Hysteria

by Eva Gale

England, 1860, and by her mother’s orders Constance is in treatment for Hysteria. She never complains. Until a new doctor takes over and threatens the only pleasure she knows in life.

18 and over please.

Genres: Erotica, Romance, Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical

57 pages, Nook

First published January 27, 2009

About the author

Eva Gale loves white cupcakes with bitter chocolate frosting, lots of dark roast coffee and six-foot piles of books. She would prefer them all at once, but she takes what she can get. She lives in the farmlands of NJ, with her husband and seven children whom they homeschool. They have one doofus Doberman, a Yellow Naped Amazon named Gizmo, two cats and two Blackberry Hamsters named Mac and PC but are looking to add chickens, guinea hens, bees and Lancashire Heelers to their collection. When she’s not guiding school, she’s writing, weeding the garden or doing endless loads of dishes and laundry.

Reviews

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...]]

My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

Ok have to admit the whole premise of this novella sounded weird to me but it was because I had no idea how a patient of hysteria was treated back in the middle or late 19th century. I haven’t read a review for this before reading, so I went back to Wikipedia and this is what I learned on female hysteria and it’s treatment:

The technique was difficult for a physician to master and could take hours to achieve "hysterical paroxysm." Referral to midwives, which had been common practice, meant a loss of business for the physician. The Chaise Longue and Fainting couch became popular home furniture to make women more comfortable during home treatment. Fainting rooms were also used for more privacy during home treatment.

A solution was the invention of massage devices, which shortened treatment from hours to minutes, removing the need for midwives and increasing a physician’s treatment capacity. Already at the beginning of the 19th century, hydrotherapy devices were available at Bath, and by the mid-19th century, they were popular at many high-profile bathing resorts across Europe and in America. By 1870, a clockwork-driven vibrator was available for physicians. In 1873, the first electromechanical vibrator was used at an asylum in France for the treatment of hysteria.

While physicians of the period acknowledged that the disorder stemmed from sexual dissatisfaction, they seemed unaware of or unwilling to admit the sexual purposes of the devices used to treat it. In fact, the introduction of the speculum was far more controversial than that of the vibrator.

Although it doesn’t give me a lot of information but now I got some grasp about the situation. Have to say, considering this is a novella, EG did a good job of capturing the mindset of a hysteria patient.

The girl, Constance, 25, lives with her parents. Her family from her father’s side is cursed with madness. It is presumed that she’s mad too. She never knew love. Her father, a madman, doesn’t care and her mother is a cold b*tch and treats her abominably. The narrative is from 1st person POV. It’s been a while since I’ve read a 1st person narrative in a novel. I liked Eva Gale’s writing style. It wasn’t complex or anything but the emotion is flowing through the paragraphs.

The story starts as her mother was getting her ready for her weekly treatment, to visit the Doctor’s chamber. It was painful to read, how she narrates her mother ‘dressing’ her up for this. Then they’re there, the treatment starts. It’s easy to see she’s stimulated by the Doctor’s treatment yet feels guilty of this. It’s not as if she fantasizes about this Doctor but she wants the release that the machine almost gives her. This time, the Doctor tells her he’d introduce her to someone new, a Doctor Drake for her further treatment. I’m not sure why this change but she agrees and waits in anticipation for the coming week. She even thinks about Doctor Drake and how he might continue with his treatment, would he be handsome or ugly etc. To ease the pressure that sprung from the treatment, she masturbates too.

The day finally arrives and she’s there but the old Doctor welcomes her into the chamber. Inside she takes her clothes off, waits for Doctor Drake. Oh but he’s a big and handsome man. Constance is now feeling uncomfortable because this time she knows she won’t be able to feign indifference because her body feels attuned to him. But Doctor Drake is very nice to her and gives her an orgasm with his hands. Constance leaves, planning she won’t be back again, even though Doctor Drake asked that he wishes to see her again.

I won’t go into the finishing since it’s a short story but I liked it. I really did, even though I had questions about certain things. I wish it was made a full novel. I would’ve loved to see their interactions and those two years she spent as Joseph, Doctor Drake’s ward. It’s revealed that from that first moment he wanted her to feel something special for him, something is not brought on by the mechanical devices used for the treatment. Anyway, a good, quick read and not your usual erotica IMO. 4 stars. I think I’ll try more Eva Gale books in the future.

“Hysteria” is a free read, which has 3 long chapters and one sweet love scene. It’s available at smashwords.

[amomentsilence]

1.5 Stars, at most.

Not sure what I was expecting from this, but this definitely was not it. There wasn't really much story or romance, almost pointless AND plotless, lacking any real character development of any kind or any progression of story... The only thing that was interesting enough were the sex scenes, although, I can't even say those were all that memorable or engaging either.

