The Better Part of Worse: A Novel of Hope

by Denise-Marie Martin

The Better Part of Worse is a gripping family saga that explores the meaning of family, the devastation of mental illness, the resilience of love, and the enduring hope that survives even the most overwhelming challenges. Set against the backdrop of the 20th century’s most tumultuous decades, the story follows Jamie Murphy, a former seminarian turned family man, as he grapples with his wife Katie’s mental illness in the late 1920s. For three decades, Jamie and his daughters hold on to the faint hope of Katie’s recovery.

Katie’s journey sheds light on the harsh realities of mental health care and the restrictive social norms of the time. It also highlights the groundbreaking impact of the first antipsychotic medications, such as Thorazine, which offered new hope for treating severe mental illness.

An unforgettable love story marked by human brokenness and powerful redemption, the novel bears witness to God’s miraculous ability to bring light out of the darkest circumstances.

⭐“An affecting, decades-spanning tale of love and mental illness.” — Kirkus Reviews

⭐“Martin keeps the pace humming with heart-breaking plot twists and resonant emotional moments, transforming the narrative into a powerful rendering of the ‘true meaning of love.’” — BookLife Reviews

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2025

About the author

Denise-Marie Martin is a retired research scientist, wife, mother, and grandmother. Active in her faith community, she writes about God’s relentless pursuit of humanity amidst their brokenness. She and her husband reside in the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This was so interesting to me, as a nurse, to see the changes in mental health in the last 100 years. Honestly, that part of the book was fascinating. It was a heavy/difficult read at times, and it’s hard to say I enjoyed it, but I was satisfied by the ending.

Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Madeline Starr
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Historical
Length: 10h 34m

[Greg Foxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently, I was perusing a list of popular, best-selling books from 2024 and into 2025. One of the things that struck me is the rise in popularity these past twenty years of fantasy and science-fiction novels. Don't get me wrong. I love well-written fantasy and science fiction novels. J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov and many others are giants of those genres who have made lasting, significant contributions to literature. Several years ago I read a poster that announced: "Don't bore me with reality; instead, give me a good fantasy to keep me happy!" Good fantasy and science fiction always hearken back to illuminating, enlightening and providing insight into the lived, experienced human condition...in REALITY. Ms. Martin's new novel especially delivers in those areas.

Though in the different genre of historical romance, Denise-Marie Martin has the clear-eyed vision and single-minded pursuit of something frequently overlooked today in popular fantasy and science-fiction(indeed, even in historical romance, too)---the truth. There's something in her novel that is so refreshing and vital, like air, that doesn't preoccupy itself with elaborate, created and contrived complexities and convolutions in character and plot that gather momentum and then... disappear down rabbit holes.

Instead she begins with a simple, straight-forward story that has a distinctive, clarion-ring of truth and plausibility. The story has tortuous, twists and turns to it but never disappears down fantasy rabbit-holes. Instead it journeys along in the realm of the lived experiences of the believable characters in their sins and weaknesses as well as in their talents and strengths---all mixed-up and messed-up trying to make sense of life and their place in it. In spite of tragedies, setbacks and heartaches, Ms. Martin, in her skillful character development and plot, demonstrates a profound, clear as blue sky truth: God writes straight with crooked lines. No sin, sadness or tragedy is outside of God's forgiveness and unconditional love. And that's no fantasy.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to take a deep breath before I even begin—The Better Part of Worse wrecked me in the most tender, soul-deep kind of way. I went into this book expecting a quiet historical drama, and what I got was a sweeping, decades-long portrait of a family held together by faith, heartbreak, and the kind of love that doesn’t come with guarantees—but shows up anyway, again and again.
Jamie Murphy is the kind of character who quietly crawls under your skin. A man who once imagined a life in the priesthood, he ends up on a very different path as husband and father. And when his wife Katie begins her slow descent into mental illness, Jamie’s faith and resolve are tested in ways that feel devastatingly real. There’s no glamour in this love story—it’s raw, it’s painful, and it’s saturated with all the helplessness, fear, and tiny flickers of hope that come with loving someone who is slowly slipping away from you.
I connected so deeply with the theme of clinging to hope—not blind hope, but the kind that feels foolish and necessary all at once. Jamie and his daughters don’t just endure Katie’s illness—they fight for her. Even when the world tells them it’s hopeless. Even when the decades pile up. That kind of loyalty? That stubborn, aching hope? It gutted me.
Katie’s story is just as powerful. It’s not told with pity, but with a fierce, compassionate honesty that doesn’t shy away from the realities of what women—especially wives and mothers—faced when they couldn’t fit the mold society demanded. The depiction of mental health treatment in the early 20th century is painful, but so important. When Thorazine enters the picture, I felt this rush of cautious hope right alongside the characters. It wasn’t just a drug—it was a lifeline.
This novel made me cry. But more than that, it made me feel seen in the quiet, messy places we don’t always talk about—grief that doesn’t go away, love that stretches beyond reason, and faith that’s held together by frayed threads. Denise-Marie Martin doesn’t offer easy answers, but she gives us something better: grace. And the reminder that even when things are at their absolute worst, healing can still bloom.
If you’ve ever loved someone through their darkest season, or wondered what it means to keep going when life turns out nothing like you imagined, The Better Part of Worse will meet you where you are—and it just might leave a light on.

