The Degenerates - J. Albert Mann

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⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

A historical novel about four girls around 14 years old who have been sent to a school for the "feeble-minded" in the 1910s for various reasons - one has Down's Syndrome, another is pregnant, another has a club foot... London is newly-arrived and pregnant, and determined to escape this life of monotony and drudgery and being labelled a "moron," but to her surprise she starts to care about some of the other girls in her group.

This book is not an easy read because this "school" sounds absolutely horrific and I can't believe they existed, although of course at the same time I'm not surprised at all. But the four girls at the heart of the story are so resilient and hopeful and strong, and are trying to get through the best they can. It's a great story of friendship and escape, and teaches a lot about labels and disability, and the value we put on people with disabilities. The author herself has a physical disability, and the author's note at the end made me appreciate the book even more.

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