Description
Book Synopsis: On the outskirts of Havana lies Mazorra, an asylum known to--and at times feared by--ordinary Cubans for over a century. Since its founding in 1857, the island's first psychiatric hospital has been an object of persistent political attention. Drawing on hospital documents and government records, as well as the popular press, photographs, and oral histories, Jennifer L. Lambe charts the connections between the inner workings of this notorious institution and the highest echelons of Cuban politics. Across the sweep of modern Cuban history, she finds, Mazorra has served as both laboratory and microcosm of the Cuban state: the asylum is an icon of its ignominious colonial and neocolonial past and a crucible of its republican and revolutionary futures.
From its birth, Cuban psychiatry was politically inflected, drawing partisan contention while sparking debates over race, religion, gender, and sexuality. Psychiatric notions were even invested with revolutionary significance after 1959, as the new government undertook ambitious schemes for social reeducation. But Mazorra was not the exclusive province of government officials and professionalizing psychiatrists. U.S. occupiers, Soviet visitors, and, above all, ordinary Cubans infused the institution, both literal and metaphorical, with their own fears, dreams, and alternative meanings. Together, their voices comprise the madhouse that, as Lambe argues, haunts the revolutionary trajectory of Cuban history.
Details
Discover the captivating history of Cuba through the pages of "Madhouse: Psychiatry and Politics in Cuban History" book. Delve into the depths of Mazorra, the island's first psychiatric hospital, which has aroused fascination and fear among ordinary Cubans for over a century. This enlightening book by Jennifer L. Lambe takes you on a gripping journey that uncovers the intricate connections between this institution and the highest levels of Cuban politics.
Unraveling the secrets hidden within hospital documents, government records, and oral histories, Lambe reveals Mazorra as a microcosm of the Cuban state. From its tumultuous colonial past to its revolutionary future, Mazorra has played a pivotal role in shaping Cuban identity. This book showcases how psychiatric notions have been entangled with politics, spurring discussions on race, religion, gender, and sexuality.
Furthermore, Mazorra transcends boundaries, attracting attention from a myriad of voices. From U.S. occupiers to Soviet visitors and everyday Cubans, the asylum became a repository for their fears, dreams, and alternative interpretations. Lambe seamlessly weaves together these diverse perspectives, creating a haunting narrative that defines the revolutionary trajectory of Cuban history.
Delve into this thought-provoking book and gain a profound understanding of the complexities inherent in Cuban society, past, and present. Uncover the hidden narratives that have shaped the nation and discover how Mazorra has become an enduring symbol of Cuba's intricate political landscape.
Don't miss your chance to explore the fascinating world of "Madhouse: Psychiatry and Politics in Cuban History" and embark on a journey that will reshape your understanding of Cuba's captivating past.Click here to order your copy now!
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