Bedlam. A Novel

Jennifer Higgie explores a pivotal year in the life of Richard Dadd, who became a notorious figure at London's Bethlem Hospital, often referred to as Bedlam. During his confinement, Dadd's mind wandered back to his travels across Europe and the Middle East with his patron, Sir Thomas Phillips. Their journey took them from the dense forests of Germany to the vibrant streets of Alexandria and through the expansive deserts to the banks of the Nile. As they traveled through the intense heat of Syria and Palestine, Dadd’s mental state deteriorated, filled with vivid and chaotic visions. His increasingly erratic and violent behavior was initially blamed on sunstroke by his companion. It was during this daunting trip that Dadd started to follow the deity Osiris. Not long after he returned to England in 1843, under the influence of this newfound allegiance, he felt compelled to commit murder, leading him to Bedlam. Higgie captures Dadd's troubled psyche with a mix of precision and empathy, presenting a poetic and insightful study of the artist. The narrative also serves as a compelling exploration of the fragile boundary between sanity and madness.