In 1885 Paris, the Salpetriere asylum becomes a spectacle as Dr. Charcot captivates society with his hypnotism displays on women labeled mad or hysterical. These women are often merely inconvenient figures—unwanted wives, grieving mothers, or rebellious daughters. The highlight of the year is The Mad Women’s Ball, where the elite come to gawk at the patients, who, for one night, don finery and experience a fleeting sense of hope. Genevieve, a senior nurse, has turned to science after the death of her sister, rejecting religion and placing her faith in Dr. Charcot. However, her perspective shifts when she encounters Eugenie, a 19-year-old from a bourgeois family, confined in the asylum for claiming to see spirits. Inspired by the controversial work, The Book of Spirits, Genevieve becomes determined to help Eugenie escape the asylum and the constraints of their gender. Together, they embark on a quest for belief and freedom, challenging the societal norms that bind them. This poignant tale shines a light on the struggles of women in a repressive world, promising to resonate with readers and critics alike.
