Review: Evil lives in the House of Dr. Edwardes
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 27, 2011
i really liked the book.  for its day, it was pretty modern. freud's methods were becoming known and used to treat patients.the main character, constance, is an newly graduated m.d.(despite having had to take the test 3 times). still, despite her inexperience, she's intrepid. her instincts are good - even though she ignores them at the beginning.)constance is flawed and her flaws are mostly being 'female' but she overcomes that. she doggedly digs for truth when she discovers inconsistencies. she finds her strength and in fact, heroically plans and leads an escape.characterization of the 8 patients is believable.  despite their craziness, the patients are for the most part, likable, not unlike unruly children.  their insanity is being manipulated by a super crazy mastermind. but constance is observant enough to notice the changes in their personalities.  she notices late night activities and noises that awaken her suspicions.the setting and geography are important. it is located in the "devil's gorge".  it's a gated, secluded, former castle in the wooded mountains. the locals are afraid of the asylum and have to be paid high wages for their loyalty. only the very brave among them will work there.as for the workers...you suspect that people are not who they say they are. dr. edwardes himself is not even there to welcome constance. the asylum is under the supervision of his assistant, dr. murchison while dr. edwardes takes 'a rest'.in the movie the evil is the postwar nazis and their secrets. the evil in the book is not a political philosophy, but perverted religious beliefs. in both stories, innocents are sacrificed for evil.