The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of mental illness, gender discrimination, and emotional abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did your perception of Elizabeth Packard evolve throughout the book? Like Kate Moore's earlier work The Radium Girls, this book examines one woman's fight against systemic injustice. How do these narratives compare in their approach to highlighting historical wrongs?

2. What was your initial reaction to learning how easily a husband could commit his wife to an asylum in the 1860s? How did this shape your understanding of women's historical vulnerability?

3. Which scenes or moments in the book did you find most powerful or memorable? What made them stand out?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Elizabeth refused to compromise her beliefs even when faced with imprisonment and separation from her children. Have you ever had to stand up for your convictions at great personal cost? How did you handle it?

2. The book explores how Elizabeth maintained her dignity and sense of purpose despite degrading circumstances. How do you think you would respond if you were stripped of your basic rights and freedoms?