The Salpêtrière asylum, 1885. All of Paris is in thrall to Doctor Charcot and his displays of
hypnotism on women who have been deemed mad or hysterical, outcasts from society. But the truth is
much more complicated — for these women are often simply inconvenient, unwanted wives or
strong-willed daughters. Once a year a grand ball is held at the hospital. For the Parisian elite,
the Mad Women's Ball is the highlight of the social season; for the women themselves, it is a rare
moment of hope.
This week's book is The Mad Woman’s Ball by Victoria Mas and we'll be meeting at Ye Olde Cocke on Wilmslow Road in Didsbury — contact us for details.