Wildthorn was inspired by a true story I came across in a book called Against Therapy by Jeffrey Masson. I learned that Hersilie Rouy, a nineteenth century French woman, was incarcerated in asylums for fifteen years despite the fact that she was sane. She was deprived of her true identity and the more she protested about this and about her treatment, the more this was taken as evidence of her insanity.
How terrible, I thought. And then, What must it have been like for her?
The injustice of what happened to Hersilie appealed to something deep in me and directly inspired my depiction of Louisa.
I’ve always been interested in and moved by stories of psychiatric patients, those who perhaps did need help, but often weren’t treated in helpful ways. My own mother was diagnosed as a ‘manic depressive’ as it was called then and spent years in and out of hospitals eventually lapsing into a state of depression.
I think part of my motivation in writing Wildthorn was to give voice to all those poor lost people down the years who couldn’t speak for themselves. I’ve tried to do this through the other inmates, especially Beatrice.
The asylum is a dark place and what Louisa experiences there is frightening. But despite the secret that threatens to undermine her confidence, she has courage. I hope you enjoy accompanying her on her journey as she struggles to face up to the truth about herself and at the same time tries to unravel the mystery that lies behind her imprisonment.
If you’d like to make a comment about the book, please do.
Reviews
“A bold and thrilling read”
Amanda Craig, The Times
“A thought-provoking and shocking story for teenagers and adults”
Lovereading
“A thrilling adventure in Victorian intrigue”
The Daily Mail
“Jane Eagland’s thrilling novel Wildthorn will have you reeling from the treachery and basking in the romance”
“I can’t recommend this book highly enough.”
“How I can properly describe the amazingness of this fantastic book.”
“Read this if you want an amazing story.”
“So dramatic and moving it brought me to tears.”
“The mystery of who sent Louisa to Wildthorn and why kept me racing through the pages of the book.”
21 Comments
I met Jane in September and bought Wildthorn for myself, and Whisper My name for my mother. I was beyond happy, I had not read a story in several years and this had me gripped for 7 hours, I could not put it down. Thoroughly enjoyable, yet hard hitting story. Excellent work. Highly recommended.
Thanks, Peter! I’m glad you enjoyed Wildthorn. And it was nice meeting you! Jane
Last summer, I was at the library looking for a good read. Wildthorn immediately caught my eye. A beautiful Victorian-esque cover (UK version, of course) and a peculiar title. I decided to read it, and I was amazed! Victorian novels are now my favourite. Jane’s style of writing is just entrancing. I am completely enamoured by it! Whisper My Name was even better! At the end, for some reason, I caught myself crying a bit, and I don’t cry reading stories. Ever. Anyway. Her books are amazing!
From, a 15 year old Canadian girl. :]
I happened to pick up “Wildthorn” at the local library in Gainesville. It was utterly amazing. You painted such an amazing story with your beautiful words and it was so heartwarming to see a story with not just a strong protagonist, but to also have her be a strong lesbian lead as well was just fantastic. I love how it doesn’t appear to be the main focus, though their love is what makes Louisa press on. It’s hard for me to express what makes this book so great without sounding cliche. I aspire to write books the way you do: meaning, I really want to write things that make me think, that tackle current issues and shed a positive light on them, and give others something good to find safety in.
Thank you so much for such an amazing novel. I’ll be writing a review on my book reviews blog soon. (:
I just finished Wildthorn, and loved it! Weeks makes a very convincing Nurse Ratched. It was very reminiscent of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (I have actually read the book not just watched the movie). I am recommending to this book to evry one of my friends!
Hello!
I’m currently reading -almost finishing- wildthorn and I love it!
If you are thinking: Why she is writing this?
I have your answer well,… I am Spanish -Barcelona- and I have the wish that a spanish publisher buy your book and translate it
because I think that Spanish people are losing a great book.
Kisses, from a girl from across the pond ;D
Thank you, Mireia. I too would be happy if a Spanish publisher bought my book! Jane
Your book is too amazing i really feel like I am Louisa, that does not happen often! I experienced many emotions but in the end it was love! Love for you writing this book love for me buying it! This book has impacted me soo much I feel like I should be a writer, just because of you. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece with me. Sincerely a 13 year old girl Lenice
Lenice, I’m so glad you enjoyed Wildthorn so much. If you decide to write yourself, I wish you all the best.
