The Mad Woman’s Ball — Victoria Mas

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.

This week's book will not in fact be The Madwomen's Ball but in fact Mr Loverman which we were going to read on 29.05.25, and to which date other parts of this site cleave to, but are in fact going to read now.

The Three Body Problem — Liu Cixin

It was impossible to expect a moral awakening from humankind itself, just like it was impossible to expect humans to lift off the earth by pulling up on their own hair. To achieve moral awakening required a force outside the human race.

This week's book is The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin and we'll be meeting at Ye Olde Cocke on Wilmslow Road in Didsbury — contact us for details.