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Nineteen-year-old Annie finds herself incarcerated in the Kew Lunatic Asylum in 1894, her memories shrouded in a fog of confusion.
She finds an unlikely ally in the Matron of the asylum who is determined to help her break free from her nightmarish reality. As Annie's journey to rediscover herself intertwines with the Matron's fight for justice, they must confront the darkness of a society that silences and oppresses women.
But in the depths of her despair, will the man she loves be there to support her?
Breaking Free, is an emotional and powerful historical fiction novel which exposes the abuses and mistreatment that were all too common in mental institutions in the late 1800s.
Breaking Free is inspired by my Great Grandmother. She spent 8 months in Kew Lunatic Asylum when she was only 19. This photo was taken on her wedding day four years later
Clara’s Introduction
This video was made with the help of generative AI in the My Heritage website with the Deep Stories function.
Reviews
Thank you Pauline for gifting us a copy to read and review.
Breaking Free is a honourable, heart wrenching and inspiring historical fiction set in the eerie Kew Lunatic Asylum.
A story of one woman’s determination, violation, persecution and honesty about the abuse that was far too common and frequent in mental institutions in the 1800’s.
Annie is nineteen years old, falling in love and dreams of more than helping her family with everyday life.
One day, due to confusion, Annie ends up caged in the Kew Lunatic Asylum.
Survival is difficult but she ends up forming a bond with the kind Matron Lansdowne.
Fighting for justice, being courageous and making friends, Annie endures the best way she can.
Will Annie be able to bear to be behind locked doors and just exist until she can leave and eventually return to society……
I really enjoyed reading Annie’s story that contains a sensitive subject matter that has been written with compassion and respect.
The times that are discussed throughout is important to highlight as these women should not have gone through this heartache, fear and degradation.
I love an engaging historical fiction narrative and one that’s based on fact mixed with fiction is even more rewarding.
A fine example of a meaningful and interesting storytelling and one that will have you wanting more.
Craig/Phil
Happy Valley-Books read
What an interesting read Breaking Free is. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is hard to imagine that women had to put up with such treatment in the late 1880s/1890s. So sad, really.
Interesting reading how the ladies in the asylum got together and formed friendships. Thank goodness for the women who formed together to get things changed.
Loved the story of Annie and her trials and tribulations, but she conquered them in the end. Great that she got back with Edmund and they got married.
A great enthralling read, kept me glued to it the whole thing.
Glenice Gregory
This is Pauline's 2nd book , and it was not just the stunning front cover that made it " a can't stop reading " book but also the whole story line . Brilliantly written depicting emotion , despair , love , friendship , abuse and mistreatment to the main character Annie , growing up in the late 1800's.
Annie was just 19 years old when she was admitted to Kew Lunatic asylum away from her family . Her family and religion were the main reasons this occurred. Luck along the way helped this determined young woman to be reunited with those she loved and trusted .
A must read for everyone .
How sad that history shows these Asylums still operated in Australia until they were closed between 1980's & 1990's .
Jude Dhosi