[Yolanda Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a slow read and initially I thought it would be difficult to plow through and finish. However, the pace of the story really picked up midway through. It is a very sad tale (fiction) about how mental illness was addressed prior to managed, compassionate care. I know that those struggling with mental illness often do not receive proper care or have access to medical supports or pharmaceuticals for management. And even when all of that is in place and readily available, the nature of many illnesses leads the afflicted to believe they can manage without it. Unfortunately, cures do not exist in most cases and a lifetime regimen of medication is necessary to treat patients. Terrifying and heartbreaking.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written historical fiction novel of the effects of a mental health crisis in one family. Woven through the story are actual facts on the history of mental illness, institutions and research, with an appendix of such in the author's comments at the conclusion. A bookclub readers guide is included.
The characters are well written and one feels with them and caring for each is easy. The story has a Christian base, but does not come off as, "preachy".
Thank you to the author and goodreads giveaway for the ebook copy in exchange for this unbiased opinion.

[Kristen LeHew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tigger warning - mental health struggles and rape

[Lora Offer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't typically choose to read books that have no reviews attached to them. However, the premise of this recently published book so captured my interest that I had to give it a try. I ended up being captivated throughout the book, and only half-way through, buying a copy for others to read as well.

The topic of this fiction novel especially drew me in because of my own family history, as well as my husband's. Each of us has a family member who has experienced what I believe is Postpartum Psychosis and Schizophrenia. To see this played out in its early stages of diagnosis in the early part of the twentieth century was fascinating!

This new to me author did a great job with character development and pacing, and I learned so many new things on the topic of mental illness. I am glad I took a chance on this book, and encourage others, especially those who are interested in mental health and its history, to take a chance on it as well!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Better Part of Worse by Denise Marie Martin is a powerful and emotionally rich novel that stayed with me long after I finished the last page. Set across several turbulent decades of the 20th century, the story follows Jamie Murphy and his family as they navigate the heartbreaking reality of Katie’s mental illness while holding tightly to hope, faith, and the enduring power of love.

What makes this novel so compelling is its honest portrayal of both the fragility and strength of the human spirit. Martin writes with great compassion and insight, shedding light on the difficult history of mental health care while also capturing the deep devotion within a family determined not to give up on one another. The characters feel incredibly real, and their struggles, sacrifices, and moments of grace are portrayed with authenticity and emotional depth.

The novel also beautifully highlights the historical moment when treatments like Thorazine began to offer new hope for those suffering from severe mental illness. This historical context adds another layer of meaning and realism to the story.

