given time, so it was easier to let Violet’s story sink in and switch to something more escapist.) When I started reading The Process of Fraying, I had just finished Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, and while Woods’ style is different from Hannah’s, this novel would certainly appeal to Kristin Hannah fans.
The story is primarily third person through Violet’s perspective, but there are occasional shifts to other characters’ eyes. Because Violet’s mental illness so deeply affects those around her, this narration choice is perfect for the story. The path of Violet’s journey through her illness and the 1930s “treatments” is deeply painful to read, but it’s a story that must be told so readers can either better understand people in their lives with mental illness or find the affirmation that they are not alone in their own difficulties. Details of the time period are woven deftly into the plot, and though the setting is important for mapping the history of people’s opinions and treatments of mental illness, Violet’s plight is so easy to identify with, so real, that her story could be happening to a woman in any time period.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s beautiful writing. I can’t read books this heavy all the time because I need to be able to fly through lots of YA so I can make recommendations to students, but this novel was definitely worth the time it took me and the tears I cried.
The story is primarily third person through Violet’s perspective, but there are occasional shifts to other characters’ eyes. Because Violet’s mental illness so deeply affects those around her, this narration choice is perfect for the story. The path of Violet’s journey through her illness and the 1930s “treatments” is deeply painful to read, but it’s a story that must be told so readers can either better understand people in their lives with mental illness or find the affirmation that they are not alone in their own difficulties. Details of the time period are woven deftly into the plot, and though the setting is important for mapping the history of people’s opinions and treatments of mental illness, Violet’s plight is so easy to identify with, so real, that her story could be happening to a woman in any time period.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s beautiful writing. I can’t read books this heavy all the time because I need to be able to fly through lots of YA so I can make recommendations to students, but this novel was definitely worth the time it took me and the tears I cried.
January 14, 2019
The Process of Fraying, by Jess Neal Woods, delivers a powerful account of depression and mental illness in the WWII era. Each character is fully developed and evolves within a large family that focuses on Violet's struggle with her illness. Although she is afflicted with the "housewife's illness" of her time, she shows strength and even hides her mental state from those around her out of self preservation. The medical intervention given and community fails her, yet she still pressed on.
If you enjoy historical fiction, or anything that follows the journey of family relationships and medical fiction then you would enjoy this book. In some moments the story will bring you to some heavy, dark moments of our American medical history in the care of the mentally ill by giving such a raw perspective on how people were mistreated and abused within the psychiatric care system. It is also in these moments that hope is restored. Too many suffer in silence for far too long.
I highly recommend this book on your 2019 reading list, in fact make it the next book you read! You will not want to put it down. I woke up 2 hours before my family just to have quiet time to escape from my world and submerge myself in Violet's account.
If you enjoy historical fiction, or anything that follows the journey of family relationships and medical fiction then you would enjoy this book. In some moments the story will bring you to some heavy, dark moments of our American medical history in the care of the mentally ill by giving such a raw perspective on how people were mistreated and abused within the psychiatric care system. It is also in these moments that hope is restored. Too many suffer in silence for far too long.
I highly recommend this book on your 2019 reading list, in fact make it the next book you read! You will not want to put it down. I woke up 2 hours before my family just to have quiet time to escape from my world and submerge myself in Violet's account.
January 16, 2019
The Process of Fraying is an interesting story about a woman struggling with depression during the 1930s. The author sympathetically weaves together Violet’s struggles, the sadness and helpless feelings her husband and children experience, as well as the common misunderstandings about mental health. The most beautiful aspect of this story is the faith Violet and Miles have in God and trusting His will even through the dark times in life, and through their mistakes. Speaking as someone who is pursuing a degree in biblical counseling, I believe this book is a great read for anyone interested in understanding what it is like to struggle with depression or for the family of someone who struggles with depression. However, my caveat in recommending this book is that as someone who has struggled with depression in the past, I would not recommend anyone who is currently dealing with depression to read it because there are parts and aspects of the story that could potentially be triggering. This is a wonderfully well-written story about a very difficult subject matter!
February 8, 2019
Even though this isn't in my normal genre, I greatly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read it again.
The writer has a wonderful flow, and a way of writting that kept me intrigued through out the book. Also, as someone who fights mental illness, I found myself in certain pages. That alone meant everything. Highly, highly recommend.
The writer has a wonderful flow, and a way of writting that kept me intrigued through out the book. Also, as someone who fights mental illness, I found myself in certain pages. That alone meant everything. Highly, highly recommend.
January 5, 2020
Really loved that this book was based on real life, every day people. Jess did a great job illustrating how affected we are, as individuals and families, when the people around us, and especially those we should be able to trust, are unwilling or unable to understand our personal differences and our struggles, whether they are associated with mental illness or not.
