Josephine Briggs answers “Does anyone have thoughts on the modern...”

Michelle Barraclough asked this question about The Good People:

Does anyone have thoughts on the modern name for the illness that afflicted Micheal in this novel? I read through some of the references Hannah Kent put at the end of the novel and came up with 'hypothyroidism'. Just curious if I'm right or if Hannah herself has talked about it anywhere?

Josephine Briggs This sounds like the disease, that Jewish babies get. It is very rare. Not only Jewish babies, but French Canadians and Irish, more rare in them. The …moreThis sounds like the disease, that Jewish babies get. It is very rare. Not only Jewish babies, but French Canadians and Irish, more rare in them. The child is very healthy, doing well, but fades away. Loses everything he or she has learned. I can't think of the name of the disease, but that sounds like what it is. Nora's grandson was a strong healthy baby, but faded into a worse than newborn.(less)

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