Review: A realistic tale and a lovely love story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 18, 2014
This well-written story paints a realistic picture of a gentleman imprisoned in an asylum for "treatment" of his "perversion." John Gilliam is an academic. He is also a homosexual in Victorian England. His father discovers his deviance and John agrees to treatment to cure his unnatural desires. This is commensurate with the time period. (Though still an issue in some locales today!)In his second asylum (the first where he had been brutally attacked and nearly raped by staff) John experiences compassion from one of the attendants, a burly man named Sam Tully. In recognition of his kindness, John seeks to educate Tully--both in reading and numbers. Their acquaintance grows into a friendship and attachment, and more.During his 'treatment' small moments loom large. A gentle brush back of his hair, a reassuring pat on the shoulder, tiny stolen touches that pull John from despair into happiness. And for Tully, who strives to hide his own unnatural predilection, John is all he could hope for. The men become intimate, under the cover of darkness or during Tully's lessons.Unfortunately, the other attendants aren't so moral--or kind. Jenkins, a habitually drunk and derelict attendant, seeks to blackmail both John and Tully for pooftery. Though he has no direct proof of their interactions, an accusation will undoubtedly cost Tully his job and keep John a patient indefinitely.Recognizing that there is something fishy about Jenkins employment, John urges Tully to investigate. Learning the history of indiscretions that have occurred in the asylum, the possibility to get John out safely seems small. Tully and John each have their battles to gain John's freedom.And what then? Can a gentleman and a laborer find happiness with each other? Would the world accept their companionship?I loved this one. A steady build of tension throughout helped develop the clandestine love affair. The subject matter--human experimentation, institutional greed, homosexuality as a mental illness--were handled with due gravity. The love scenes were quiet, but poignant. Dual viewpoint really allowed the reader to experience both sides of the story.I was gifted a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.