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The Other Girl
They thought she was insane. But what if she was telling the truth?
1942, New Zealand. Edith’s been locked away for a long time. She was just five years old when she was sent to Seacliff Lunatic Asylum. Fifteen years later, she has few memories of her life before the asylum, but longs for one beyond it.
When she survives a devastating fire that destroys her ward, Edith is questioned by the police and a young doctor, Declan Harris. Intrigued by his beautiful patient, Declan begins to doubt the official reasons for her incarceration. Is she truly mad—or could the impossible stories she told as a child actually be true?
Time is running out. With Edie awaiting a new and permanent treatment, soon there will be little of her left to save. Meanwhile intrigue has tipped into obsession—Declan needs to uncover the truth, but in doing so he will risk losing everything. As he sets out to save her mind, will he lose his own?
1942, New Zealand. Edith’s been locked away for a long time. She was just five years old when she was sent to Seacliff Lunatic Asylum. Fifteen years later, she has few memories of her life before the asylum, but longs for one beyond it.
When she survives a devastating fire that destroys her ward, Edith is questioned by the police and a young doctor, Declan Harris. Intrigued by his beautiful patient, Declan begins to doubt the official reasons for her incarceration. Is she truly mad—or could the impossible stories she told as a child actually be true?
Time is running out. With Edie awaiting a new and permanent treatment, soon there will be little of her left to save. Meanwhile intrigue has tipped into obsession—Declan needs to uncover the truth, but in doing so he will risk losing everything. As he sets out to save her mind, will he lose his own?
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2020
2228 people are currently reading
6601 people want to read
About the author
C.D. Major
4 books192 followersWebsite: www.cescamajor.com
Twitter: @CescaMajor
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Twitter: @CescaMajor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 507 reviews
July 15, 2022
Great story
Set in a New Zealand asylum during the time of world war II, this is the story of a young psychiatrist doing his best to free a young woman from her imprisonment. The dialogue is a bit stiff but the tension builds well and leads to a satisfying conclusion. Very good!
Set in a New Zealand asylum during the time of world war II, this is the story of a young psychiatrist doing his best to free a young woman from her imprisonment. The dialogue is a bit stiff but the tension builds well and leads to a satisfying conclusion. Very good!
August 30, 2020
This was my Amazon first reads pick for August. It was always going to be a tough ask. Any book that followed the boisterous, loud and action packed Gathering Dark was going to pale in comparison and this was such a ‘quiet’ book. But it had to be something and this was it. The story is set in New Zealand in 1942 at the Seaview Asylum just after a fire burned down one of the wings killing 37 women. Only two survived. That much is true. There was a Seaview Asylum which, when it was built, was actually the largest building in New Zealand. Part of it did burn down in 1942 and two women did survive. The rest of the story is, of course, fiction.
Young Dr Declan Harris is just starting his psychiatric career at Seaview when the fire occurs. One of the survivors, 20 year old Edith, captures his attention. She is so beautiful and fragile and he is appalled at the ‘treatments’ she is subjected to. You can see where this is going can’t you? So Declan tries to help Edith against the wishes of the head doctor. Her diagnosis of schizophrenia doesn’t seem right and she doesn’t seem violent. Edith was sent to Seaview at the age of five (poor little pet) by her father, a pastor (of course) who was concerned about ‘what people would think’ of her strange talk. Edith used talk about when she was older, her other sister, her other mother and how she was hit over the head and left to die.
Was she suffering delusions or was she recounting a past life? Declan becomes quite obsessed with her and her case and does a lot of investigating and comes up with a cunning plan. But will this be the happy ending he imagined? Or something much darker? The book was certainly beautifully written but I found it very predictable. I can’t imagine the treatment of inmates at these institutions but what was depicted in the book was horrific enough. Thank the universe that mental health treatment has come a long way since those days.
Young Dr Declan Harris is just starting his psychiatric career at Seaview when the fire occurs. One of the survivors, 20 year old Edith, captures his attention. She is so beautiful and fragile and he is appalled at the ‘treatments’ she is subjected to. You can see where this is going can’t you? So Declan tries to help Edith against the wishes of the head doctor. Her diagnosis of schizophrenia doesn’t seem right and she doesn’t seem violent. Edith was sent to Seaview at the age of five (poor little pet) by her father, a pastor (of course) who was concerned about ‘what people would think’ of her strange talk. Edith used talk about when she was older, her other sister, her other mother and how she was hit over the head and left to die.
