During the holocaust, Jews suffered many indignities. While we all know about the gas chambers, it never occurred to me to wonder what happened to the mentally ill Jews that would have existed during this time. In Where Madness Lies, Sylvie True describes what happened with her own family and it was horrifying. This story is split into two time periods. It 1934, I got to read about Rigmor, a Jew woman in the throes of depression with psychosis. Her sister, Inga and mother, Frieda are trying to stop her from being exterminated in the eugenics program along with a family friend, Arnold. In 1984, Inga's granddaughter, Sabine, is afflicted with the same mental illness and is checked into a psychiatric hospital much to Inga's distress.

This was a very emotional read. However, there were so many beautiful moments within the horror that was Nazi Germany. I loved how protective Inga was of Rigmor. No matter what happened, Inga was determined that Rigmor would come to no harm. As flighty as Inga was at times, she had an inner strength which shone through in this book.

My favorite characters were the sisters. Their different personalities did not clash as is normally the case with siblings. Rather, their differences helped them exist in perfect harmony with their mother being the only thorn between them. However, even though Frieda was sometimes seen as cold and distant, I sensed that a deep love for her two children combined with her worry about Rigmor caused her to be that way. I also loved the development of the relationship between Sabine and Inga along with the growth Sabine experienced throughout this book.

I loved this author's style of writing and would definitely try another book by her.

Due to very disturbing scenes, this book should be read by adults. There are some triggers within this book such as child abuse and abuse of mentally ill patients.

The Nazis extermination of between 275,000-300,000 disabled and mentally ill people is a subject largely overlooked by society, and I’ve never before seen it as a subject for historical fiction. I only knew because it formed part of my degree dissertation on literature and disability. I’m really pleased to see someone bring it to light in this way. We follow three generations of a family, linked by Inga who survived WW2 to pass on family history to her daughter Sabine. In one timeline we see Sabine struggle with depression and an anxiety disorder, to such an extent she voluntary agrees to treatment in hospital. Only too late, realising this will mean giving up her baby as she can’t go with her into the institution. These events take Inga back to Germany when her sister Rigmor, was also struggling with her mental health. She becomes a patient at Sonnenstein, a progressive treatment facility, to get well. However, Inge becomes swept up in the rise of eugenics and ideas of regression, popular within the Nazi party. Inga desperately tries to save her. Years later, Inga must now fight for her granddaughter.
I truly enjoyed that, although this is a serious subject, there is hope underlying Sabine’s quest. I could tell how close the writer was to this story - part of her own family history. Underlying the story are interesting questions about mental health and it’s prevalence in some families, whether this it learned or is there a genetic aspect? How we sometimes need to excavate the past in order to understand the present. The reader has to confront deep ethical questions about following orders or being complicit. Despite these tough subjects, the book is beautifully written and very accessible. I will be writing a fuller review for my blog soon.

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the traveling eugenics exhibit that was displayed at my local science museum. Up until that time, I had not read much about eugenics in regards to the United States and Germany. To say I was shocked by the horrific details presented would be an understatement. When I read the synopsis of “Where Madness Lies” I knew I had to read it. This dual timeline story shaped from the author’s own family history takes place in 1934 and 1984. In 1984, we follow Sabine who is being admitted to a mental facility following the birth of her daughter. In 1934, we follow Frieda and her daughters Inga and Rigmore. Rigmore suffers from an unknown mental illness and Inga and Frieda will do anything to see that she is taken care of even going so far as to having her admitted to psychiatric institution known as Sonnenstein. Back in 1984, we find out that Sabine is Inga’s granddaughter and Inga feels she must help her in anyway that she can and not allow the past to be repeated. This chilling and heartbreaking story details atrocities that were perpetrated on the mentally ill all for the sake of a great race. I was moved to tears numerous times while reading this book. I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in historical fiction and eugenics as I have not seen many fiction books focus on this topic before. As a World War II historical fiction fanatic, I wholeheartedly give this book 5 stars and it will be on my Best List of 2021.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishing house, Top Hat Books, for providing an advanced e-copy for review. All thoughts and opinions written in this review are my own.

This was a fascinating novel. Highly recommended for fans of the genre. Will be recommending the book for purchase.

This book was a difficult read during the pandemic. The premise was great but I was staring and stopping, which may have led to my overall "fine" review. I will try and read again at another time.

