GermanyThe article discusses French author Adèle Yon’s debut book 'My True Name Is Elisabeth,' which explores her family history through a literary and scientific lens. The narrative centers on Yon’s personal fear of descending into madness, linked to a perceived genetic legacy passed down through generations, particularly affecting women in her family. This fear is tied to her great-grandmother Elisabeth, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the 1950s, subjected to a lobotomy, and confined to a psychiatric institution for seventeen years. The book traces Yon’s investigation into this family history after her uncle’s suicide, combining interviews, letters, medical records, and academic research. It reflects on the historical mistreatment of women in mental health care in post-war France, highlighting systemic gender biases in medical practices.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the historical treatment of women in mental health care within a broader critique of systemic gender bias in medical practices, aligning with left-wing perspectives on social justice and institutional discrimination. While the focus is on personal and familial history, the article