Was she suffering delusions or was she recounting a past life? Declan becomes quite obsessed with her and her case and does a lot of investigating and comes up with a cunning plan. But will this be the happy ending he imagined? Or something much darker? The book was certainly beautifully written but I found it very predictable. I can’t imagine the treatment of inmates at these institutions but what was depicted in the book was horrific enough. Thank the universe that mental health treatment has come a long way since those days.
August 2, 2020
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
A supernatural mystery that has two stories: Edith’s past and an investigation into how the ward was destroyed by the fire. This is my first read by Major and I was impressed by the writing. I hope to be able to read more by this author in the future.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
A supernatural mystery that has two stories: Edith’s past and an investigation into how the ward was destroyed by the fire. This is my first read by Major and I was impressed by the writing. I hope to be able to read more by this author in the future.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
September 14, 2020
The Other Girl by C D Major is that book you get excited about reading, start and it's going great but somewhere it just flattens out to it's going to get better then the ending happens to end on a OK note.
I really wanted more and more about Edith's condition it just felt I was missing something and left asking yes and.......
I would definitely recommend it. It's a simple thriller and it's a fast read with just enough something to keep going 📖
I really wanted more and more about Edith's condition it just felt I was missing something and left asking yes and.......
I would definitely recommend it. It's a simple thriller and it's a fast read with just enough something to keep going 📖
April 23, 2023
Declan Harris is a junior doctor fresh out of medical school. He is working at Seacliff Lunatic Asylum in New Zealand. The year is 1948. A certain patient, 20-year-old Edith Garrett, has caught his attention. She has been in the asylum since she was five years old having been diagnosed with multiple personality disorder (The Other Girl). She was just one of two survivors as one of the ward’s went up in flames. 37 women died.
The book flips from before the fire, to after the fire to when Edith was five years old. Something has happened in Edith’s past. She had another past and those events were traumatic. Something is happening now. What that is, the reader is not sure and nor is Dr Harris. Are these memories real or imagined? You immediately like Edith and Dr Harris. You want the best for her. Will he be the hero of the day?
Doctor Malone, head doctor of the asylum, has a treatment ready for Edith and as you can imagine it is not one that is going to help her. It is called a leucotomy (lobotomy). Declan aims to find out the truth before that treatment is administered. There is still the mystery of the fire. How did it start?
The above all sounds rather good and the actual story is (a lot based on truth), but the delivery does not live up to it unfortunately in my opinion. It is a slow burner and the flipping back and forward got a little confusing at times. I just could not get into it at all.
The book flips from before the fire, to after the fire to when Edith was five years old. Something has happened in Edith’s past. She had another past and those events were traumatic. Something is happening now. What that is, the reader is not sure and nor is Dr Harris. Are these memories real or imagined? You immediately like Edith and Dr Harris. You want the best for her. Will he be the hero of the day?
Doctor Malone, head doctor of the asylum, has a treatment ready for Edith and as you can imagine it is not one that is going to help her. It is called a leucotomy (lobotomy). Declan aims to find out the truth before that treatment is administered. There is still the mystery of the fire. How did it start?
The above all sounds rather good and the actual story is (a lot based on truth), but the delivery does not live up to it unfortunately in my opinion. It is a slow burner and the flipping back and forward got a little confusing at times. I just could not get into it at all.
February 4, 2020
Hugely atmospheric, incredibly creepy and so emotional. A clever and sinister page turner set in a New Zealand asylum, exploring the idea of past lives. I can’t recommend this book enough.
September 19, 2020
Great Historical Fiction
I loved this book. It took you on a great ride, never knowing where it might lead you. Great characters, the good nd bad. Learning what life was like for the mentally ill or those thought to be mentally ill was sure she opening.
I loved this book. It took you on a great ride, never knowing where it might lead you. Great characters, the good nd bad. Learning what life was like for the mentally ill or those thought to be mentally ill was sure she opening.