Sylvia True draws on her own family history to explore the events surrounding mental health diagnosis and treatment in Germany in the years immediately preceding and at the beginning of World War 2. Because historical fiction has been so heavily inundated with World War 2 novels recently (including a Pulitzer winner just a handful of years ago), the plot line is fairly easy to predict. True attempts to add a unique angle with the addition of future generations of the family at the center of the story and moves back and forth between hospitals in the 1930s and 1980s. Unfortunately, the technique of multiple narrators and/or multiple time frames is also very much in vogue, so it doesn’t do much to set apart True’s offering. The book is interesting enough, but lacks much depth or nuance. There are certainly sympathetic moments and characters who draw a reader in to some episodes. However, the technique of leaving a story line to move to the other time period breaks off any momentum that has built. The conclusion is predictable and ineffective, at best. Overall, this one is adequate with strengths and weaknesses, but nothing exceptional.

Thank you to Sylvia True, Top Hat Books, and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

This is a book about sibling love and mental illness both in Germany and in the eighties in America. This is the story of 2 sisters Inga ,Rigmour their overbearing mother and granddaughter Sabine. Rigmour suffers from mental illness and her sister and mother will do anything to make her well again , so with help from their psychiatrist friend Arnold Rigmour voluntarily enters a private psychiatric clinic with deadly consequences. This is also the story of eugenics and forced sterilization of people with mental illness in Nazi Germany. There is also a family secret which involves Sabine ‘s own history of mental illness and her grandmother Inga’s mission to save her granddaughter from Rigmour’s fate.. This book is a well written story of love and hope for the two sisters in a hopeless horrific situation and eventually redemption. 5 stars

Sabine has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Boston suffering from depression, she finds the world hard and harder living without her baby Mia who is not allowed to stay with her in the hospital.

Rigmor has been admitted to a sanitarium in Germany just before the start of world war 2.

Inga is Rigmors sister and Sabines grandmother, the story is told of both the patients and Inga, a good book.

A tender, raw and poignant story regarding mental health, eugenics and the unfolding of the terrible consequences of this in Germany (& other areas) during the second world war, and the correlation to more modern understandings of psychology and mental illness.
The ripples felt through several generations from the 1930s through to the 1980s of one family and the consequences of actions taken and secrets held, is very carefully and intricately told through the perspectives of Inga, her granddaughter Sabine and a doctor /family friend called Arnold.
If you are not already aware of the Nazi eugenics campaign against those who had mental illness or disabilities this is a story based very much on true events well documented from this era and also based on the author's own family history.
It is heartbreaking, terrifying and a clear warning of how these kinds of terrible events and beliefs rise in a society, not through some sudden force but slowly seeping in as prejudice, propaganda and pseudoscience convincingly masquerades as a saviour for humanity.
The trauma and guilt from her past comes back to haunt Inga as she sees her granddaughter struggling with a familiar illness and she becomes determined to step in and make things right, but along the way inevitably her own secrets are revealed.

Whenever you pick a book covering this type of topic you know it is not going to be a light read, but this one, very eloquently covers mental illness, the early stages of Hitler’s brutal plan for the perfect race, and how a family lives with their secrets. The author does it all, very very well.
I came to love Inga, she was a force in her own right, Rigmor, Arnold, Agnes and of course Sabine, they each had their struggles but they loved each other and their devotion was remarkable, especially Arnold and Rigmor. We go back and forth between the 1930’s and 1985. The description of both time periods was done so well, you could picture the inside of the institutions, and you could feel how the mental illness affected them.
Not only is this a personal family saga it is also a great representation of the Nazi’s process of eliminating the mentally ill, legalizing sterilization and manipulating everyone to cover it up. I am still aghast during this time period that we had so much evidence but didn’t want to believe and chose to ignore it was really going on.
The ending was absolutely remarkable. I gave a big sigh when it was over and could see Inga smiling. This book may not be for everyone, but it certainly was for me an awesome read. Thank you.
I was given the opportunity to read an ARC from John Hunt Publishing/Top Hat Books and NetGalley for my honest unbiased review. I give this one 5 stars.