[Julianne Crevatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all the elements that make it unforgettable by combining historical fiction into a multi-generational saga and adding in the challenges of mental illness. Denise-Marie Martin takes the reader inside the mind and heart of mental illness and finds that hope and love endure. Martin has done her research and as a reader you learn and understand the tragic experience of women who suffer from postpartum psychosis before there was treatment and understanding of this condition. What an insight into the involuntary institutionalization of women in the early 1900s. A great read and a wonderful insight into the power of love and hope. Highly recommend. Well researched and wonderful references for further reading. I could not put this book down. It has challenged me to look more closely at the topic of mental illness and how society has stigmatized people who struggle daily to cope with everyday life.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Better Part of Worse is a beautifully written and emotionally powerful novel that lingers long after the final page. Spanning several decades of the 20th century, this moving family saga offers an intimate and compassionate look at love tested by mental illness, social limitations, and unimaginable hardship.

Jamie Murphy is a profoundly human protagonist, and his unwavering devotion to his wife, Katie, forms the emotional backbone of the story. Katie’s struggle is portrayed with honesty and sensitivity, shedding light on the painful realities of mental health care during a time when understanding and treatment were limited. The novel’s depiction of early psychiatric practices, and the life changing arrival of medications like Thorazine, adds historical depth and authenticity to an already compelling narrative.

[Mary Thayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise-Marie Martin has woven a heart-breaking yet beautiful tale in her historical novel The Better Part of Worse. This post–World War I story of family bonds, oaths to God, and desperate clinging to goodness in the midst of mental illness evokes deep emotions the whole way through. I wasn’t too far in before I could barely set it aside. I fell in love with the characters and found myself wanting them all to triumph over whatever was holding them back. Martin stays true to what we’ve come to expect from her—excellent research of topic, splendid character development, and writing that spans the gamut of emotions. I am proud to give my endorsement and highly recommend this unforgettable novel.” — Mary Jo Thayer, three-time award-winning author of Close to the Soul

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Better Part of Worse” is a moving family saga centred on Jamie Murphy, whose strength helps his family navigate emotional struggles, starting with his wife Katie’s mental illness in the 1920s. The novel explores the evolution of mental health care, highlighting the challenges women faced and the gradual introduction of humane treatments, such as Thorazine.

Ultimately, it portrays love’s resilience in the face of uncertainty, emphasizing the endurance of hardship with grace rather than seeking neat resolutions. Drawing on historical details to illustrate compassion and healing, the book offers insight into these concepts.

Try it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elliot James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Better Part of Worse: A Novel of Hope by Denise-Marie Martin is a beautifully written, emotionally powerful family saga. The story of Jamie and Katie unfolds with tenderness and authenticity, capturing the heartbreak of mental illness in an era when understanding was limited. Jamie’s unwavering devotion and the family’s enduring hope make this novel unforgettable. The historical details, especially surrounding early treatments like Thorazine, add depth and realism. Above all, this book is a moving testament to faith, resilience, and unconditional love. It stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

[Smith Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Better Part of Worse: A Novel of Hope by Denise-Marie Martin is a deeply moving family saga that blends emotional intensity with historical depth.

What stands out is its honest portrayal of mental illness within the context of early 20th-century society. The long arc of Jamie and Katie’s story marked by endurance, faith, and hope gives the novel a powerful emotional resonance that lingers beyond the final page.

[Lailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Better Part of Worse is a deeply moving story that stayed with me long after I finished it. Jamie and Katie’s journey through love, mental illness, and decades of hardship is raw and real. It doesn’t shy away from the painful truths of the time, but also offers hope through faith and perseverance. A beautifully written reminder of how love can endure, even in the darkest seasons.

[Phil Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this before. Even on my Kindle, the story completely pulled me in, but not in the usual way. The characters feel alive, the plot twists feel clever and unexpected, and there’s a depth here that caught me off guard. This book made me feel, think, and smile in ways I didn’t see coming. Truly unforgettable.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Better Part of Worse is a deeply moving and beautifully written family saga. It captures the heartbreak of mental illness, the strength of love, and the resilience of faith with raw honesty and hope. An unforgettable story that lingers long after the last page.

[Susan Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was sad, it was happy and lonely and it was beautiful! The journey of a husband and a wife through the hardest of times. I recommend it.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a raw and poignant journey through love,loss,and survival.A deeply moving narrative that lingers long after the final page.