What a pity. That description sounded interesting enough, but boy did it fall short in execution.

[Phoebebb]

Hysteria, also known as Wondering Womb, was a diagnosis that fit almost every ailment and was made exclusively in women. The uterus was believed to be a living creature that wandered throughout a particularly passionate woman's body.

Treatment for most women was manual stimulation of the genitals by their doctor, or pelvic exam , until she experienced hysterical paroxysm ; otherwise known as orgasm.


This is definitely a subject I have never run across before in fiction, and besides a few editorial flaws, the story was pretty well written. It's historical fiction with a love story thrown in, but mostly it gives us a peek into the treatment of hysteria during the 19th century and one woman's view of her situation.

I think if you know at least the basic history of hysteria, which I've added above, then this will be an interesting short to read. If you don't care about history but enjoy love stories with light erotica, then you'll probably still enjoy this story as well. Plus, it's a free Barnes and Noble ebook.

[Dana]

even though this was a short story (57 pages on my nook) it drew me in, I have read about the treatments for women of the past, and this was told from the woman's point of view, I enjoyed it and thought it was over too soon, the author Eva Gale should try her hand at longer stories, I would read them.

[Eliza]

intresting topic but the story was too short to develop the characters. I had no investment in them and couldnt careless about their "Illness" or the ridiculous treatments.

[Tara]

Appalling. If I could give this book negative stars I would. It is a poorly written attempt at 19th century pornography.
Worst birthday gift ever.

[Erth]

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.

[Shadow Jubilee]

2.5 stars

When I first started this, I did not know about the historical background of Hysteria and the treatments that had been recommended until I'd read a couple of reviews and looked up the information online. It enabled me to look at it from a different perspective, and made it a better reading experience.

I liked this story. The HEA was rather sweet although it was too short to show why and how Dr. Drake and Constance fell in love. It was also a bit uncomfortable to read and I wasn't certain I would finish it. I think it was because there was some "ick" factor for me in how the two met and under what circumstances. There was also the fact that as the reader, I was reading from Constance's 1st person, present tense POV. It is actually a bit disturbing how eagerly she looks forward to her treatments and manipulates her mother and her doctor to get her way although I can see why she would do so. But the writing style lent her voice a particular "mad" quality to it which became very authentic when she tried to throw herself out of her window to avoid seeing Dr. Drake. If I could have seen her processing why she had felt so anxious and disturbed by Dr. Drake, I think I would have liked it better. And then, there's the question of whether Dr. Drake had the authority to remove her from her parents' care and take her as his Ward.

[Maru chan]

1.5 ⭐

Uff, la idea no está mal, pero al hacerla tan corta hace que todo sea muy rápido y sin sentido. La primera mitad estaba interesante, pero luego en la segunda parte se ven una sola vez ya se gustaron y se fueron juntos y luego da un enorme salto en el tiempo y se acaba.

[BookNerdette]

I knew it would be on the erotica side when it says for ’18 and Up’. But I admit I didn’t realize the diagnosis and the treatment were the… um, erotic part.

It is a short story which is fine, I have found they are a helpful boost in helping me keep my book numbers up so I tend to grab one here and there. With my Nook it is easy as I download their free B&N copies as I find one of interest.

Well when I was finished… I sat briefly... Huh?

Crazy daddy, horrid mother, doctor that fondles her and then he passes her to another doctor that fondles with her.

She missed the next visit, mother has her locked up in room, so the new – young doctor comes to her rescue, whisks her away, says he's-in-love with her and they're married so he can fondle her always. ;)

This is crazy but its not Eva’s fault that back in the day we women were treated like this – embarrassing.

[Wicked ♥ (Wickedly Bookish Reviews) aka Bat-Jess]

This was a Barnes & Noble ebook freebie. I enjoy these short little stories that I can read when I'm in the mood for one and Hysteria is a bit better than the average. Hysteria creates an erotic story around the 19th century method for treating madness or "hysteria" in women. Pretty creepy when you think about it, but this short story manages to make something erotic out of it.

At first you think the main charcter is an insane person recieving weekly "treatments" however, you later ocme to find her life is completely devoid of love and affection. A handsome docor eventually takes over her therapy and romance ensues. Good for a short smut.

[Love love]

If I could discribe this book in one word it would be "mehh". First, this one is in first person wich I hate but I read it anyway. Second it's a REALLY short novella, not much time to develope ANY of the characters and Thrid, just plain boring. IMO.

