Laughter at Dawn

The aide was merely attempting to break up a fight when she became the target of Abigail Thornton’s anger. The beating she received would nearly prove fatal. Abigail Thornton is a troubled young woman who is a patient at the Greenway Development Center. Her life has been lived mostly as a ward of the state due to being abandoned by her mother. Her youth consisted of being shifted from one foster family to another and suffering either neglect or abuse at the hands of her foster family. Abigail spiraled into a pattern of self-destructive behavior which resulted in her commitment at Greenway Development Center. She is suffering from developmental disorders in addition to behavioral issues.

Sally McGraw works at Greenway and views Abby as someone who can be reached with the right treatment. She advocates for Abby to be weaned off the more intense psychotropic drugs while attempting to get Abby to open up more. Whereas Sally believes in Abby’s potential, Greenway Director Belle Farthing sees Abby as a violent nuisance with the potential to cause trouble for Greenway along with Belle’s leadership. Belle will utilize a variety of methods to help neutralize Abby as a threat, even if it means resorting to nefarious means.

Dr. Frank Cappelli struggles to find the underlying cause of Abigail’s behavior. However, the solution hasn’t come in any cocktail of mood stabilizers. He is torn between his duty as a doctor and the increasing dictatorial demands of Belle Farthing. As Abigail’s behavior continues to be erratic, Frank will need to decide where his loyalties lie.

Mental health issues are a much-explored topic in the United States, but the treatment of mental health has not always been exemplary. Laughter At Dawn brilliantly delves into the schizophrenic treatment of those suffering psychological maladies. Sally McGraw represents the compassionate side of treatment in how she reaches out and befriends Abigail. A key emotional element of this moving story is the friendship formed between Sally and Abigail. Belle Farthing represents the cold, clinical side of psychotherapy where the women under her care are merely patients to be kept docile and obedient. Success is measured by compliance, not necessarily by patients being cured and released.

Author Jo Ellen Capps-Layne has written an excellent book that is poignant, and contemplative with moments of dark humor. The plot is well-paced, each featured character is interesting and the climax is both spellbinding and satisfying. Laughter At Dawn is a winner from start to finish and should be read by a wide audience.