August 8, 2020
DNF at 38%. Very slow and I didn’t like the dragged out writing style. At 38% nothing has happened. It is very rare I don’t finish a book but I just couldn’t continue reading this.
December 19, 2020
I can see how this one has such a range of reviews. It's slow and grim and the past life thing is pretty silly. And the ending. Ugh. And because the ending sucks, I'm spoiling it. My other thoughts are at the bottom, so you don't have to wade through them if you just want to know how it ends.
The protagonist isn't schizophrenic, she is remembering a past life. No, really, it gets "proven." Because she's pretty, the new young doctor becomes fixated with her and is determined to figure her out and get her our of the institution before they lobotomize her. Big eye roll. That is so sleazy, even if it wasn't presented explicitly that way.
Anyway, the institution burns down (just the wing the protagonist lives in) and 37 patients die. Protagonist and one other woman escape. Was it an accident? Was it faulty wiring? Was it arson? It was arson. Was it one of the three inmates who were terrorizing the protagonist? Nope. It was the protagonist! We learn it in the last minute of the book, when she and the young doctor are in the car off to start a new life together. Doctor feels like he may have made a big mistake. The end.
How frustrating!
So, an aside: a few years ago, I volunteered at a state-run home for vulnerable adults in Peru. There are a lot of things that I saw and experienced there, both positive and, well, kind of upsetting, that I could never forget. So, one of the first things the volunteers noticed when we started was that there were no doors on the toilet stalls. It makes sense, of course, for safety reasons, but it was also weirdly sad. We take going to the toilet without being watched for granted. Anyway. One of the first scenes in The Other Girl involved the main character attempting to pee in a doorless toilet stall, being threatened by other patients while the nurses stood nearby. It really got to me.
Anything set in a mental institution is bound to be miserable. The descriptions of how patients were treated and the abuse between victims was horrifying. So yeah, credit to the author for realism on that score. But that's about it.
The protagonist isn't schizophrenic, she is remembering a past life. No, really, it gets "proven." Because she's pretty, the new young doctor becomes fixated with her and is determined to figure her out and get her our of the institution before they lobotomize her. Big eye roll. That is so sleazy, even if it wasn't presented explicitly that way.
Anyway, the institution burns down (just the wing the protagonist lives in) and 37 patients die. Protagonist and one other woman escape. Was it an accident? Was it faulty wiring? Was it arson? It was arson. Was it one of the three inmates who were terrorizing the protagonist? Nope. It was the protagonist! We learn it in the last minute of the book, when she and the young doctor are in the car off to start a new life together. Doctor feels like he may have made a big mistake. The end.
How frustrating!
So, an aside: a few years ago, I volunteered at a state-run home for vulnerable adults in Peru. There are a lot of things that I saw and experienced there, both positive and, well, kind of upsetting, that I could never forget. So, one of the first things the volunteers noticed when we started was that there were no doors on the toilet stalls. It makes sense, of course, for safety reasons, but it was also weirdly sad. We take going to the toilet without being watched for granted. Anyway. One of the first scenes in The Other Girl involved the main character attempting to pee in a doorless toilet stall, being threatened by other patients while the nurses stood nearby. It really got to me.
Anything set in a mental institution is bound to be miserable. The descriptions of how patients were treated and the abuse between victims was horrifying. So yeah, credit to the author for realism on that score. But that's about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2021
I found this book to be engaging and read it over the course of two days. Beautifully written, and well plotted--my only issue was with some abuse scenes. They weren't too bad and probably wouldn't bother most readers, but I'm a smidge sensitive and had to skim those chapters.
January 22, 2022
I was intrigued by the premise of this book but unfortunately found it very slow.
September 2, 2020
Told over two time-lines, The Other Girl is a haunting and dramatic story of Edith, a girl who has been incarcerated in a lunatic asylum since she was just five years old. The story opens in 1942 as a terrible fire rages through the ward that Edith and over thirty other woman sleep in. The fire is unrelenting and the sheer horror of this event is so well portrayed. The black, thick smoke and the devastation caused by the flames is quite shocking and when it is over only Edith and one other woman have survived.
The story then goes back to 1927 when Edith is living as a small child with her parents. It is clear from the start that Edith is a little different and causes tension within the family, it's almost as though her parents are ashamed of her behaviour. She speaks clearly and yet she speaks of things that a well-brought up child of the times should not be talking about.
