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I read most of this book while on a train from Siberia to Moscow, so be warned that it’s a long one!

This book begins in 1860, the year after Darwin wrote “The Evolution of Species”, and this sets up the novel very well in terms of period and subject matter. A huge, sprawling book which examines the evolution of psychiatry through our 2 doctors, who have entered the profession for vastly different reasons and broach their subject matter from different viewpoints. The evolution of modern psychiatry is examined by utilizing real life historical documents and Prof. Charcot’s lectures are particularly enthralling, making us imagine we are actually in Paris at the time of this great time of discovery. Various locations add to the grandeur of this book, Austria, England, France and California. You can see that the author has meticulously researched the subject, reading on after the ending proves this. Overall it gives a great insight into the beginnings of psychiatric study. Although the ending initially seems is slightly unfulfilling, somehow not living up to the epic nature of the preceding 800+ pages; it is one of those books you think about while you’re not reading it. This somehow makes it a lot more rewarding in the end. Highly recommended.

-Brian