January 11, 2019
Gripping, page-turner, at the edge of your seat, an emotional ride is how I would describe this book. The Process of Fraying should be on your 2019 list of books to read, you will not be disappointed. The Author Jess Neal Woods did a wonderful job painting the image(s) with her words. You will experience what mental illness can and do to loved ones, experience sadness, desperation, fear, compassion, happiness and love for the characters. Thank you Jess Neal Woods for sharing Violet's story. I look forward to many more of your books. I could not put down the book; I receive an advanced reading copy and so glad that I did. Go and get your copy and see for yourself what all the hype is about.
July 4, 2019
The Process of Fraying is beautifully written. At times it was a difficult read. It doesn't shy away from painful details about living with depression. Honestly, reading this book has made me feel more empathy for people living with depression.
January 31, 2019
Absolutely, heartbreakingly, beautiful.
January 23, 2019
I read The Process of Fraying over a few days. The main character drew me in and kept calling me back to the book! Historical fiction is not my go-to genre, but I really enjoyed this book because Violet was so relatable and made the story real. I found the Process of Fraying an engaging story that made me both weep and rejoice with Violet and her family. I could relate to some of Violet’s dark moments more than I wanted and the book truly helped me to reflect on and process some of my own feelings and emotions. I recommended this book to several friends who are currently enjoying it as well. I’m eagerly awaiting Woods’ next book!
May 31, 2022
I have never read a fictional book that enters into the mental health struggles of a mother in such an intimate way. I can't really say I enjoyed reading it, per se, but I was heartbroken, moved, and read past my bedtime most evenings. I'm not normally a crier, but I definitely cried at the end. As a mother and someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression at various points in my life, I found myself relating on many levels. Thankfully, both medical professionals and the church have come a long way in how we care for people who struggle in those ways. Violet's story will stay with me for awhile. I will definitely be recommending it to friends.
August 23, 2022
Author here. Yes, I'm writing a review of my own book. After months of space from this project, I re-read it in actual book form. And I thrilled at the imagery; I was immersed in appreciation of nature and in characterization. It gets 4 stars from me. I save my 5 stars for people like Charles Frazier!
June 18, 2019
There are some books that you can sum up in a few words and that's not because there isn't a lot to say about the book. This is one of those books. I have spent days trying to find the words to say how I felt about this book and nothing seemed adequate.
Violet's story left me emotionally gutted. That's really all I can say without going into the story, that I don't want to spoil for you. Suffice to say if you think there is a stigma around mental health issues today, it was much worse in the 1930s when this book is set.
As I read, I recalled conversations with my mother about a friend of hers that went through the electric shock treatment. I remember reading about Rosemary Kennedy and when lobotomy was brought up in the story, I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall.
My heart ached and broke into tiny shards while reading this book. I felt for Violet's family and for her husband, Miles who was trying to do his best.
I grew angry at the way Violet was treated in the institutions, because I've read a lot about mental health and I know that though much has changed it took a long time for it to happen.
I wanted to gather Violet in my arms and remind her that she was loved.
Mostly I wanted to find Margaret and tar and feather that nasty piece of work that called herself a friend.
All I can say is that this book was simply amazing and one that should not be missed though it will take a piece of your heart with you.
Violet's story left me emotionally gutted. That's really all I can say without going into the story, that I don't want to spoil for you. Suffice to say if you think there is a stigma around mental health issues today, it was much worse in the 1930s when this book is set.
As I read, I recalled conversations with my mother about a friend of hers that went through the electric shock treatment. I remember reading about Rosemary Kennedy and when lobotomy was brought up in the story, I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall.
My heart ached and broke into tiny shards while reading this book. I felt for Violet's family and for her husband, Miles who was trying to do his best.
I grew angry at the way Violet was treated in the institutions, because I've read a lot about mental health and I know that though much has changed it took a long time for it to happen.
I wanted to gather Violet in my arms and remind her that she was loved.
Mostly I wanted to find Margaret and tar and feather that nasty piece of work that called herself a friend.
All I can say is that this book was simply amazing and one that should not be missed though it will take a piece of your heart with you.
May 3, 2019
Some books are quick reads, and some allow you time to contemplate certain aspects of yourself and society. This book is the latter. Jess Neal Woods knew her characters so well that she made me feel like I knew them, too. They inspired me to act with care and compassion with those I love most, and those I hardly know. The ways in which we interact with one another have such profound consequences, both good and bad. The unavoidable truth that we have no idea what the next person is going through smacked me square in the face while reading this book.
I often talked about the book with my partner so I could process the emotions that it brought up in me. This is not a book for those looking for a little "light reading". For me, it was a learning experience, and also a beautiful story.
As a lover of storytellers, I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling style of Jess Neal Woods. She brought me deep into the story to such a degree that at times my heart was literally racing.