The Other Girl is based on true events; the fire in the asylum is based on a very similar event that happened in New Zealand in 1942, and Edith's issues are taken from research that the author has done. The depth of research shines through in the writing and the story has depth and intrigue throughout.
As the reader learns more about Edith's life, both whilst at the asylum and the reasons for her initial admittance; one cannot help but feel both sorrow and anger for her situation. The description of life within the asylum, and especially on Ward Five is at times, heartbreaking and I rooted for Edith throughout the story. Her unlikely saviour; Dr Declan Harris, is a carefully drawn character. A newly qualified doctor, in his first job. Younger and more forward thinking than Doctor Malone who has been in charge for years. Declan meets Edith for the first time when she's being interviewed by the police after the fire. He is fascinated by her, and her story, and risks the wrath of Malone, to try to take on her case.
The Other Girl is a carefully woven story that is both fascinating and intriguing. The author delves into issues that will raise many questions throughout. It's a slow-moving story, and character-led, but each character is beautifully constructed.
An atmospheric story, that will chill the reader at times.
The story then goes back to 1927 when Edith is living as a small child with her parents. It is clear from the start that Edith is a little different and causes tension within the family, it's almost as though her parents are ashamed of her behaviour. She speaks clearly and yet she speaks of things that a well-brought up child of the times should not be talking about.
The Other Girl is based on true events; the fire in the asylum is based on a very similar event that happened in New Zealand in 1942, and Edith's issues are taken from research that the author has done. The depth of research shines through in the writing and the story has depth and intrigue throughout.
As the reader learns more about Edith's life, both whilst at the asylum and the reasons for her initial admittance; one cannot help but feel both sorrow and anger for her situation. The description of life within the asylum, and especially on Ward Five is at times, heartbreaking and I rooted for Edith throughout the story. Her unlikely saviour; Dr Declan Harris, is a carefully drawn character. A newly qualified doctor, in his first job. Younger and more forward thinking than Doctor Malone who has been in charge for years. Declan meets Edith for the first time when she's being interviewed by the police after the fire. He is fascinated by her, and her story, and risks the wrath of Malone, to try to take on her case.
The Other Girl is a carefully woven story that is both fascinating and intriguing. The author delves into issues that will raise many questions throughout. It's a slow-moving story, and character-led, but each character is beautifully constructed.
An atmospheric story, that will chill the reader at times.
September 3, 2020
I chose The Other Girl as part of Amazon’s First Reads a few months ago as the blurb appealed to me and I do like a book containing a Lunatic Asylum!
Set in the early 40’s in New Zealand, Edith (Edie) is a young woman who has spent her entire childhood and adult life locked up in an asylum and abandoned by her parents. The story begins after a fire has destroyed a large wing of the hospital killing 37 female patients and leaving only Edie and 1 other patient alive.
Young Doctor Declan Harris, newly appointed to the asylum spots Edith, feeling an instant connection he becomes determined to find out why she is in the hospital.
There is an element of the supernatural and the story is a slow burner, however this is an atmospheric and spooky tale with an element of historical fiction looking at how patients were treated in the early 20th century The Other Girl is an interesting read full of fascinating characters.
Set in the early 40’s in New Zealand, Edith (Edie) is a young woman who has spent her entire childhood and adult life locked up in an asylum and abandoned by her parents. The story begins after a fire has destroyed a large wing of the hospital killing 37 female patients and leaving only Edie and 1 other patient alive.
Young Doctor Declan Harris, newly appointed to the asylum spots Edith, feeling an instant connection he becomes determined to find out why she is in the hospital.
There is an element of the supernatural and the story is a slow burner, however this is an atmospheric and spooky tale with an element of historical fiction looking at how patients were treated in the early 20th century The Other Girl is an interesting read full of fascinating characters.
April 6, 2020
Goosebump-inducingly brilliant!
March 25, 2021
I read this book via Kindle Unlimited.
