The Rubber Fence by Diana Stevan ~ Book Review

Book Description:

It's 1972. Women are breaking out, families are breaking down, and men are trying to hold on for the ride.

Dr. Joanna Bereza is a psychiatric intern, who wants to have it all: a career, a loving marriage, and a family, but her passion to do what's right sets her against a system that's as stuck as the people it treats.

Joanna becomes obsessed with the treatment of two women―a mute young mother suspected of trying to kill her baby and a feisty old woman who's been through the mill one too many times. Blinded by her obsession, Joanna not only neglects her own husband, but in trying to stop her patients from getting shock treatment, she also puts her career in jeopardy. Further complicating matters is the seductive senior resident who looks more like a hip rock star than an aspiring shrink.

Shadowing Joanna's work is her own unresolved grief over something that happened when she was a child.

The Rubber Fence was inspired by the author's experience as a family therapist on a psychiatric ward.

Purchase a copy on Amazon.

About the Author:

Diana Stevan is from Winnipeg, where she got her Bachelor's degree in Home Economics and a Master of Social Work with honours.

Having worked as a professional actress, model, family therapist and CBC television sports broadcaster, she uses her experience to weave her stories.

Her time-slip novel, a romantic mystery/adventure, A CRY FROM THE DEEP, was published on October 15, 2014.

On March 15, 2015, she published her novelette, THE BLUE NIGHTGOWN, a story about family life in the 1950s and coming of age.

Her second novel, THE RUBBER FENCE, inspired by her work on a psychiatric ward in 1972, is now out as both a paperback and e-book.

Connect: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook |

Review:

I really enjoy reading medical fiction, either mental or physical health. I believe this is likely because I work in the health care field and also since I am very fascinated by how our bodies and brain works. I have heard stories from institutions from the 1950-70's and realize they had some different approaches then what is more modern day. They still use electric shock treatment in some treatment centres, I am sure it is different from when they first introduced it.

Joanna is a young intern with new ideas, more hands on, less medication type approach. The Dr's where she is interning are more about pharmaceuticals and ECT. Following Joanna's troubles at home and finding her place in her career this made for an interesting novel set in the 1970's. I found the story is written in a steady pace, it starts out a little slow but then gets going. I found it hard to put down, from one thing to the next poor Joanna has her struggles. This is a novel of life lessons and struggles, relationship problems and learning to communicate with one another. It is set in the '70's when women were still newer to the work force especially as Dr's. The author did a fantastic job bringing the reader into the story and emotional journey. I look forward to reading more by Diana Stevan.

I give this book a 4.5 stars out of 5, a great literary fiction.