I recommend reading this book to anyone interested in mental health issues, history regarding such issues, American history in general, family dramas, and any fan of well researched stories.
I often talked about the book with my partner so I could process the emotions that it brought up in me. This is not a book for those looking for a little "light reading". For me, it was a learning experience, and also a beautiful story.
As a lover of storytellers, I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling style of Jess Neal Woods. She brought me deep into the story to such a degree that at times my heart was literally racing.
I recommend reading this book to anyone interested in mental health issues, history regarding such issues, American history in general, family dramas, and any fan of well researched stories.
March 24, 2019
Mental illness often chooses its victims among the most intelligent, sensitive, compassionate, and creative, while abandoning the distraught, desperate loved ones to trust experimental professionals with treatment. Like Flowers for Algernon, Out of My Mind, and The Bell Jar, The Process of Fraying by Jess Neal Woods is a book every human being must read. The author's own great-grandmother is the book's inspiration. From the first page, the reader is compelled to synchronize her own realities with those experienced by the protagonist, fraying along with Violet. You will clench your jaw and tighten your fists at the injustices delivered upon this misunderstood woman in the name of both science and dehumanization. In spite of all the indignities and tortures endured, Woods carefully, truthfully, and tenderly restores Violet's dignity and, moreover, that of the countless victims of mental illness and their families.
June 26, 2019
The Process of Fraying is not just a great read but also an unforgettable experience. Violet’s story is a haunting and important one of love and stigma in mental illness that the author, Jess Neal Woods, told in an effective and elegant way. Jess’ words are truly crafted as a piece of art and have the power to cut to the human heart in a way that I have never experienced in any other novel. Each word is meticulously, purposefully and beautifully placed. I just finished my second time reading this book, and the story seems to have only gotten more powerful. This is a beautifully written novel and an important story that should be experienced and shared with the world. It truly changed my perspective on mental illness and will be a lifetime book that I read again and again. I cannot recommend this book enough!
October 21, 2020
Incredible story! I am so thankful to live in more modern times, where Science has advanced and treatments for mental illness continue to improve as we learn more. Violet is relatable whether you suffer from a mental illness yourself or not. Although the medical treatments she endured are quite different than what is used today, the reader can easily put him/herself in Violet’s shoes and empathize. Her family members and other characters are also developed well so that the reader can additionally see how Violet’s illness affected them and empathize with them. If you have been looking for a story that will bring you insight into how it feels to live with a mental illness yourself or as a family member or friend of someone who does, this is the book for you! Knowing that this book is based on a real person with real experiences is extraordinary to think about. It’s hard to put down!
July 29, 2019
An exquisitely written debut novel by Jess Neal Wood, The Process of Fraying holds a magnifying glass to the ignorance and misinformation surrounding the perception and treatment of mental illness in the early 1940s. Based on the life of Woods’ great grandmother, the book vividly describes Violet’s, heartbreaking descent into depression. In gut-wrenching detail, it depicts Violet’s downward spiral as she struggles to maintain her sanity, and the heart-pounding horrors she endures at the hands of so-called medical professionals. There is no denying that The Process of Fraying will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride, but it is such a well-written and important book that not only do I recommend it -- I urge you to read it.
March 23, 2019
A rare glimpse inside the mind of a woman struggling to maintain her sanity, The Process of Fraying will open your eyes and your heart! Through Violet’s journey, I was awakened to a new understanding of mental illness and filled with compassion for those who suffer. The stigma of mental illness is shattered by the author; the power of the pen is mightily wielded here, and I believe if everyone read this book, we would witness a powerful, positive shift in our society. Entertaining, eloquent, emotionally provocative, and educational, this novel has all the elements of a classic work of literature. Well done, Jess Neal Woods! I look forward to reading your future works!
May 6, 2019
I hadn’t intended to read this book in one sitting, but I couldn’t put it down! The struggle of mental illness patients during the 1940’s is haunting - the religious stigma in Violet’s story made me want to scream. The lack of dignity and respect for her as she underwent “treatment” is nothing short of heartbreaking. This novel addresses a riveting and important topic that needs to be addressed and learned from - I’d highly recommend it.
February 21, 2020
I loved this story! I love how relevant it is. The issues are timeless and yet also historically informative. We fall in love Violet and embrace her struggle as our own. We love her family. One thing I personally enjoyed about the style of this story was that I could put it down when I needed to, but always wanted to pick it back up and keep reading.
April 7, 2025
This is not an easy book to read, more so because it is based on a true story, and probably has happened to more women than Violet. How depression was treated in women during this time is very sad. And for that reason its an outstanding book to read.
January 8, 2020
I couldn’t put this book down and couldn’t stop thinking about the characters after I finished. Relatable, heartbreaking and profound. It’s a definite must read.
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April 25, 2024Loved it - full review to come at a later date.
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