Ten Days in a Mad-House: A Graphic Adaptation (Top 100 Books for Women)

by Nellie Bly

Brad Ricca, Courtney Sieh, and Nellie Bly (Idea)

AN EISNER AWARD NOMINEE
A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY “BEST NEW COMIC OF 2022 FOR ADULTS”

Beautifully adapted and rendered through piercing illustrations by acclaimed creators Brad Ricca and Courtney Sieh, Nellie Bly’s complete, true-to-life 19th-century investigation of Blackwell Asylum captures a groundbreaking moment in history and reveals a haunting and timely glimpse at the starting point for conversations on mental health.

“I said I could and I would. And I did.”

While working for Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper in 1887, Nellie Bly began an undercover investigation into the local Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell Island. Intent on seeing what life was like on the inside, Bly fooled trained physicians into thinking she was insane—a task too easily achieved—and had herself committed. In her ten days at the asylum, Bly witnessed horrifying conditions: the food was inedible, the women were forced into labor for the staff, the nurses and doctors were cruel or indifferent, and many of the women held there had no mental disorder of any kind.

Now adapted into graphic novel form by Brad​ Ricca and vividly rendered with beautiful and haunting illustrations by Courtney Sieh, Bly’s bold venture is given new life and meaning. Her fearless investigation into the living conditions at the Blackwell Asylum forever changed the field of journalism. A timely reminder to take notice of forgotten populations, Ten Days in a Mad-House warns us what happens when we look away.

• ISBN10: 1982140658
• ISBN13: 9781982140656
• Publish Date: 19 April 2022 (first published 1 January 2009)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 160
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Ten Days in a Mad-House is a harrowing and effective graphic novel adaptation of Nellie Bly's investigation and exposure of the inhumane and horrifying treatment of mental health patients in the late 19th century in America. Due out 19th April 2022 from Simon & Schuster on their Gallery 13 imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback/graphic novel and ebook formats.

The text is spare and linear and the story is told quite plainly which keeps the horror of the fates of thousands of patients, many of whom were absolutely not mentally ill, in sharp and unflinching focus throughout. I was left with a sense of profound sadness and anger as well as impressed with the bravery and dedication of Ms. Bly's original exposé.

The adaptation is written by Dr. Brad Ricca who does a masterful job turning the difficult source material into a cohesive whole. He allows us to view much of the distressing reality without peeling back the façade entirely and forcing readers to face the very worst of the depredations which undoubtedly occurred. For readers who are very sensitive, there are references to suicide, murder, sexual assault, and horrifying failure of care (including implied infanticide).

The art, by Courtney Sieh, is crisp and direct and suits the story very well. Stylistically it's mostly in panels with occasional full page frames. The text is spare and the story is told through the pen and ink line drawings. Although the subject matter is distressing, the pictures aren't graphic at all.

It's an important story and the original reporting and exposé by Nellie Bly eventually resulted in sweeping changes in the care and oversight of vulnerable patients in a lot of ways. It was bravely done and I found the graphic novel enlightening.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.