
Let me start by saying this book wrecked me in the best possible way. The Second Life of Mirielle West isn't just historical fiction - it's an emotional time machine that transports you to 1920s Carville with such vivid detail, I could practically smell the antiseptic and feel the Louisiana humidity.
At first, I'll admit I wanted to throw the book across the room because of how insufferable Mirielle was. But Amanda Skenandore works magic - by page 50, I found myself reluctantly rooting for this spoiled socialite, and by the end, I was sobbing into my tea at 2 AM. That's character development done right.
The historical research here is impeccable. As someone who knew little about leprosy hospitals, I was shocked by the visceral details - from the mandatory fingerprinting of patients to the heartbreaking 'clean money' policies. Skenandore doesn't just describe Carville; she makes you live it. There's one scene where Mirielle examines her first skin lesion that gave me literal chills.
What surprised me most was how this became my ultimate 'rage read.' Not because it's bad - quite the opposite. The injustice of how patients were treated made me so angry I had to keep reading to see if they'd find justice. The supporting characters (especially nurse Frank) added such rich texture that I found myself googling real Carville residents afterward.
Fair warning: This isn't a light beach read. There were moments I had to set it down just to process - particularly a gut-punch scene involving a patient's wedding ring. But that's what makes it perfect for book clubs (mine spent two meetings debating it). The ending left me emotionally drained yet weirdly hopeful - though I know some readers wished for more closure.
Small gripe: My paperback started shedding pages like autumn leaves by midpoint (thanks Amazon quality control). But even that couldn't diminish this haunting story that's stayed with me weeks after finishing. If you're ready for historical fiction that punches you in the feels while teaching you something profound about human resilience, clear your schedule and dive in.
