Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) - reviewed on 3/4/2021 + 609 more book reviews

Truth is often stranger than fiction, and such is the history that inspired The Purple Nightgown by A.D. Lawrence. This true-crime-inspired novel is based on the life of Linda Hazzard, nicknamed the Starvation Doctor.

In the early 1900s she promoted extreme fasting as a cure for a wide range of painful physical ailments even though she had no medical degree. She documented her unorthodox treatments in books that she heavily advertised and created a "sanitarium" in rural Washington State where they were administered.

While isolated from family and friends, Ms. Hazzard's patients were subjected to severe fasting, hours-long "internal baths" (extreme enemas), and "massages" that were actual violent beatings. When patients were no longer able to think properly due to physical abuse, they were pressured to sign documents giving Hazzard control over their health decisions and financial assets. During her "career" nearly 20 deaths were attributed to Linda Hazzard and her cruel practices.

These events are more powerful when fictionalized because I could empathize with main character Marvel who suffers from debilitating migraines, and begin to understand the motivation of actual patients in pursuit of relief via drastic treatments. Since this is a Christian fiction title, I appreciated the themes of faith and hope woven into this dark and ominous plot. There's even a romance subplot that was sweet and had me cheering on hero Henry but concluded too "happily ever after" to be believable for the time period.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. I commend Barbour for continuing to push the envelope in Christian fiction by publishing these historical novels based on true crimes.

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