Poems from the Asylum

by Martha Decker Nasch, Jodi Nasch Decker, Janelle Molony (Editor)

Biography and collection of harrowing and insightful poems written by Martha Hedwig Nasch, patient-inmate #20864 at the St. Peter State Hospital for the Insane. After her release, she was called in 1934 press "The Woman Who Never Ate, Drank, or Slept for Seven Years!"

After noticing something strange from a secret medical procedure in 1927, St. Paul, Minnesota, Martha Nasch's doctor claimed she just had a "case of nerves." With a signature from her adulterous husband, Martha was committed against her will to the asylum. She spent nearly seven years in the Minnesota hospital during the Great Depression and tried to escape twice. Martha's poems from behind bars include shocking eyewitness accounts of patient treatment and a long-suffering adoration for her only child, now being raised alone by her deceiving spouse.

While inside, she sought an explanation for her mysterious condition that led her to a spiritual answer for the mystifying curse. Would her findings make her a metaphysical guru of the Breatharian lifestyle, or would she become the laughingstock of her Depression-era family?

Editing and arrangement by Martha's great-granddaughter, Janelle Molony, with an introduction by Jodi Nasch Decker, granddaughter and family historian. More than fifty photographs and illustrations are included with the historical research that accompanies this beautiful collection of poems.

Genres: Poetry

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2022

Reviews

[Becky Loader · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a horrific story! Committed to St. Peter's State Hospital for the Insane by her husband, Martha struggles to hold onto what is real. Her poems depict the deplorable conditions in the hospital and the treatment of patients. She looks for a spiritual answer to her mysterious condition and ends up in a terrible situation.

[AnnaRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-researched and heart-wrenching story. The poems are lovely too.

[Christa Jacimore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to give this a higher rating and if I could I'd say 3.5. The story is fascinating and I love the pictures. My biggest problem with it is, I really enjoyed the beginning, and then come the actual poems, well, that was good...but they buried the lead!!!! I almost quit reading when I was close to the end of the poems, not knowing what was next, the "epilogue" which was so fascinating, about Martha's claims and told more about her mental state. Anyway, I bought this because I saw one of the authors interviewed and was fascinated by it. I'm glad I read it and that it is a part of my library.