I stumbled upon the novel Shy Creatures (2024), by Clare Chambers, while browsing Libby for my next audiobook listen. I am so glad I added it to my library--the writing was lovely and insightful, and the plot, setting, and characterization, which are loosely based on a true story, interested and moved me.
Shy Creatures is set during the mid-twentieth century and revolves around the character of Helen Hansford, an art therapist working in a psychiatric hospital located in England. More progressive therapies, such as the one Helen Hansford practices, are on the rise, however, the older, more invasive, and at times troubling methods continue to be employed in this era. The differences and divides between these practices is explored in the novel through the introduction of a new patient, William Tapping, who has been living an entirely isolated existence in a derelict house for an extensive period of time. At thirty-seven years of age, William Tapping is uneducated, mute, and in ill-health, both mentally and physically, but as time passes, Helen perceives his innate artistic talents, it seems that the neglected and abused man may have an avenue toward some semblance of healing.
The plot, of course, thickens from there. "Physician, heal thyself" is one of the thematic threads of Shy Creatures, as Helen Hansford has her own profound troubles to resolve. While the novel may unfold a bit more slowly than some may prefer, I appreciated the time that Chambers took to consider the twists and turns of the healing process. She does not sugar-coat experiences of mental illness, profound neglect, and the ramifications of mistakes made. She does justice to them instead.