Editorial Reviews
“In The Invisible Ones, Jaime Grookett delves into a lesser-known chapter of American history, weaving a narrative that exposes the eugenic treatment of women in the 20th century. Although fictional, the novel serves as a poignant reminder of these obscured historical truths.
The protagonist, seventeen-year-old Anna Wilson, shoulders the burden of caring for her three younger siblings on their family farm after their parents’ abandonment. Despite her efforts to provide a stable life, the Children’s Aid Society intervenes when they discover the siblings living unsupervised. This marks the beginning of Anna’s journey through a harrowing landscape of institutional mistreatment and societal neglect.
Her resilience and determination shine as she navigates through life’s adversities, challenging the unjust systems that seek to diminish her worth. Grookett’s narrative is compelling, portraying Anna’s early life marked by limited resources and educational opportunities, which unscrupulous figures attempt to exploit to confine her freedoms. A significant turn in Anna’s life occurs when she is unjustly sent to an asylum for the so-called “feeble-minded.” It is within these walls that she learns of the grave injustices faced by those deemed unfit by society—individuals forcibly isolated and subjected to irreversible medical interventions aimed at preventing their reproduction. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Anna’s journey is one of unyielding courage. She evolves into a figure of strength and perseverance, embodying the roles of a friend, sister, and potential mother. Her fight against the oppressive forces illustrates a profound narrative of self-belief and resistance against those who wield their power carelessly.
The Invisible Ones is both harrowing and uplifting, presenting a tapestry of human spirit and resilience. Grookett’s elegant prose and sensitive storytelling highlight the hidden beauties of a fight for justice and freedom, making it an essential read for those interested in the resilience of the human spirit against historical injustices. This book not only recounts a troubling past but also celebrates the enduring will to overcome it.”
-Literary Titan
A powerful exploration of hope and resilience The Invisible Ones certainly isn’t an archetypal tale of abuse, loss and resilience with Jaime Grookett giving us a story that, despite its historical setting, feels immediate and real.
There’s real soul to Anna Wilson’s story as Grookett beautifully renders the sights and sounds of a bygone era. All are meticulously observed as she explores a dark and harrowing period of turbulent change in Anna’s life with the dice seemingly loaded against her.
Tackling a story like Anna’s is never easy but the physical abuse and emotional anguish never borders on overkill, and The Invisible One’s strength lies in the fact that, even though some of the characters and events depicted seem archetypal at first, they turn out to be so much more.
Grookett’s writing is light and easy to read, her plot clear and a pleasure to follow, but what sets her novel apart is a clear understanding of how relationship dynamics, in their differing guises, shape our years, with character development at the heart of her narrative.
To this end, Grookett gives us wholly endearing characters that exude strength of personality and purpose. Each of them, the good and the bad, touching upon one universal truth, that irrespective of our standing in life, colour or creed, we all have the power to make a difference in someone else’s life as Grookett subtly skewers the absurd rules and hypocrisies of class and psychiatric institutions where many of the committed remain for life.
A polished story that exudes insight, it challenges those fears we all invariably come to dwell upon – that we will never be enough. And in following the burgeoning friendship between Anna and Miss Millie we come to the realisation that our relationships are ultimately defined by the choices we make and the people to whom we give our trust. The years come and go and society changes but in Anna’s story, we find a life-affirming quality and a celebration of fearlessness that has become far too rare.
There are parts of The Invisible Ones that are heart-achingly sad, but Grookett is ever mindful to keep a kernel of hope alive. Reminding us of the different spheres we inhabit as our lives evolve and not to take any given day for granted.
A timeless telling with, The Invisible Ones is nothing short of superb. A must-read for fans of moving Historical Fiction, it is an unreservedly recommended Golden Quill read. –Bookviral Reviewer
Jaime Grookett 