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A Normal Boy: Living in an Asylum
Donald is a "normal boy", living with his family on a prairie farm near Weyburn, Saskatchewan during the "Dirty Thirties". When his father is tragically killed, Donald's mother decides to marry the hired hand, Frank, in order to save her farm. Frank hates children and gives Donald's mother an ultimatum that he will only agree to marry her if she gets rid of her four children. This ultimatum leads to Donald being placed in the Mental Hospital at age 9 where he struggles for many years dealing with horrific trauma, loneliness, abandonment and abuse. Normal children living in this asylum were a well-kept secret. This is the story of one such boy. This compelling novel is a human interest fiction inspired by true events.
343 pages, Hardcover
Published December 15, 2023
4 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 25, 2025
3.5⭐️ for the book. 2.5 ⭐️for the writing, storytelling and editing. 5⭐️ for the non-fiction & bringing this subject forward. Happy family. 3 daughters and 1 son living in rural SK near Weyburn. Father is killed in a farm accident and on the 30’s the farm wife, especially one with children, had no way to provide for her family. As many women did in those days, she married her hired man. But this marriage with its security came with conditions. She must get rid of her children. The 2 oldest were old enough to work at neighboring farms cooking or looking after cleaning. The youngest daughter went to live with her grandmother, who paid for her to continue attending school.
The son, Don, at the age of 8, was taken to “The Mental”, a facility built specifically for people with mental issues. (Saskatchewan Hospital, built 1921). His mother told him that he was going to summer camp where there will be boys to play with.
This book takes us through the 9 years Don lived as a normal boy, surrounded by mental health patients. The author then takes us into Dons life after he was released.
I found a couple of things very interesting.
1) It was the 30’s, the depression, the war. Children were simply dropped at facilities with parents hoping their child would be fed and offered a better life. At the same time, Canada was immigrating British Home Boys and finding work for them so they could have a place to live, eat and be safe. Why then, couldn’t we do it for our own?
2) Look at the concessions being made to Indigenous folk because colonials removed them from their land. But, dump kids at a mental institution, removing them from any form of security and what is their recompense? I don’t quite see the difference.
I hope more victims come forward. I’m disappointed to see the limited # of reviews. Donating my copy to the library.
The son, Don, at the age of 8, was taken to “The Mental”, a facility built specifically for people with mental issues. (Saskatchewan Hospital, built 1921). His mother told him that he was going to summer camp where there will be boys to play with.
This book takes us through the 9 years Don lived as a normal boy, surrounded by mental health patients. The author then takes us into Dons life after he was released.
I found a couple of things very interesting.
1) It was the 30’s, the depression, the war. Children were simply dropped at facilities with parents hoping their child would be fed and offered a better life. At the same time, Canada was immigrating British Home Boys and finding work for them so they could have a place to live, eat and be safe. Why then, couldn’t we do it for our own?
2) Look at the concessions being made to Indigenous folk because colonials removed them from their land. But, dump kids at a mental institution, removing them from any form of security and what is their recompense? I don’t quite see the difference.
I hope more victims come forward. I’m disappointed to see the limited # of reviews. Donating my copy to the library.
March 14, 2020
Moving Story
What a story! It's about a boy who gets left at an insane asylum by his mother when her new boyfriend doesn't want kids around. This child was abused by an adult patient his very first night there. He makes friends with two other children who were also dumped there. It's a great story about how people overcome traumatic events and flourish.
What a story! It's about a boy who gets left at an insane asylum by his mother when her new boyfriend doesn't want kids around. This child was abused by an adult patient his very first night there. He makes friends with two other children who were also dumped there. It's a great story about how people overcome traumatic events and flourish.
September 18, 2021
It turned my stomach to think that this actually happened. How could others have allowed this?? a very eye-opening read!
May 9, 2023
Great read hard to believe this happened back in the 1930’s. Broke my heart but great ending
July 2, 2023
4.5 rounded up.
This was a heart wrenching and beautiful story.
This was a heart wrenching and beautiful story.
Read
July 28, 2024DNF. Didn’t realize this was a novel, was expecting more non-fiction.
March 31, 2024
I am sharing a Review that was submitted on Amazon.ca by the following person named Dee.
Thank you 'D'
Jan Keating (author)
A Normal Boy: Living in an Asylum
‘D’ (Dee)…
5.0 out of 5 stars
What can happen behind closed doors...
Reviewed in Canada on March 3, 2024
I was intrigued with this book as I worked at Souris Valley Extended Care Hospital (SVECH) in the later part of the 60’s and early 70’s. I had no idea or no one ever spoke of this hospital even having children housed many years earlier!!!! It saddened me how some hospital staff could turn a blind eye to what was going on within their work environment. The relatives I could somewhat understand if one had a person in their care that was unmanageable but to place a normal child in this environment was unfathomable!!!
The story line authored by Jan Keating was very well told and easy to understand from beginning to end. Highly recommend anyone to give it a read.
Thank you 'D'
Jan Keating (author)
A Normal Boy: Living in an Asylum
‘D’ (Dee)…
5.0 out of 5 stars
What can happen behind closed doors...
Reviewed in Canada on March 3, 2024
I was intrigued with this book as I worked at Souris Valley Extended Care Hospital (SVECH) in the later part of the 60’s and early 70’s. I had no idea or no one ever spoke of this hospital even having children housed many years earlier!!!! It saddened me how some hospital staff could turn a blind eye to what was going on within their work environment. The relatives I could somewhat understand if one had a person in their care that was unmanageable but to place a normal child in this environment was unfathomable!!!
The story line authored by Jan Keating was very well told and easy to understand from beginning to end. Highly recommend anyone to give it a read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews