Under Observation

Else Kant #1-2

by Amalie Skram

eng, Pages 433. Reprinted in 2013 with the help of original edition published long back. This book is in black & white, Hardcover, sewing binding for longer life with Matt laminated multi-Colour Dust Cover, Printed on high quality Paper, re-sized as per Current standards, professionally processed without changing its contents. As these are old books, there may be some pages which are blur or missing or black spots. If it is multi volume set, then it is only single volume. We expect that you will understand our compulsion in these books. We found this book important for the readers who want to know more about our old treasure so we brought it back to the shelves. (Customisation is possible). Hope you will like it and give your comments and suggestions.Original Samlede VA¦ Professor Hieronimus. Paa St. JA¸rgen [Hardcover] Amalie Skram

Genres: Fiction, Scandinavian Literature

369 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 1992

About the author

From Wikipedia.

Amalie Skram (22 August 1846 – 15 March 1905) was a Norwegian author and feminist who gave voice to a woman's point of view with her naturalist writing. She moved to Denmark in 1894 where she settled in Copenhagen with her husband, the Danish writer Erik Skram. She is considered the most important female writer of the Modern Breakthrough.

Reviews

[Andrew]

Retitle it "Norwegian girl, interrupted."

OK, that was a cheap joke. They're both personal asylum narratives, but unlike Girl, Interrupted, Under Observation isn't obnoxiously snarky or self-aggrandizing. And besides, Skram isn't insane, just nervous and terrified and desperate. Now, keep in mind it's a naturalist novel-- everyone is a victim, the world generally sucks-- which I like (word up to Balzac and Dreiser) but which many people won't.

[Sverre · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume contains Skram’s two asylum novels ‘Professor Hieronimus’ and ‘St. Jørgen’s’ published in the original Norwegian in 1895. They are semi-biographical. Skram used many of her experiences of her confinement to mental institutions, one in Norway, the other in Denmark, to provide the narrative and dialogues. It highlights the male-dominated hierarchical nature of mental institutions that existed at that time. The superintendent of the establishment made arbitrary decisions about each patient as to the nature of treatment and length of stay. His attitude about women’s role in marriage—being subservient to her husband, and to male authority—would often overshadow factual and unbiased elements in his diagnosis. A diagnosis of insanity could condemn a patient to virtual incarceration for life.

This is the story of the fictitious artist Else Kant’s experiences. Although sane and rational she was confined against her will due to a biased misdiagnosis by a highly educated and respected psychiatrist. It provides a startling description of how female mental patients were ‘treated’ and the interactions between nurses and patients as well as patient-to-patient relationships. It is a blunt and stern account of daily events and Mrs. Kant’s mental and emotional turmoil as if they had been diarized by her. The work has historical interest but makes for myself I found it to be rather depressing and inconsequential reading.

[Becky Mears · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now you wouldn't think reading about someone's incarceration in a Danish asylum in the late 19th century would be such a riveting read.....but it was! Based on the authors own experience of being incarcerated against her will I found this a fascinating insight. Once again I was horror struck by the view of mental illness at the time and also at the complete powerlessness of the psychiatric patient. A terrifying portrayal of the misuse of male power where just being a defiant woman is seen as some sort of illness

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danish Contemp Narrative:1890s Danish Mental Institutions-----------Woman artist held unjustly in an insane asylum

[Jamie Rosen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important book. A meaningful book. And a depressing book, especially the first half. By the end, it's not quite positive but it's... something.