I read this book in the 1950's or early 60's. It is about a woman who is a patient in an insane asylum but who is perfectly sane. Details her efforts to keep her sanity and convince others that she is normal. Seems as though the word "Wood" is somehow connected to the title but it was so long ago I can't be sure.

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Originally Posted by GGertie

I read this book in the 1950's or early 60's. It is about a woman who is a patient in an insane asylum but who is perfectly sane. Details her efforts to keep her sanity and convince others that she is normal. Seems as though the word "Wood" is somehow connected to the title but it was so long ago I can't be sure.

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I'm not familiar with the book but there was a Wood County Asylum located in Marshfield Wisconsin.

It was far too common, even in the mid 20th century, for women to be institutionalized at the behest of their husband.

If you can recall additional information about the details of the institution, treatment, etc. I might be able to piece it together if it was an actual, as opposed to fictitious, institution.

ADDED: I accidentally ran across a title "Writing on the Wall, Women's Autobiography and the Asylum" and the author is Mary E. Wood. Looked it up and here is a link: http://www.abebooks.com/Writing-Wall.../1155191372/bd

In addition here is a link to several books dealing with women and the asylum, hopefully one will ring a bell:
http://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/0385474237

Thank you! I will look into those.

In addition to DrBill's excellent response, call or visit the reader's advisory librarian at your public library. There are print and database resources for tracking down fiction characters, title keywords, and plots.