The Mad Women's Ball
The Mad Women's Ball
Book Brief
Beta224
Novel • Fiction
•
Fantasy•
Historical FictionParis, France • 1880s
•
Mental Illness•
World History2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas is a historical novel set in 19th-century Paris. It centers on the lives of women confined at the Salpêtrière Asylum. As they prepare for the annual Mad Women’s Ball, a young woman with a secret and a nurse struggle with societal norms, highlighting themes of empowerment and defiance.
Mysterious
Dark
Melancholic
Emotional
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
38,628 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas is lauded for its haunting atmosphere and powerful themes, immersing readers in a captivating historical narrative. The prose is praised for its elegance and emotional depth. However, some critiques mention a lack of character development. Overall, the novel offers a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Mad Women's Ball?
Readers who revel in historical fiction with feminist themes will enjoy The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas. Fans of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern or The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, drawn to atmospheric storytelling and strong female characters overcoming societal constraints, will find it compelling.
38,628 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Mad Women's Ball was awarded the Prix Renaudot des Lycéens in 2019, a prestigious French literary prize decided by high school students.
The book explores themes of women's autonomy and mental health during the 19th century through the lens of a historical event at the Salpêtrière asylum.
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The author, Victoria Mas, is a French writer who has previously worked in the film industry, bringing a cinematic flair to her debut novel.
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224
Novel • Fiction
•
Fantasy•
Historical FictionParis, France • 1880s
•
Mental Illness•
World History2021
Adult
18+ years
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