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trin's review
5.0
Beautiful and eerie collection of photographs of (mostly) abandoned state mental hospitals. There are two informative essays by the photographer, Christopher Payne, and one by neurologist and author [a:Oliver Sacks|843200|Oliver W. Sacks|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1222681187p2/843200.jpg], but in many ways the images speak for themselves. Payne highlights the grand, imposing edifices of these decaying institutions, their grandeur making it possible to understand how a mental asylum was once considered a great coup for a community. But it’s impossible not to also see the dashed dreams hidden away behind these crumbling walls. The fact that the noble ideals with which these places were built disintegrated over time manifests itself with a stunning literalness in swirls of peeling paint, moldering ceilings, and leaf-strewn breezeways. Similarly, the people society has left behind are evoked with the simple image of an abandoned rack of multicolored patient toothbrushes.
Aspects of this book are creepy—it brought to mind several horror movies (notably Session 9) that I instantly wanted to rewatch once I finished reading. But it’s surprisingly poignant, too. In his closing essay, Payne talks about witnessing the destruction of Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts, the exterior of which was a familiar sight throughout his childhood. It was closed in the early ’90s and recently demolished to build condominiums. It’s easy to see why Payne views this as a tragedy against architecture and history, and his photos of Danvers being gutted are some of the most wrenching in the book. There was something here—something that mattered once—and now it’s gone forever.
Aspects of this book are creepy—it brought to mind several horror movies (notably Session 9) that I instantly wanted to rewatch once I finished reading. But it’s surprisingly poignant, too. In his closing essay, Payne talks about witnessing the destruction of Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts, the exterior of which was a familiar sight throughout his childhood. It was closed in the early ’90s and recently demolished to build condominiums. It’s easy to see why Payne views this as a tragedy against architecture and history, and his photos of Danvers being gutted are some of the most wrenching in the book. There was something here—something that mattered once—and now it’s gone forever.
jhbandcats's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
5.0
This book of photographs of abandoned state mental asylums is just about the saddest I’ve read in I don’t know how long. It’s also incredibly thought provoking. These magnificent, massive buildings and their extensive acreage were larger than many towns. Now, they’ve been demolished or reduced to worthless trash.
Why, when so many people need housing, can these buildings not be saved? Well, obviously because of the cost. Then why can’t developers convert the existing buildings to condominiums and keep part of the buildings and their effects intact, perhaps in a small onsite museum? These buildings were designed by the best architects of their time, and they’re beautiful.
The combination of the anguish the mental patients were suffering and the demolition of these phenomenal buildings has really affected me. I should at least say that Payne’s photos are gorgeous and Oliver Sacks’ words are always more than worthwhile.
Why, when so many people need housing, can these buildings not be saved? Well, obviously because of the cost. Then why can’t developers convert the existing buildings to condominiums and keep part of the buildings and their effects intact, perhaps in a small onsite museum? These buildings were designed by the best architects of their time, and they’re beautiful.
The combination of the anguish the mental patients were suffering and the demolition of these phenomenal buildings has really affected me. I should at least say that Payne’s photos are gorgeous and Oliver Sacks’ words are always more than worthwhile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Medical content, Mental illness, Grief, Death, and Chronic illness
sarahannkateri's review
3.0
I feel like showing the buildings as run-down shells with peeling paint, etc. was a cheap way to get some emotional impact. Showing them as they actually looked during their working days would have been more emotionally honest.
reader1147's review
5.0
Awesome book. Great photography and essay. What really surprised me about the hospitals is how self-sufficient they were at first - almost like little communities. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in the field or those interested in the history of psychology.
liralen's review
5.0
This was...fascinating, actually, and sparked in me a brief rampage through whatever asylum-photography books I could find. The photos depict old state hospitals in various states of disrepair, often left to crumble with furnishings still in place.
I hadn't given a lot of thought to asylums prior to finding this book, but the author-photographer has clearly done his research, and he makes some very intriguing points about the way that mental hospitals have evolved. There's so much history packed into each photograph that it's impossible not to wonder about the stories within.
I hadn't given a lot of thought to asylums prior to finding this book, but the author-photographer has clearly done his research, and he makes some very intriguing points about the way that mental hospitals have evolved. There's so much history packed into each photograph that it's impossible not to wonder about the stories within.
jillyd's review
5.0
The empty rooms, the long quiet hallways with peeling paint, the forgotten toothbrushes and dinner plates - these photographs are hauntingly sad to see, but oh so beautiful at the same time. I recommend this book for all photography and art lovers, as well as fans of abandoned places.
srogan88's review
5.0
This book includes two essays at the beginning - one from the photographer, one from neurologist Oliver Sacks - that give some history on asylums and the project.
Then, it's off to the amazing photos. Payne captures the beauty of the architecture, the feeling of isolation and protection created by these mammoth buildings situated among rolling hills and countryside.
He also captures the feeling of desolation and hopelessness inside the walls, sharing photos of abandoned equipment, empty work rooms, and left-behind belongings.
I read this partly because I'm very interested in the progression (or recent regression, perhaps) of society's relationship to mental health. These institutions are an important part of that. I also read it with hopes it may inspire the writer in me.
Then, it's off to the amazing photos. Payne captures the beauty of the architecture, the feeling of isolation and protection created by these mammoth buildings situated among rolling hills and countryside.
He also captures the feeling of desolation and hopelessness inside the walls, sharing photos of abandoned equipment, empty work rooms, and left-behind belongings.
I read this partly because I'm very interested in the progression (or recent regression, perhaps) of society's relationship to mental health. These institutions are an important part of that. I also read it with hopes it may inspire the writer in me.
nycterisberna's review
4.0
Con un prólogo de Oliver Sacks muy interesante en que habla del cambio en la visión de las instituciones mentales desde una internación prolongada de los internos, quienes además trabajaban y mantenían el lugar a estancias cortas y medicación constante, que trajo consecuencias muy complejas, el trabajo fotográfico de Payne es de gran belleza. Todas las imágenes de los pasillos, dormitorios y fachadas parecen de castillos góticos: esa extraña belleza de las ruinas, vemos cómo el tiempo avanza y devora salones de teatro, baños, camas, ropa, cementerios y el recuerdo de quienes alguna vez habitaron estos lugares.
gatun's review
5.0
Oliver Sacks wrote the forward on Asylum. He discusses his time working in an asylum and watching the changes that led to most asylums being closed. Christopher Payne has beautiful and heartbreaking photographs of asylums all over the country. The pictures conveyed an overwhelming sadness. With so many of these asylums, which are historic buildings, being torn down, Payne felt the need to document them as much as possible.
I strongly recommend this book if you have any interest in the history of mental health in the United States. The text sections by Sacks and Payne are relatively short; the photographs comprise the majority of this book. Personally, I found myself drawn back to look at them multiple times. This will be a book that I purchase in print format.
I strongly recommend this book if you have any interest in the history of mental health in the United States. The text sections by Sacks and Payne are relatively short; the photographs comprise the majority of this book. Personally, I found myself drawn back to look at them multiple times. This will be a book that I purchase in print format.
p0tat0's review
4.0
This was a really beautiful and unexpected volume of photographs. Given the cover image, I was expecting that Payne would be highlighting a sinister side of mental hospitals but in reality it was quite the opposite. In the brief introduction and afterword, Oliver Sacks and Christopher Payne focus more on the civic pride felt by communities hosting grand mental hospitals and the sense of purpose that these vibrant hospitals afforded their patients. My only complaint is that the photographs left me wanting to know so much more about the lives lived in those spaces.