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Free From the World
The 1960s are meant to be progressive, but as a new psychiatrist to Black Roding, Ruth does not find the staff at the large London asylum so. Instead of encouraging her attempts to implement the asylum’s Superintendent’s ideas, the staff are strangely reluctant to progress the asylum’s ways. Challenged at every turn, Ruth is forced to turn to the patients – including Richard Simms, a middle-aged man who proves hard to categorise and seems to have no apparent records of his former life.
Although she tries to help, Richard shuns her with an almost desperate denial, similar to the staff who stride the echoing corridors. Drawn to this anxious man, Ruth digs deeper into his story, eliciting a string of events that can never be buried again. Too late to turn back, Ruth is inexorably drawn into the web of Black Roding, remembering too late that the fly very rarely outwits the spider…
Although she tries to help, Richard shuns her with an almost desperate denial, similar to the staff who stride the echoing corridors. Drawn to this anxious man, Ruth digs deeper into his story, eliciting a string of events that can never be buried again. Too late to turn back, Ruth is inexorably drawn into the web of Black Roding, remembering too late that the fly very rarely outwits the spider…
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2019
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 8, 2019
First of all, I'd like to thank Troubador Publishing Ltd. for the ARC I received via NetGalley.
Free from the World is a neat thriller that takes you into the world of a psychiatric hospital and gives what seems to me a rather detailed account of the way it works on the inside. There is some little, but valuable social commentary too, which really enriches the narrative. It means a lot to have a strong and capable woman as the leading character, and we do spend a lot of time in her head and get to root for her. The commentary on how difficult it must have been for a woman to assume her role due to the social backlash is especially on point. It would have been nice to see other female doctors at Black Roding or at another hospital for comparison.
I would have also liked to know more about some of the other patients, since Ruth and the story both focus on Richard so much, but of course his own story is really interesting on its own.
Personally, it seemed to me that the end was a little abrupt, somewhat out of proportion with how drawn out the rest of the story was, but I guess it still worked. There were also many hints and glimpses into Richard's thoughts, and that took some of the thrust away from the big reveal in my opinion. However, I see how difficult it would have been to write everything from Ruth's perspective.
As it is, the story is really entertaining and worth reading. I particularly enjoyed comparing the attitude towards mental illness and the treatment options then and now, because that part seemed stunningly well researched.
Free from the World is a neat thriller that takes you into the world of a psychiatric hospital and gives what seems to me a rather detailed account of the way it works on the inside. There is some little, but valuable social commentary too, which really enriches the narrative. It means a lot to have a strong and capable woman as the leading character, and we do spend a lot of time in her head and get to root for her. The commentary on how difficult it must have been for a woman to assume her role due to the social backlash is especially on point. It would have been nice to see other female doctors at Black Roding or at another hospital for comparison.
I would have also liked to know more about some of the other patients, since Ruth and the story both focus on Richard so much, but of course his own story is really interesting on its own.
Personally, it seemed to me that the end was a little abrupt, somewhat out of proportion with how drawn out the rest of the story was, but I guess it still worked. There were also many hints and glimpses into Richard's thoughts, and that took some of the thrust away from the big reveal in my opinion. However, I see how difficult it would have been to write everything from Ruth's perspective.
As it is, the story is really entertaining and worth reading. I particularly enjoyed comparing the attitude towards mental illness and the treatment options then and now, because that part seemed stunningly well researched.
December 9, 2019
2.5 out of 5 stars
Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows two perspectives of a psychiatric patient and the psychiatrist. The 'Intra Scriptum' at the beginning was really intriguing and grabs your attention. I found myself needing to know what's going on. Who's following her? Why are they so fascinated in her? TELL ME
I would recommend this to someone who enjoys reading books that take place in the asylum/mental hospital type facility. I would also recommend this to those you appreciate well structured and thought out characters. Ruth and Richard's personalities are strong and they definitely have their own voices in the book.
This unfortunately wasn't the book for me. I appreciated the concept and the the setting but that is really it. The main issue I had was parts were too descriptive. It felt like a word count essay by adding additional sentences for no apparent reason.
The reveal wasn't exactly shocking or necessary but I enjoyed getting the background knowledge whether I felt it needed or not.
Unlikable characters don't deter me from enjoying a book but I did not like Ruth as a character she often felt rude and demanding. That's something to keep in mind when reading if that bother you.
In terms of the plot I felt like nothing really happened until the ending. The ending was very sudden and I didn't feel like the plot built up to it at all.
Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows two perspectives of a psychiatric patient and the psychiatrist. The 'Intra Scriptum' at the beginning was really intriguing and grabs your attention. I found myself needing to know what's going on. Who's following her? Why are they so fascinated in her? TELL ME
I would recommend this to someone who enjoys reading books that take place in the asylum/mental hospital type facility. I would also recommend this to those you appreciate well structured and thought out characters. Ruth and Richard's personalities are strong and they definitely have their own voices in the book.
This unfortunately wasn't the book for me. I appreciated the concept and the the setting but that is really it. The main issue I had was parts were too descriptive. It felt like a word count essay by adding additional sentences for no apparent reason.
The reveal wasn't exactly shocking or necessary but I enjoyed getting the background knowledge whether I felt it needed or not.
Unlikable characters don't deter me from enjoying a book but I did not like Ruth as a character she often felt rude and demanding. That's something to keep in mind when reading if that bother you.
In terms of the plot I felt like nothing really happened until the ending. The ending was very sudden and I didn't feel like the plot built up to it at all.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews