I have been buying books directly from the publishers, not billionaires on Amazon! (Then I donate them to the library!) I was ordering one book, and saw On Isabella Street. (Free shipping for orders above $49.)
This historical fiction is set in 1967, and incorporates the issues of the time, with an interesting story about two strong women, and examining the PTSD of the Vietnam War. I walked past the Hippies, and street people to get to school. I remember sometimes people who would ask for money as I walked home from the subway. If I had money, I'd take them to the corner restaurant for a coffee and sandwich. There were people sleeping rough in inner city Toronto.
I knew about the de-institutionalism of the 60s and 70s. It had a horrible impact on society, as much as individuals. My takeaway is that there are some people who need help and institutionalization doesn't help many. Others simply need help, properly accessed by healthcare professionals. It boils down to a housing issue for many.
It was an excellent read. Genevieve Graham is a prolific 🇨🇦 Canadian author! I've read: Death Dealer, Unhallowed Ground, as well.
Isabella is a street in Toronto, right downtown, where I lived. I would walk to Jarvis Collegiate H.S. I'd heard of 999 Queen Street (1848 - 1998), where people with mental health issues were housed. There are horror stories, of course, but we know many homeless people are facing mental health issues that precludes them from finding housing or holding a job.
You can end up in hospital or jail, you lose your housing.
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| On Isabella Street |
There are lots of documents Graham accessed. Also, there is a YouTube video of a doctor that worked at the Ontario Hospital, referred to as '999.' Youtube Doctor memories.
This is from the Canadian Encyclopedia: 999 Queen Street West: The Toronto Asylum Scandal.
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| 999 Queen Street West |
On March 9, 1998 the Queen Street Mental Health Centre was privatized. It was merged with the Clarke Institute, the Donwood Institute and the Addiction Research Foundation to form the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
History of Queen Street Site - CAMH
8 comments:
Kudos to you for buying books from the publisher and your subsequent generosity in donating them to your local library. I wish that more people would follow your example. I never buy from Amazon.
Institutions (especially in a political climate) often miss the mark of their stated intentions...caring for the needy. I am glad group homes came about, but also see that un-housed people have become a larger problem, with most probably having mental health issues. And here our politicians give lip-service to building low-cost housing, but then drag their feet at funding it. This comes through at all levels, and is worse now with the current MAGATS running things nationally.
My husband suffers from chronic PTSD still to this day from Vietnam. Thankfully when he lost everything due to that, his parents took him back in and cared for him. When we met he was still in and out of the VA hospital for quite a few years for PTSD and the mental anguish that comes from it.
This looks like a book I'd like to read.
This sounds really fascinating. Thanks for the recommendation!
Well that's very interesting.
Wonderful book reviews Jan, thank you. Hope you are keeping cool up there. It's rather hot and humid today in Northern Virginia.
And I was sitting here thinking Canada didn't have Vietnam problems except all of the resistors from the U.S. Sounds like an interesting place. Linda in Kansas
Great review, thanks for sharing the book.
Take care, have a great day!
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