The Illness Lesson by Clare Beams
11/10/19 • 7 min
The Illness Lesson by Clare Beams
The Illness Lesson is quite different from the books I have been reading of late. However, I think I knew that going in. The story begins in 1871, and takes place at the farm owned by Samuel Hood.
Samuel is a philosopher/teacher. Along with his daughter, Caroline (who is a teacher) Samuel plans to create a school for young women to teach them in the same way as boys are taught. This plan to facilitate the intellects of young women seems a commendable endeavor, especially if we consider the historical time period in which the story takes place.
As a strange flock of red birds arrives at the farm, The Illness Lesson seems to morph into something like a transcendental journey. While Samuel views the unexpected birds as a good omen, Caroline is not so sure.
One by one, the young women begin to develop symptoms of unknown illnesses, and Caroline, although older than her students, also began to display symptoms of a mysterious illness.
SPOILER ALERT – Okay there are some spoiler’s in this Podcast. I have placed a very clear Spoiler Alert Warning in the podcast, so you will know when to stop listening if you don't want to hear spoilers. Then after you have read The Illness Lesson, you can come back and listen to the rest of the podcast.
I highly commend, author, Clare Beams for the Illness Lesson. In today’s “Me Too” society, women are finally standing up and speaking out. The Illness Lesson points out how social pressure, and/or social acceptance of abhorrent behavior, can cause victims to allow personal violations.
My hope is that the Illness Lesson will encourage more writers to write stories covering similar important "Me Too" issues. As women (and men), we want to be sure that everyone hears and understands as much as possible about this serious and criminal subject matter.
The Illness Lesson made me angry. I hope it makes you angry too. I suppose we need to get angry in order to stop the madness. So, while the Illness Lesson has made us angry, we must use our intelligence and our humanity to affect change and to be sure the guilty are punished according to the law.
Book Review Podcast by Book Club Reporter, Laura Jay
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
The Illness Lesson by Clare Beams
The Illness Lesson is quite different from the books I have been reading of late. However, I think I knew that going in. The story begins in 1871, and takes place at the farm owned by Samuel Hood.
Samuel is a philosopher/teacher. Along with his daughter, Caroline (who is a teacher) Samuel plans to create a school for young women to teach them in the same way as boys are taught. This plan to facilitate the intellects of young women seems a commendable endeavor, especially if we consider the historical time period in which the story takes place.
As a strange flock of red birds arrives at the farm, The Illness Lesson seems to morph into something like a transcendental journey. While Samuel views the unexpected birds as a good omen, Caroline is not so sure.
One by one, the young women begin to develop symptoms of unknown illnesses, and Caroline, although older than her students, also began to display symptoms of a mysterious illness.
SPOILER ALERT – Okay there are some spoiler’s in this Podcast. I have placed a very clear Spoiler Alert Warning in the podcast, so you will know when to stop listening if you don't want to hear spoilers. Then after you have read The Illness Lesson, you can come back and listen to the rest of the podcast.
I highly commend, author, Clare Beams for the Illness Lesson. In today’s “Me Too” society, women are finally standing up and speaking out. The Illness Lesson points out how social pressure, and/or social acceptance of abhorrent behavior, can cause victims to allow personal violations.
My hope is that the Illness Lesson will encourage more writers to write stories covering similar important "Me Too" issues. As women (and men), we want to be sure that everyone hears and understands as much as possible about this serious and criminal subject matter.
The Illness Lesson made me angry. I hope it makes you angry too. I suppose we need to get angry in order to stop the madness. So, while the Illness Lesson has made us angry, we must use our intelligence and our humanity to affect change and to be sure the guilty are punished according to the law.
Book Review Podcast by Book Club Reporter, Laura Jay
(Are you thinking about starting your own podcast? Check out Buzzsprout by clicking the link below)
Start for FREE
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Previous Episode
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Book Club Reporter Book Reviews is presented to you by me, Laura Jay. In this episode, present my book review of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, written by Gail Honeyman.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a poignant story of a thirty-year old woman. Eleanor lives a lonely life, works in a small office and is friendless. Although, we do not how it happened, one side Eleanor's face is badly scarred.
This story is heartrending and touching. At times it may you cry, yet at other times, it may make you laugh out loud. And if you have ever felt socially awkward, out of place or different from everyone else, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a great book to read.
Read the full book review and all my book reviews at BookClubReporter.com
I would like my readers and listeners to know, in Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman has written an insightful and touching story. I find myself at a loss for words, to express how much I have fallen in love with Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
Oh! If you think you've heard something about this book before, that's probably because Reese Witherspoon is reported to be one of the producers of the Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine feature film.
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Next Episode
Big Lies In A Small Town - Book Review Podcast
Diane Chamberlain is the gifted writer who brings us this compelling story in her latest novel, Big Lies in a Small Town. Ms. Chamberlain expertly intertwined the characters and the lives of two young women, Anna Dale and Morgan Christopher.
I truly enjoyed reading Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain. The mystery of why Morgan was chosen to restore Anna Dale’s 1940 mural was compelling enough for me to keep right on turning those pages. And I felt like I even learned some things about art restoration processes.
The racial aspect of the story and the divisive issues related to prejudice, including prejudice against women, are handled adeptly by the author and that all works to make Big Lies in a Small Town a must-read novel. And I very much appreciate how this original storyline, presented a solid depiction of not only racial prejudice issues, but of the prejudice against women and the "Me Too" movement as well.
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