The Process of Fraying - Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway

The Process of Fraying by Jess Neal Woods

Publication Date: January 5, 2019

Paperback & eBook; 446 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher/author for an honest review

Violet is a pillar of hospitality and compassion within her community. As a farmer’s wife and mother of a large brood, she is resolute, thrifty, and charming. The life that is woven between the land and her family is one of harmony and beauty.

When she begins to struggle with depression, her demeanor changes. At first, the change is subtle, but it becomes increasingly problematic as Violet struggles with bouts of incapacitating depression and anxiety and visions of self-harm. A candle flame offers a way to feel, even if it is the pain of a burn. Her beloved creek becomes ominous as it beckons to her. Having no real understanding of what is happening within her, Violet turns to both the religious and medical communities for guidance. Both fail her. With her identity stripped away and her family reeling from the aftermath, Violet must determine if she can make peace with the changes within herself before she is consumed by them. 

The Process of Fraying is a historical family drama that explores the social, religious, and medical stigmas surrounding mental health in the 1940s.

Available on Amazon

My Take:

The description of The Process of Fraying was all it took for me to want to read it. I’ve long been fascinated with the ways mental health is portrayed in literature and how attitudes and beliefs regarding it have changed over time. It is often not a pleasant topic, but I am interested in it nonetheless.

I was immediately caught up in Violet’s life and her inner thoughts. I found her to be a very thoughtful and nurturing woman. I thought the author did a wonderful job of not just describing Violet’s feelings and inner thoughts, but also making them feel so real. Sometimes as I was reading, I felt like I was drowning in the emotions and turmoil of confusion Violet felt about why she couldn’t pull herself out of the darkness.

Violet and her husband seek help from their religious leaders and doctors – and none of them are able to help her. In fact, the doctors do much more harm than good. The descriptions of the so-called “treatments” she underwent are downright infuriating and are actually barbaric. Even beyond the treatments themselves, the victimization of the patients in the mental institutions by the staff and doctors is just horrific. The fact that she survived their “treatments” shows the depth of her inner strength rather than the lack thereof.

The Process of Fraying is a beautifully written book and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. The author did a wonderful job of sharing her great-grandmother’s life and I truly appreciate the chance to read about her.

About the Author

Jess is a debut novelist in historical fiction centering around the WWII era. A graduate of Indiana University, Jess holds a degree in English. When she is not reading or writing, she teaches English (literature and composition) courses online to high school students. Jess currently resides in upstate New York with her husband, Josh, their three children, and their two dogs. Though she is a Georgia native, Jess has lived in a multitude of states. Each place gives her writing fresh flare and direction as she is exposed to new people, stories, and experiences.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, June 10
Feature at Coffee and Ink
Review & Interview at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, June 11
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, June 12
Feature at What Is That Book About

Thursday, June 13
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews
Review at Henry and Benny's Book Nook

Friday, June 14
Review at A Book Geek

Saturday, June 15
Feature at Broken Teepee

Monday, June 17
Review at Mama Panda Bear
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we will be giving away a copy of The Process of Fraying by Jess Neal Woods! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on June 17th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen. The Process of Fraying