Women of Magdalene Brims with Repressed Sensuality

From his first words, Dr. Robert Mallory, narrator and newly appointed physician of The Magdalene Ladies Lunatic Asylum, grasps the reader’s fullest attention, and rarely does his grip loosen as the theme of Rosemary Poole-Carter’s fascinating historical novel, Women of Magdalene, unfolds.

The young doctor, influenced by an undisclosed personal tragedy and further damaged by years as a Civil War surgeon, takes charge of physical medicine at the asylum, but each time the physical complaints of a patient overlap her supposed psychiatric condition, his employer Dr. Kingston, family friend and self-proclaimed benefactor, refuses to share information. Nor will the hostile staff permit Robert access to certain parts of the facility, and it is not long before he begins to realize the asylum does not function as it should. It will be necessary to correct the situation. How this unfolds makes up the core of the story, which then resolves itself in as satisfying a way as could be hoped for.

Too often, great story is accompanied by mediocre writing. Not this time! By itself, the author's prose is worth the price of admission. The dialogue is lifelike, and the laconic, measured flow and exquisite organization of the narrative recreate the feel and mood of the deep south without even seeming to try. It's true that good writing makes the act of reading a pure pleasure, and here is the physical proof.

To sum up, Women of Magdalene offers an appealing message and does it with style and grace. I’m pleased to add my whole-hearted endorsement.

Art Tirrell is the author of the 2007 adventure novel, “The Secret Ever Keeps”, of which reviewer Jerrold C. said, “...Ice cream might taste better, but I doubt it.” See all Art's reviews at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1601640048