I'm pretty sure I enjoyed this book. There were aspects I liked and others I didn't enjoy. I enjoyed the different viewpoints of WW2 and I actually learned quite a bit about mental health patients and the absolute devastating events they went through during this terrifying time in history. I enjoyed the relationships that were built in this novel as well as the story progression. I didn't enjoy the writing- at times the writing was easy to follow and easy to read and others I was skimming, bored and waiting for the story to progress at a quicker pace. Overall, I liked this novel, but I didn't love it. I'm glad I read it, but I'm not out recommending it to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Historical fiction based on WWII is very popular but this book is unlike any historical fiction I have read before. The subject of mental illness during this time period is very fascinating and definitely eye-opening. Sylvia True writes so well and the jumping between time periods really worked for this book.

The generational gap stories always hold my attention because they tie the past with the present (even if the present isn't TODAY's time, it's still a present timeline. Tying the past/present in a generational time gap both shows differences in the times, but also similarities between the times and its characters in both. Truly a wonderful read.

Boy this is a tough read and not for the faint hearted. I had to have a couple of goes at reading it and found it hard going but that is not to say that it is not an important subject or one to avoid if you would like a challenge. Mixing the subjects of mental illness over the changing ideas of different generations with that of the Nazi regime will always result in a difficult task, both for the writer and reader.

Let me start by saying I am not a fan of historical fiction but I found myself entranced by this book. I struggle with mental health issues and the way the subject was delicately handled by the author was a breath of fresh air, especially in a book that presented how individuals with mental health issues were so horribly treated in the past.

The main characters are likable and easy to relate to - my favorites being Sabine and Inga. I don’t often cry when reading books but I felt such a connection to these characters I found myself emotional at times.

Switching between time periods worked extremely well - the author did this flawlessly. The atmosphere and settings were beautifully and sometimes disturbingly described. I felt like I was there with the characters and I will miss them. I was touched by this book and shown that true love can conquer brutal hatred from outside forces and even quiet inner demons. Thank you to Sylvia True for sharing a bit of your wonderfully beautiful family with us.

Thank you to Sylvia True, John Hunt Publishing Ltd, and #NetGallery for an ARC of #WhereMadnessLies in exchange for an honest review. Review will be shared on NetGallery, Goodreads, and Facebook.

It is the year 1934 in Germany. Inga’s sister Rigmor is suffering from depression and psychosis. It’s a time in which people suffering from mental illnesses are frowned upon. Inga and her mother Frieda have tried several doctors and treatments, but to no avail. Then Inga comes up with a new plan. They have to find Rigmor a friend, someone she can talk to and perhaps even fall in love with. Inga chooses psychiatrist Arnold for this. Hesitant at first he accepts and gets involved in Rigmors life, leading up to her being institutionalized at Sonnenstein Castle in Pirna. Will Rigmor be okay?

Then it is 1984. Inga flies to the United States after hearing that her granddaughter Sabine has been admitted to a mental hospital. Sabine is also suffering from depression and psychosis. Inga desperately wants to help her granddaughter and make sure that she escapes the fate that her sister Rigmor had to endure. Even if it means bringing back tormenting memories. At the hospital she meets her greatgranddaughter Mia. Will Sabine be able to hold on to Mia?

This is the gripping story told by Sylvia True in Where Madness Lies. I was entranced by it from the beginning to the end. The incredible sadness of it all, but still leading to that hopeful ending.

A story packed with lessons from history. Did you know that Sonnenstein Castle actually served as one of the extermination centres during World War 2? The castle was used as a home for patients suffering from mental illnesses since 1811. In 1940 a gas chamber and crematorium were installed, which we used until the end of 1942. Up to 15.000 people were killed there. Where Madness Lies starts a little before that. At the point their were ‘only’ sterilizing their patients. ‘Only’. As if that is not horrible enough.

In my review of Christina Dalcher’s Master Class I already mentioned Where Madness Lies and the uncanny similarities between these stories. Master Class was recommended to me, but Where Madness Lies I picked myself a couple of months ago and then I forgot about it. So it came quite as a surprise to find myself reading two novels one after the other about repression and sterilisation in Germany and the United States.

This is a book everyone needs to read to get a better understanding of people suffering from depression. The combination of the historical point of view and the more recent developments give a great insight in what those people go through. It doesn’t only show the symptoms of their mental illness, but it also paints a clear picture of the distrust and scepticism other people show towards their illness. Trust me, it has been like that and it still is.