Wildthorn was a very enjoyable book to read, a story told very well. I find it amazing to think how intelligent women in those eras could possibly have stood not being able to be something better, to aspire to being a Doctor or any profession they have interest or aptitude in. I am happy to be born in an age where I can be the person I am, live openly and proudly with the person I love and be respected as the successful professional that I am.
Thanks for a great read Jane.
Julie-Anne
Yes, it was the injustice of it all that prompted me to write the book. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
A lovely and intelligent read I enjoyed this book very much. A friend gave me this book as a birthday present 3 years ago and I have re read it again and again it was such a good book.Eliza and louisa were well built characters that you felt you could connect with so much. I enjoyed it so much and so did my sister when i reccomended it to her
Katy, I’m delighted that you and your sister have enjoyed ‘Wildthorn’ so much. Thanks for letting me know.
I picked up wildthorn from my school library, and fell in love with it from the first page. I have nearly finished reading it, but when i do im going straight out and buying Whisper my name! i adored your book so much thank you for writing such an amazing book!
Will there be a sequel to wildthorn? i hope so!
Thanks for your lovely comment, Chloe. At the moment it doesn’t look as if there will be a sequel, but you never know! I hope you enjoy Whisper My Name as much.
I just happened to pick up Wildthorn because the cover caught my eye. All I can say is WOW. This book is amazing and so wonderfully written. Not only was it a page turner (I read the entire book without stopping from front to back because it was so good) with it’s suspense and mystery but I also had a few good laughs there in the beginning reading about young Lou and all her memories of experiements and times as a child. (I especially loved the part where she wanted to test the green stockings!) This book is clearly so thought out and really just amazing. I felt like I was right there with her seeing and experiencing everything with her. I loved every single second of it. I wish there were a million more books by you Jane!!
Jasmine, I’m delighted you enjoyed ‘Wildthorn’ so much. Thanks for letting me know!
I have read Wildthorn from beginning to end, and have enjoyed every word. However, I do feel that this book should not of been written as a TEEN book. Although the descriptive was written perfectly, I still think it may have been to intense for children from the age of 11. Being a mother of 3 boys, I feel like too much is being portrayed from the darker side of life and although this was based in the 18th century and things were quite different then, I still feel as if it is just too much from some of the chapters that I read. I am about to read Whisper my Name now. Both books were at my local Library in Newcastle/England.The cover caught my eye and as I read the back (which gives nothing away), I just had to have them. Reading some of the other comments above, I can see Teens have already read your books, and have enjoyed them just as much as me. I’m now beginning to think I may be living in the 18th century
Superb Book 10/10, but should of been in the Adult section.
Lamara Graham
Lamara, I’m glad you enjoyed Wildthorn. But I quite agree with you – I wrote it for older teens and adults and I usually suggest it’s more suitable for readers of 14 and over. You might find Whisper My Name for suitable for younger teens. Anyway, thanks for your score!
I finished Wildthorn just now. I was so disappointed I couldnt find a sequel. I was screaming “SHE LIKES U!!!!!!!!!!” halfway through the book and was sorely disappointed at Grace. She should have known that something was not right. I want to read more about things like this now. Im 14 and it was hard to read some of it, but I was reading adult novels when I was 10 because there was nothing else for me to read. The harsh reality of life. I hope you make a sequel, I want to see how things play out between her and Eliza.
Cant wait for that day
~Ambree
Ambree – it’s great that you would like a sequel. So far I’m afraid there are no plans for one, so I guess for now it’s up to you to imagine how life might turn out for Louisa and Eliza! I hope you find other books dealing with the things you want to read about.
One Trackback
[...] If you like mysteries, historical fiction, a touch of romance, and want a surprising ending (it was a shock to find out whose treachery sent her to Wildthorn!) give this book a try. Wildthorn by Jane Eagland is now available at the library. Also, check out the author’s website. [...]