I had heard about this author on here before and when I saw this book on Kindle Unlimited I snapped it up almost immediately. This book starts in 1942 New Zealand with a fire, a devastating fire at a mental health facility that kills 37 patients, nearly the whole of Ward 5 except for Edith and Martha. Edith catches the attention of young Dr Harris immediately. Declan, a young psychologist on a placement, is immediately drawn to Edith and her story. Edith was admitted when she was 5 years old, claiming to have memories of when she was on Earth before, and she was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Multiple Personality Disorder. Declan, who believes these diagnoses after hearing her claims can't help but feel compelled to follow up on them and when her story about being a girl named Primrose from a town not far from the Seacliff Asylum starts to ring true, he's in shock and has to try everything in his power to protect Edith and prove her right before the cruel ancient practices of mental health care get to her and she is sent for a leucotomy.
I really enjoyed this book at first, it's alternative points of view between the past and the present were engaging and interesting and Edith was a likeable character despite not seeing much of her for the first while. However, this book soon started to drag along after a while with Declan's constant battling with his superior starting to become tedious and repetitive. I also found Declan's borderline obsession with Edith odd, especially when Nurse Shaw was so clearly in love with him. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I'm glad I did read it but I'm not sure it lived up to what I had expected. The story being semi-true regarding seacliff and the fire was super interesting and I'm also interested in past life regressions too. I would recommend this for people looking for an easy read but it definitely wasn't everything I thought it would be.
I had heard about this author on here before and when I saw this book on Kindle Unlimited I snapped it up almost immediately. This book starts in 1942 New Zealand with a fire, a devastating fire at a mental health facility that kills 37 patients, nearly the whole of Ward 5 except for Edith and Martha. Edith catches the attention of young Dr Harris immediately. Declan, a young psychologist on a placement, is immediately drawn to Edith and her story. Edith was admitted when she was 5 years old, claiming to have memories of when she was on Earth before, and she was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Multiple Personality Disorder. Declan, who believes these diagnoses after hearing her claims can't help but feel compelled to follow up on them and when her story about being a girl named Primrose from a town not far from the Seacliff Asylum starts to ring true, he's in shock and has to try everything in his power to protect Edith and prove her right before the cruel ancient practices of mental health care get to her and she is sent for a leucotomy.
I really enjoyed this book at first, it's alternative points of view between the past and the present were engaging and interesting and Edith was a likeable character despite not seeing much of her for the first while. However, this book soon started to drag along after a while with Declan's constant battling with his superior starting to become tedious and repetitive. I also found Declan's borderline obsession with Edith odd, especially when Nurse Shaw was so clearly in love with him. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I'm glad I did read it but I'm not sure it lived up to what I had expected. The story being semi-true regarding seacliff and the fire was super interesting and I'm also interested in past life regressions too. I would recommend this for people looking for an easy read but it definitely wasn't everything I thought it would be.
June 19, 2025
This was such a great book!! I loved everything about it! I enjoyed the past and present writing style and the general time periods. Historical fiction is a wonderful genre filled with stories that touch my heart in big ways! It apalls me that the main character, Edith, was placed in an asylum when she was only 5 years old. Especially back then when psych hospitals were so cruel. I have spent a great deal of time being in psych hospitals. First was when I was 13 and off and til I was 39 years old. They have come such a long way from how they used to be. More compassion and far less invasive treatments. I loved Edith's life story! I, also, loved Dr. Declan Harris in this story! There's a twist at the end of the book that definitely took me by surprise! It made my experience with this story even more enjoyable! I definitely recommend this!
November 7, 2023
Compelling period piece set in New Zealand, 1942 involving a complex and thought-provoking plot centred around a young woman housed in a lunatic asylum and a doctor who believes she’s been wrongly admitted. The Other Girl overflows with emotion and heartache as past and present timelines make for uncomfortable reading, such is the brutal and situational unfairness inflicted upon the main character. Blends real life happenstance with theoretical reincarnation to form a plausibly entertaining narrative.
January 4, 2021
Excellent book. Must read if you love thrillers.
November 24, 2020
I loved this one. It was eerie and full of mystery. It's set in 1942 in the Seacliff Asylum where a new doctor by the name of Declan Harris is ow practicing. 1942 and insane asylums weren't a very good combination, as there were so many misconceptions! When tragedy at the asylum strikes, there are numerous deaths a very, very few survivors, one who has been there since she was a very little girl. That person is Edith, whose story will break your heart as you learn more about her throughout the book. I know we've all heard of the horror stories that took place in asylums, and this book definitely includes some of those horrific treatments.
