Battered Rose

About the Story:

“The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls” will leave fans shocked, and readers everywhere gasping for air.

Straddling the bookshelves somewhere between psychological study, historical horror story, and fantasy fiction sits Emilie Autumn’s debut autobiographical novel. Written and illustrated by the notoriously manic-depressive rock star, this chilling tale combines humor, tragedy, and suspense to produce a blood-curdling account of life inside an insane asylum, comparing those from the Victorian era with our modern day version, and proving, through her own personal experiences, that not much has changed from then to now.

Culled directly from Emilie Autumn’s real-life diary entries, the story begins with Emilie’s suicide attempt and prompt imprisonment inside a psychiatric hospital. Sparing no detail, Emilie shows us exactly what goes on inside this house of horrors, exposing secrets that the general public could never have guessed at. Narrated with the sarcastic and self-deprecating humor present in all of Emilie’s works, much of the subject matter may be considered controversial, and even dangerous. Still, as in her song lyrics, Emilie tells the truth at all costs, thrusting the brave reader into a play by play accounting of her bi-polar episodes, even providing photos — blood, cuts, and all. The story takes an unexpected turn when, whilst still in the psych ward, Emilie discovers evidence of a parallel dimension — a world that soon becomes indiscernible from her own.

“The Asylum…” is a reality-bending thriller as well as a profoundly empowering tale of suffering, sisterhood, and revenge that culminates in one of the most suspenseful cliffhangers of all time. The book’s colorful cast of characters (diabolical doctors, mental patients, and the talking plague rats and blood-sucking leeches that fans of Emilie’s music are already familiar with) thoroughly entertain educate, and engross the reader with prime movie material.

Each full-color page is positively packed with hand-written memoirs, photographs, fanciful paintings and sketches of the Asylum’s inhabitants. This monumental show of literary and artistic talent demands a place on your coffee table as well as on your nightstand, although readers should be cautioned — you’ll never think of your doctor quite the same way again.

Prepare yourself to enter a world most pray never to visit.

But beware: It is much easier to get into the Asylum than it is to get out…

Release Date

January 2010

Where to Buy

This book is currently out of print, but a reprint is on the way. Please check the news page for updates.