The Illness Lesson

<p><strong>Haunting, intense and irresistible, The Illness Lesson is an extraordinary debut about women's minds and bodies, and the time-honoured tradition of doubting both.</strong><br /><br />In 1871, at an elite new school designed to shape the minds of young women, the inscrutable and defiant Eliza Bell has been overwhelmed by an inexplicable illness.<br /><br />Before long, the other girls start to succumb to its peculiar symptoms - rashes, tics,<br />night wanderings and fits.<br /><br />As the disease takes hold, teacher Caroline Hood tries desperately to hide her own symptoms, but<br />the powers-that-be turn to a sinister physician with dubious methods.<br /><br />Does Caroline have the courage to confront the all-male, all-knowing authorities of her world<br />and protect the young women in her care?</p>