I am using this book in the "Book From a Library Display" category of Extreme Book Nerd. Because I found it facing out on a shelf. I'm counting it since *I* wasn't the one who did it ;)

Charlotte Smith is a girl on a mission. Her sister, Phoebe, has been sent away to Goldengrove, a hospital for insane women. Charlotte believes that Phoebe is there against her will. Sure, she has had "outbursts" but nothing to warrant being committed. So Charlotte concocts a scheme.....she is going to get herself committed and get her sister out. What ensues is quite the story.

Mental health is a topic that is STILL stigmatized and it is the 21st Century. "Woman 99" takes place during the Gilded Age. Anything classified as mental health. For many, it was the word of a man that got a woman committed....or a doctor who could be bribed. As you might imagine, Charlotte is not the only character that is sane and yet in Goldengrove.

I thought of the 1950 movie "Caged"while reading this book. The conditions were TERRIBLE. The staff was terrible. There was more going on than what met the eye. There were also elements of "The Shawshank Redemption" too. I loved every character in the book--they all added something to the story. With each character you wondered if they were insane because of some issue....or was it due to what we now call anxiety? Depression? Postpartum? Many different types of "insanity" were talked about.

While the book has a "Hollywood"-esque ending, I do feel it opens the reader's eyes to a deeper problem. You see, even my family has a family member who was committed for a reason we have yet to determine. I want to know why. There are many other "Woman 99"'s out there. ( )

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from NetGallery to read and review! Greer has done it again! This book grabbed me from the beginning and never let go! Charlotte is a young lady, living the perfect dream life, or so it seems. Her sister is Institutionalized at Goldengrove Progressive Home for the Curable Insane in 1888. Reading the adventures of Nellie Bly, Charlotte gets herself thrown into Goldengrove with the intent to get her sister out. What she sees there horrifies her and she is determined that the world will know what goes on inside the asylum. Over the next 30 chapters is nothing short of twists and turns and heart drops in your stomach. I admire the determination of Charlotte and the friendships she makes along the way. Greer has a way of pulling you in and never letting you go and there are plenty of surprising twists within this book. In the end, justice is served and Charlotte finds her way in the best possible situation. ( )

Was just o.k. For me

I was surprised that I didn't enjoy it more as I really like this author and I have read other books with a similar subject. I found it slow in many parts and had to force myself to go back to it. I think part of the issue was I just couldn't connect with the main character. ( )

Woman 99 is an engaging story based on true events of the abuse patients experienced at mental asylums in the late 1800s. I found that this book was entertaining but some of it didn't seem plausible. If you are looking for a page turner this is definitely it but I had a harder time connecting with the main characters because of the believability factor.

I do appreciate that Macallister took on such an important and challenging part of US History because this helps promote awareness of the awful treatment that went on for more than a century for so many people.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to read an early copy of this historical fiction novel by Greer Macallister. WOMAN 99 is a great story, made even more interesting when I researched the historical figure of Nelly Bly after reading about her in this book. There is also a Lifetime Movie in the works based on this subject matter, I believe.

When Charlotte Smith's wealthy parents send her beloved sister, Phoebe, to a private asylum for women, she cannot accept the fact that her sister is insane. Going undercover as a patient herself at the same facility, Charlotte gradually comes to understand that some of the women really do need help, and others have been unfairly committed. But into which category does Phoebe belong?

The characters are distinct and well-developed, the settings in the novel are vivid, and the situations are immersive and quite often harrowing. The ending was very satisfying, always a big plus in my book (so to speak)! I will happily recommend this one to my historical fiction fans at the library. ( )