Constance (h) is a 25 year old spinster that lives with her mother. She goes to the doctor for "treaments" for her hysteria. She secretly really loves her treatments and can hardly stand herself in between doctor app.

Doctor Drake (H) knows that Constance needs his "treatments" and good thing he's good at his job.lol Really, if I write anymore I would give the whole story away.

[Sibel Hodge]

First of all, when I read this, I wasn't aware of the "treatments" for hysteria given to women in the 19th Century, and it's pretty creepy and freaky to think this actually went on!

I'm not in to erotic romance really but I have to admit the writing sucked me in. It's very eloquently written and pretty powerful. But I was disappointed with the ending which happened too quickly and gave no real reason or explanation for it. I think the short story could've been expanded on to make for a more fulfilling ending.

[Michelle Birbeck]

This is the second of Eva Gale’s short stories I’ve read, and I loved it. I’m not one for history, but the occasional historical novel I do enjoy. This is one of those. It isn’t the hot and steamy erotica that 101 Degrees Fahrenheit was, and was more along the lines of The Seduction of Gabriel Stewart, in its slow build and fantastic finale.

The only complaint I had, in fact, was that, as with the other stories by Eva Gale, the ending seemed somewhat rushed.

Overall though, five stars, and absolutely a recommended read!

[LastBreath]

Uhm I didn't expect that.

Ok bizarre medical practices aside this didn't really read like a short story. As harsh as this may sound it came across like a middle of the night quickly written draft. The characters are all disconnected, it didn't have a decent plot and neither was their any romance to qualify the end result.

So why 2 stars? Because this is first historical - hysteria - erotica type that I've read. It's kind of hard to judge when I've never picked up a similar one. Suffice to say I don't feel comfortable recommending.

[Shanon]

I have always had a fascination with the treatment of mental illness in days long gone. In this short story our main character, Constance, has been diagnosed with hysteria. Her treatment is unusual to say the least.

I wasn’t sure how much of this story could be based on fact but a little research on Wikipedia I found it to be fairly accurate.

[Kristi Etherton]

I must admit that I rarely find heterosexual erotica any good. I'm a lesbian, so the whole concept of this erotica shouldn't have been my type of read. However, the premise to the story was interesting enough for me to decide to try this story.

The writing is dirty, but in an eloquent way. I didn't see much of the main character being particularly hysterical, but it was well written and I did enjoy it.

[Darcy]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, it was a freebie I picked up a while ago. So when I started to read it and realized it was from the time when women went to Doctors and were treated with orgasms I had to laugh, not what I expected at all. This "old maid" was starting to live for her treatments, although things changed when her doctor changed from an old man to a young man. The ending had me laughing even more and was about what you would expect.

[Sunsette]

Quite an erotic little book. By the description I wouldn't have guessed it. This is a good candidate for "never judge a book by it's cover." It isn't something I would have chosen to read had I known what it is about. I don't really understand how hysteria came into play, and I have never heard of it being "treated" in such a manner. It left me a bit befuddled.

[Maria]

Was interested to read this book, as remember enjoying the film of the same name which stared Maggie Gyllenhaal. However I do feel that it was too short and because of this the story felt a little rushed, with no real build up of the relationship between the characters. Would have liked to see how the people in this story coped with the aftermath of what they had done.

[Erin]

My friend asked me to read this because she disliked it so much. It was a decent and quick read but I thought it was poorly written and lacked substance. I had no idea that they used to do this type of treatment back in the day.

[Gerri Watkins]

Its rare I give a story five stars, this one rates just that! The mental health of Constances mother and the quack older doctor, its a wonder this young woman made it through to adulthood, let alone happiness. I enjoyed this short story in one sitting, just could not put it down. Well done!

[L. Neal]

What a creepy, dark short tale. I learn something new everyday, never knew this went on....I was actually wondered who condoned these treatments. Medicine has come very far in the modern world, thank God. I enjoyed this short story. Hoping the author gives us a full novel.

[Rosie]

very strange book
very short said 21 pages but showed up as 79 on my Nook.

interesting to say the least

[Martha]

Nook.

[Destiny]

Erotica isn't really my thing, but I enjoyed this short story.

[Carrie]

This story was "ok" at best. It was a quick read that killed some time, so for that, it's worth two stars.

[Sandra]

FREE on Nook

[Julie]

Not what I thoght at all, I didn't finish reading. I was think more of insane crazy people needing help, not people having sex addicitons. If this book gets better I have no Idea.

[Marnie]

Quite an erotica book that I wasnt expecting!! Horrible to even think that this could even happen. Good thing only 20 pages long.