Best Book (Trail) of June 2022

Submitted: 3rd July 2022

Best BookTrail of June 2022

This month has been particularly hard to pick a winner. There have been very strong titles published this month and more than one has stood out for many reasons. However, I did pick one. One that I just had to shout about it as the writing, the story, as well as the location are as unique as they come.

Why this won May’s Book (Trail) of the Month

The remarkable true life story

Brilliant characterisation of a woman whose voice was lost in history

A character I really felt a kinship for ( besides what she did in the novel)

The setting of New York and the asylum was shocking and raw, yet brilliant

I couldn’t stop thinking about the main character after I had long finished the book.

Drum roll please…..

The plot:

In 1887 young Nellie Bly sets out for New York and a career in journalism, determined to make her way as a serious reporter, whatever that may take.

But life in the city is tougher than she imagined. She comes up with a dangerous plan: to fake insanity and have herself committed to the asylum that looms on Blackwell’s Island. There, she will work undercover to document – and expose – the wretched conditions faced by the patients.

However, getting out may be a lot harder than getting in.

WINNER!!!!!! Madwoman by Louisa Treger

BookTrail locations in Madwoman

This is such a remarkable story and Nellie is given a wonderful voice by author Louisa Treger. The conditions in the asylum are evoked with care but the writing doesn’t shy away from the grim truth. Nellie and her work is remarkable and I loved the spirit of this woman. When I found out that this was the same woman who I knew had actually done the trail of the novel Around the World in 80 Days, well, I was hooked!