I definitely recommend this one.
I definitely recommend this one.
September 11, 2020
Ok! Well, this is going to be an interesting one to review because C.D Major happens to be a creative writing teacher for the Henley School of Art in the UK, and also runs writing retreats twice a year in the West Country. Why is this interesting? Because, to me, the writing was actually weak, and the characters came across as one-dimensional.
Before I kick off, I will say that the author clearly did something right in order to keep me reading – I finished this book, whereas I have DNFd others for similar issues. The story is promising and it unfolds easily enough. Despite its predictability it kept me entertained. It is interesting to note that this book was also a number one best seller on Amazon Australia when it was released on Amazon First Reads. Writers, pay attention - this says A LOT about the benefits of a good blurb/description, and how far it can take you!
The bullying culture in this book made me feel like I was reading an ‘Orange is the New Black’ spin off, based in a 1940s, New Zealand asylum. Now, I loved ‘Orange is the New Black’, which is a Netflix Originals series… I did not love this book.
Declan Harris, who is the main protagonist and resident junior doctor, comes across as a caricature, rather than a fully formed, three-dimensional character. He almost trips or almost misses sitting in his seat whenever Edith (a patient at the asylum!) is around. He is also unrealistically daft, as it would be obvious to any male that Nurse Shaw is interested in him, but he seems oblivious. The scene where he is trying to tell Nurse Shaw that he suspects what Edith is saying is true was frustrating and unbelievable. Also, how could someone who is so flaky and off with the fairies have had the stamina and concentration to complete a medical degree? Food for thought.
I also found that
If we switch over to the writing itself, there were a lot of issues, particularly with description and vocabulary. If anyone has read 'On Writing’ by Stephen King, you’ll have heard of his toolbox analogy, and that vocabulary should be on the very top level. He advises not to try too hard when it comes to choosing words, and there are some prime examples in ‘The Other Girl’ where the author has, well, tried too hard:
- ‘The hair beneath his nostrils’ – this (I assume) refers to Doctor Malone’s moustache… at first I actually thought she was referring to his nostril hairs!
- ‘Moved her mouth into a smile’ – so… she smiled?
- ‘Full of drink’ – the guy is drunk.
The ‘twist’ at the end was one of the possibilities I had envisioned, BUT it was still nice to have that darkness I’d been waiting for finally come out. I will say that I enjoyed the author’s notes at the end, they were very interesting, and I hadn’t realised the fire was based on a real event. Overall, three stars.
Before I kick off, I will say that the author clearly did something right in order to keep me reading – I finished this book, whereas I have DNFd others for similar issues. The story is promising and it unfolds easily enough. Despite its predictability it kept me entertained. It is interesting to note that this book was also a number one best seller on Amazon Australia when it was released on Amazon First Reads. Writers, pay attention - this says A LOT about the benefits of a good blurb/description, and how far it can take you!
The bullying culture in this book made me feel like I was reading an ‘Orange is the New Black’ spin off, based in a 1940s, New Zealand asylum. Now, I loved ‘Orange is the New Black’, which is a Netflix Originals series… I did not love this book.
Declan Harris, who is the main protagonist and resident junior doctor, comes across as a caricature, rather than a fully formed, three-dimensional character. He almost trips or almost misses sitting in his seat whenever Edith (a patient at the asylum!) is around. He is also unrealistically daft, as it would be obvious to any male that Nurse Shaw is interested in him, but he seems oblivious. The scene where he is trying to tell Nurse Shaw that he suspects what Edith is saying is true was frustrating and unbelievable. Also, how could someone who is so flaky and off with the fairies have had the stamina and concentration to complete a medical degree? Food for thought.
I also found that
If we switch over to the writing itself, there were a lot of issues, particularly with description and vocabulary. If anyone has read 'On Writing’ by Stephen King, you’ll have heard of his toolbox analogy, and that vocabulary should be on the very top level. He advises not to try too hard when it comes to choosing words, and there are some prime examples in ‘The Other Girl’ where the author has, well, tried too hard:
- ‘The hair beneath his nostrils’ – this (I assume) refers to Doctor Malone’s moustache… at first I actually thought she was referring to his nostril hairs!