There were parts of this book that I enjoyed a lot.
Historical novels, especially around this time period hold huge appeal for me and I also like learning and reading about mental health.
So, going into this book I had high expectations , especially when I kept seeing good reviews about it.
Yet, when it cam down to it, there were also a lot of parts I didn't enjoy and I found my attention drifting in a way it usually wouldn't with a historical book.
For me, this book ended up being just OK.

I’ve read a lot of historical books about World War 2 but nothing quite like this before. This book looks at mental health and the way people with any sort of differences were viewed by the Nazi Party. It is quite an eye opener and a stark reminder to us all how easily things can change as policies were put in place during the 1930s without much notice from the wider population or the outside World.. Reading this book you also get an insight into the wider impact that living with mental health problems has on the whole family both in terms of how it effects everyone’s lives and also how it influences future generations genetically. This book is a really good and interesting read made even more amazing by the fact that it is based on the author’s very own family story. Whilst the subject matter is quite difficult to read about the author has managed to write about it in a really sensitive and accessible way.

Rigmor is a young Jewish women living as a patient in a top psychiatric facility in Germany in the 1930s who finds herself swept up in the Nazi campaign to rid Germany of the mentally ill. In the USA in 1984 Sabine commits herself to hospital following several episodes of depression and crippling panic. Linking these two women is Inga who does everything she can to help her sister and now finds herself in a position to help her granddaughter too.

Excellent read from Sylvia True, a tough subject I’m drawn to. the holocaust and mental health. A comparison between Rigmor a woman of Jewish descent and jumping forward to 1984 and a descendant admitted to a psychiatric institution with anxiety and depression. Rigmor’s sister Inga is the strong character holding them both together, trying to protect them both from being stigmatised and with Rigmor from the primitive psychiatric treatments and the rising Nazi power with their discriminations against those who are “undesirable”. A novel built on confidence and a cheerfulness that will prevail the horrors of the war and the separation of a mother and child.

Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review,

Book: Where Madness Lies
Author: Sylvia True
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Top Hat Books, for providing me an ARC.

I normally am not a fan of books told in two different time periods with different characters. However, this one did leave me very interested. I found the parallels between the two main characters to be very interesting and very engaging. I also thought it was a nice touch that the two women were related and that everything did come together in the end. To me, this is a the mark of a well planned out and well thought out story. To have everything come together in a way that makes sense just shows me what type of author Sylvia is.

I found the women’s stories to be very interesting. The first one takes place in Nazi Germany, which we all know from history is not the nicest place in the world. However, by allowing us to see the horrors first hand through the characters, we get a sense of what the Nazi rule was really like. We get to see the sickening nature and the horrors that people had to go through. The things that this book talks about are very dark and disturbing. The most disturbing part of it all is that this did actually happen to people. I know these characters aren’t real and all, but they are based on real people and this story is based on real events. Whenever you look at it like that, it adds an even darker look at the book. It just brings it home and makes you really stop and think about just how cruel history can be.

Then, we get another woman going through mental illness in the 1980s. The differences and the similarities as the 1940s are kind of shocking. We still see that kind of frowned upon nature and the lack of support, but, at least, in the 1980s, she isn’t facing death or anything like that. Just to see how people are trying to have a normal life with mental illness but lacking the support and the talk of society is just hard. I know we are a little bit more open about mental illness today, but a lot of this still holds true. The 1980s timeline still features a lot of negative ways that society views mentally ill people. We get to see this woman deal with people not thinking she can take care of herself, her baby, her husband threatening to take everything away her, and so much more. We get to see her internal struggle as she deals with coming to terms with her own mental illness and the lack of support that she has. This all exists today and it’s so sad that people still have to go through with this.

The fact that Sylvia was able to get this much out of me just tells me what kind of an author she is. I could tell that this is something very close to her and that she spent a lot of time and thought into researching this book. I’m not saying this just because the publisher sent me an ARC. I mean what I say. I loved how this book made me feel-even though it wasn’t all good. This is what I want from my books. I want feel something from what I am reading-if it is horror. Congrats on making me feel something!
Anyway, I highly recommend that you check this book out and other books by this publisher. I have been working with them over well over two years now and I have not been disappointed by anything that they have put out.

This book comes out on February 1, 2021.

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