“Ten Days a Madwoman” is designed for young readers, but this older reader found it riveting. This biography of pioneering “girl reporter” Nellie Bly (1864-1922) resurrects its subject, places her within her time, and proposes her as a role model of sorts for today’s truth seekers.
Bly was a pen name; the book’s subject was born Elizabeth Jane Cochran and was known as “Pink” because as a child, she liked to stand out by wearing that color. The book begins with her arrival in New York City in 1887, looking for work as a newspaperwoman. Finding it wasn’t easy.
Finally, the editor of the “World” gave her a chance. He would give her a chance to write a dramatic expose, he said. If she could get herself admitted to the city’s lunatic asylum for women on Blackwell’s Island (now known as Roosevelt Island), he would pay her to write about her experiences there.
Game for any opportunity, Bly acted crazy enough to get a judge to commit her to the asylum. For 10 days she endured the abusive, depressing conditions there. The newspaper managed to get her out (no small feat), and she made her name as a writer by penning a series of articles about her experiences.
“Ten Days a Madwoman” goes on to chronicle several other reporting stunts and coups by Bly, in particular, her other famous escapade, a trip around the world trying to beat the 80-day record of Jules Verne’s fictional Phileas Fogg. (She managed to end her trip in 72 days.)
The photographs of Bly show a surprisingly contemporary face and manner. Author Deborah Noyes, who lives in South Hadley, does her best to explain how and why Bly developed the self-confidence and ambition that helped her succeed in what was very much a man’s business.
As an adult reader, I wanted even more explanation of her motives and perhaps some analysis of her writing style. She clearly liked to tell a story, and as a creative journalist myself I wonder whether she ever invented situations.
This sort of analysis is beyond the scope of an inspirational book for young people, however, so I can’t really complain that it wasn’t included in the biography. What the author has included works well.
Coincidentally, a new film titled “Ten Days in a Madhouse,” based on Bly’s experiences at Blackwell’s Island, has recently been released. I’m glad I read this book first for a wider view of Nellie Bly’s life and career — but I’ll stand in line for a ticket to the film as well.
Tinky Weisblat is the author of “The Pudding Hollow Cookbook” and “Pulling Taffy.” Visit her website: www.TinkyCooks.com