- ‘Moved her mouth into a smile’ – so… she smiled?
- ‘Full of drink’ – the guy is drunk.
The ‘twist’ at the end was one of the possibilities I had envisioned, BUT it was still nice to have that darkness I’d been waiting for finally come out. I will say that I enjoyed the author’s notes at the end, they were very interesting, and I hadn’t realised the fire was based on a real event. Overall, three stars.
August 20, 2020
I know I said I would not read any more books that had the word 'girl' in the title because I was sick of the infantilisation of women in contemporary fiction, but I might need to add some exceptions to my statement, because in this case, the word 'girl' was entirely appropriate.
An asylum is ravaged by fire, leaving many of the patients it was housing dead. Newly arrived Dr Declan Harris is drawn to one of the survivors, Edith, a young woman locked away in the asylum since childhood. Delving into her history, Dr Harris cannot fathom why Edie is scheduled for a 'procedure' that will tear into her brain, stripping out all of what makes her what she is. Determined to work with Edith to save her from this fate, Dr Harris begins investigating Edith's memories of another time, another life - another girl.
With increasing desperation, in a fight against time to save Edie from her fate, Dr Harris begins to believe that Edie might indeed have lived before. But once he discovers the truth, can he live with the consequences of it?
This was a fast paced, creepy tale, with quite a gothic feel. The setting gave quite a claustrophobic feel and draws you in. The terrific characterisation meant that I was heavily invested in Edie's fate, and was almost cheering Dr Harris along, willing him to get a little backbone so that he could stand up for Edie.
As for the ending. Did I see it coming? Yes. I did. But this doesn't spoil the book. In the interests of not spoiling it for the rest of you I am not going to comment further on the ending. But I will now revise my thoughts on books with the word 'Girl' in the title.
An asylum is ravaged by fire, leaving many of the patients it was housing dead. Newly arrived Dr Declan Harris is drawn to one of the survivors, Edith, a young woman locked away in the asylum since childhood. Delving into her history, Dr Harris cannot fathom why Edie is scheduled for a 'procedure' that will tear into her brain, stripping out all of what makes her what she is. Determined to work with Edith to save her from this fate, Dr Harris begins investigating Edith's memories of another time, another life - another girl.
With increasing desperation, in a fight against time to save Edie from her fate, Dr Harris begins to believe that Edie might indeed have lived before. But once he discovers the truth, can he live with the consequences of it?
This was a fast paced, creepy tale, with quite a gothic feel. The setting gave quite a claustrophobic feel and draws you in. The terrific characterisation meant that I was heavily invested in Edie's fate, and was almost cheering Dr Harris along, willing him to get a little backbone so that he could stand up for Edie.
As for the ending. Did I see it coming? Yes. I did. But this doesn't spoil the book. In the interests of not spoiling it for the rest of you I am not going to comment further on the ending. But I will now revise my thoughts on books with the word 'Girl' in the title.
August 3, 2020
This book blew me away. Edith and Declan’s mysterious tale was eerie and emotional and my heart was in my throat as I raced through to uncover the truth! I am now a devoted CD Major fan and will eagerly read whatever she writes next! Highly recommended!!
November 27, 2021
QUATTRO GIORNI 🤦♀️
Quattro giorni per leggere di una pazza internata in manicomio che in realtà ha solo il "dono" di ricordare una sua vita precedente. Perdonate lo spoiler, ma in fondo è evidente sin dai primi capitoli dove la storia andrà a parare, e il continuo rimuginare del dottor Harris non fa che rendere la sua indagine ancora più estenuante. Né è d'aiuto il racconto dei soprusi subiti da Edith da parte delle compagne, che paiono inseriti col solo pretesto di inserire delle parti saffiche e alquanto spinte. Ottimo finale, però.
Quattro giorni per leggere di una pazza internata in manicomio che in realtà ha solo il "dono" di ricordare una sua vita precedente. Perdonate lo spoiler, ma in fondo è evidente sin dai primi capitoli dove la storia andrà a parare, e il continuo rimuginare del dottor Harris non fa che rendere la sua indagine ancora più estenuante. Né è d'aiuto il racconto dei soprusi subiti da Edith da parte delle compagne, che paiono inseriti col solo pretesto di inserire delle parti saffiche e alquanto spinte. Ottimo finale, però.
dnf
August 15, 2022DNF @32%
Just couldn’t get into it.
