Jimmy Quinn

by Richard VanDeWeghe

In the 1950s, in a small town in northern Michigan, a state mental hospital recognized for its humane patient care is increasingly threatened by a mysterious collusion of local antipathy and state politics. What begins as chronic vandalism soon spirals to physical assault. Struggling to make sense of the mysterious events, psychology intern Henry Merchartt wrestles with his evolving ethical beliefs about how society should treat mental patients with dignity and respect. He navigates the complex world of the hospital, patients and staff, and the local community, as tension builds. In the process, he develops a brotherly bond with Jimmy Quinn, a patient whose work at the asylum illuminates for Henry the critical dignity that accompanies humanistic patient care. Henry's moral indignation mounts as Jimmy falls victim to the growing threat to patient participation in work and farm programs. Henry puts his professional and personal life in jeopardy, as he is propelled from being a closet social critic to taking dramatic, covert, and illegal actions for Jimmy's sake. An unforgettable story of fraternal love and human compassion, Jimmy Quinn weaves together two narrative arcs. One is the hospital's unfortunate loss of its celebrated "work is therapy" approach to patient care. The other is the development of Henry's moral courage, as he chronicles it with the voice of a skilled reporter.

404 pages, Paperback

Published May 29, 2018

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book after touring the State Hospital in TC and seeing this title in the gift shop. I learned more about the hospital's "beauty is therapy" and "work is therapy" approach to care for people with cognitive and emotional struggles: a method unfortunately lost in today's world. Good book by a local TC author.

[Thom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always looking for novels written by good local authors. I happened upon this at the Leland (MI) Bookstore and was intrigued. This book based on the Traverse City State Hospital and its apparently very enlightened and humane treatment of mental health patients ended up being a delightfully pleasant surprise. One of the absolute best novels I’ve read in a long time.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad I picked this book up at the Traverse City Hospital. It was very good. It's so sad that they couldn't keep the hospital running as they had unique and innovative ideas to help patients get on their feet and be a part of society. I'm happy that I read this one as well since the writing was so good, the story just flew by.

[Cynthia Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jimmy Quinn would be a great book for a Book Club discussion. The story takes place in the 1950s. However, the lack of meaningful work for people with disabilities continues to be a significant issue today. Engaging plot. Interesting historical details.
Cynthia Franklin, Psychologist

[Megan Trempe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly recommend everyone to go to the traverse city commons and take a tour of their historical hospital grounds. Amazing. This book hit different now that I know the back story.