Violet is a pillar of hospitality and compassion within her community. As a farmer’s wife and mother of a large brood, she is resolute, thrifty, and charming. The life that is woven between the land and her family is one of harmony and beauty. When she begins to struggle with depression, her demeanor changes. At first, the change is subtle, but it becomes increasingly problematic as Violet … Violet struggles with bouts of incapacitating depression and anxiety and visions of self-harm. A candle flame offers a way to feel, even if it is the pain of a burn. Her beloved creek becomes ominous as it beckons to her. Having no real understanding of what is happening within her, Violet turns to both the religious and medical communities for guidance. Both fail her. With her identity stripped away and her family reeling from the aftermath, Violet must determine if she can make peace with the changes within herself before she is consumed by them.
The Process of Fraying is a historical family drama that explores the social, religious, and medical stigmas surrounding mental health in the 1940s.
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Love that this book is based on real life everyday people. Jess does an awesome job of shedding light on the impact of misunderstanding and misplaced judgements of people.
An exquisitely written debut novel by Jess Neal Wood, The Process of Fraying holds a magnifying glass to the ignorance and misinformation surrounding the perception and treatment of mental illness in the early 1940s. Based on the life of Woods’ great grandmother, the book vividly describes Violet’s, heartbreaking descent into depression. In gut-wrenching detail, it depicts Violet’s downward spiral as she struggles to maintain her sanity, and the heart-pounding horrors she endures at the hands of so-called medical professionals. There is no denying that The Process of Fraying will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride, but it is such a well-written and important book that not only do I recommend it — I urge you to read it.
There are some books that you can sum up in a few words and that’s not because there isn’t a lot to say about the book. This is one of those books. I have spent days trying to find the words to say how I felt about this book and nothing seemed adequate.
Violet’s story left me emotionally gutted. That’s really all I can say without going into the story, that I don’t want to spoil for you. Suffice to say if you think there is a stigma around mental health issues today, it was much worse in the 1930s when this book is set.
As I read, I recalled conversations with my mother about a friend of hers that went through the electric shock treatment. I remember reading about Rosemary Kennedy and when lobotomy was brought up in the story, I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall.
My heart ached and broke into tiny shards while reading this book. I felt for Violet’s family and for her husband, Miles who was trying to do his best.
I grew angry at the way Violet was treated in the institutions, because I’ve read a lot about mental health and I know that though much has changed it took a long time for it to happen.
I wanted to gather Violet in my arms and remind her that she was loved.
Mostly I wanted to find Margaret and tar and feather that nasty piece of work that called herself a friend.
All I can say is that this book was simply amazing and one that should not be missed though it will take a piece of your heart with you.
It took some time to gather my thoughts after finishing The Process of Fraying last night in order to write this review. This is one of the most emotional books I’ve ever had the privilege to read. Seriously, I couldn’t even read the last few pages of the book through all of my tears.
Based on her great-grandmother’s life in Tenessee in the 1930s, the author has written a heartrending book that will captivate and enrage you, all at the same time. The “treatment” for depression back then was horrifying and barbaric. There were so many times I wanted to reach through the book and save Violet.
I’ve suffered from depression for as long as I can remember so this book was super emotional for me and I could easily relate to Violet. The author captured the absolute darkness you feel when you’re depressed perfectly and so much so that I got chill bumps while reading. The writing was beautiful. I think the author did a fabulous job of capturing her great-grandmother’s life.
I highly recommend The Process of Fraying, especially for those that have depression or knows someone that does. It’s an eye-opening look at mental illness and the stigma attached to it. An emotional but engrossing read.