Just couldn’t get into it.
May 7, 2021
Really enjoyed all the way through but was disappointed in the ending.
May 30, 2023
Setting: New Zealand; 1927-1942.
Edith Garrett has been confined to Seacliff Lunatic Asylum since 1927 when she was 5 years old. She kept telling her parents (a pastor and his wife) about her existence as the 'other girl' who she claims was murdered by her stepbrother. Diagnosed as a schizophrenic, Edith is incarcerated, treated with medication and ECT (electro-convulsive therapy) and is still there 15 years later in 1942.
At this time, there is a serious fire in a wood-built ward during the night - locked in, the women in the ward are unable to escape and 37 women die. Only Edith and one other inmate escape the fire.
Declan Harris is a junior doctor at the asylum, working under the direction of Doctor Malone. Finding out how long Edith has been there, Declan starts to look into her case but is obstructed by his boss, Doctor Malone. He then decides to investigate the claims that Edith made about her 'previous life' when she was first incarcerated - with surprising results.....
This was an excellent read - great characters and setting and an intriguing storyline makes for a gripping read, with an unexpected twist right at the end that comes as quite a surprise - 9/10.
Edith Garrett has been confined to Seacliff Lunatic Asylum since 1927 when she was 5 years old. She kept telling her parents (a pastor and his wife) about her existence as the 'other girl' who she claims was murdered by her stepbrother. Diagnosed as a schizophrenic, Edith is incarcerated, treated with medication and ECT (electro-convulsive therapy) and is still there 15 years later in 1942.
At this time, there is a serious fire in a wood-built ward during the night - locked in, the women in the ward are unable to escape and 37 women die. Only Edith and one other inmate escape the fire.
Declan Harris is a junior doctor at the asylum, working under the direction of Doctor Malone. Finding out how long Edith has been there, Declan starts to look into her case but is obstructed by his boss, Doctor Malone. He then decides to investigate the claims that Edith made about her 'previous life' when she was first incarcerated - with surprising results.....
This was an excellent read - great characters and setting and an intriguing storyline makes for a gripping read, with an unexpected twist right at the end that comes as quite a surprise - 9/10.
March 11, 2024
Interessante cenno storico. Un romanzo basato su un luogo (manicomio), un periodo storico ed episodio (incendio) vero.
Una capacità fantastica di mantenere una tensione costante fino all’angoscia.
Però, non accade nulla che ti sorprende, aspetti che succeda qualcosa di nuovo, aspetti ancora e ancora e ancora.
L’ultima pagina ti sconvolge: “ma allora è proprio vero! non succede nulla, nulla di più di quello che è chiaro fin dalla prima pagina.
E’ davvero scontato. Un esempio da manuale di “colpi telefonati” e che non sono più delle dita di una mano.
Inoltre, allo scopo di mantenere la tensione l’autrice macina e rimacina le stesse cose, gli stessi argomenti, le stesse situazioni fino a diventare noioso e dal mio punto di vista anche piuttosto innervosente.
Una capacità fantastica di mantenere una tensione costante fino all’angoscia.
Però, non accade nulla che ti sorprende, aspetti che succeda qualcosa di nuovo, aspetti ancora e ancora e ancora.
L’ultima pagina ti sconvolge: “ma allora è proprio vero! non succede nulla, nulla di più di quello che è chiaro fin dalla prima pagina.
E’ davvero scontato. Un esempio da manuale di “colpi telefonati” e che non sono più delle dita di una mano.
Inoltre, allo scopo di mantenere la tensione l’autrice macina e rimacina le stesse cose, gli stessi argomenti, le stesse situazioni fino a diventare noioso e dal mio punto di vista anche piuttosto innervosente.
August 14, 2021
2 & 1/2 stars.
March 11, 2022
not a bad read, but felt that the story was dragged out too long
October 1, 2024
Weird concept, reminds me of a religious movie, but the ending made me gasp
Displaying 1 - 30 of 507 reviews