num_pages: 288
description: The year is 1871. In Ashwell Massachusetts at the farm of Samuel Hood and his daughter Caroline a mysterious flock of red birds descends. Samuel whose fame as a philosopher has waned in recent years takes the birds' appearance as an omen that the time is ripe for his newest venture. He will start a school for young women guiding their intellectual development as he has so carefully guided his daughter's. Despite Caroline's misgivings Samuel's vision--revolutionary as always; noble as always; full of holes as always--takes shape.It's not long before the students begin to manifest bizarre symptoms. Rashes fits headaches verbal tics night wanderings. In desperation the school turns to the ministering of a sinister physician--based on a real historic treatment--just as Caroline's body too begins its betrayal. As the girls' conditions worsens long-buried secrets emerge and Caroline must confront the all-male all-knowing authorities around her the ones who insist the voices of the sufferers are unreliable. In order to save herself Caroline may have to destroy everything she's ever known.Written in intensely vivid prose and brimming with psychological insight The Illness Lesson is a powerful exploration of women's bodies women's minds and the time-honored tradition of doubting both.
language: English
title: The Illness Lesson
publisher: Doubleday