Blue Asylum

By Kathy Hepinstall

Book Overview

"A first-rate choice for fans of intelligent historical romances."--Library Journal, starred review Amid the mayhem of the Civil War, Iris Dunleavy is put on trial by her husband, convicted of madness, and sent to Sanibel Asylum to be restored to a compliant Virginia plantation wife. But her husband is the true criminal; she is no lunatic, only guilty of disagreeing on notions of cruelty and property.On this remote Florida island, Iris meets a wonderful collection of inmates in various states of sanity, including Ambrose Weller, a Confederate soldier haunted by war, whose dark eyes beckon to her. Can love in such a place be real? Can they escape, and will the war have left any way--any place--for them to make a life together?
"An absorbing story that explores both the rewards and perils of love, pride, and sanity."--Publishers Weekly"With Blue Asylum, Hepinstall presents the reader with the rare and delicious quandary of whether to race through and find out what happens to her characters or to linger over her vivid, beautifully crafted sentences. For me, the only resolution was to read it twice." --Hillary Jordan, author of Mudbound and When She Woke"A gripping story of love and madness in the midst of the Civil War--I couldn't put it down "--Kathleen Grissom, author of The Kitchen House

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0544002229
• ISBN13: 9780544002227
• Release Date: April 2013
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Blue Asylum is very interesting

Many years ago, it was easy to do away with women by saying they were insane because divorce was frowned upon. I found this novel a page turner and hard to put down. I worked in Mental Health for 25 years and heard from women that were institutionalized because husband’s wanted another woman, fear of being put back in because of electric shock treatment. A very good read.

Unusual read

I really had a hard time finishing this book. It was depressing although parts of it kept me curious enough to keep reading. Generally I am a fast reader but this one was not the case.

Depressing

I have read many books of life during the Civil War that are realistic yet in ways were uplifting. I found this book to be depressing in all ways, not only regarding life in the asylum.

Surprisingly good read

I read this book quickly It draws the reader in. Good story, good pace, keeps the reader interested in the characters I would recommend this book. One of my favorites this year. This is a period piece.