Set in 1989 Utah, Life in The Asylum is the memoir of Kristen, a young lesbian who marries a “good” man to appease her religious family, and to try and make herself heterosexual. But unbeknownst to her, the man she marries (Frank) is also gay. And while her new husband has no desire to change his sexuality, he intensely desires to hide it for the same reasons as Kristen.
After many failed attempts to be what she considers “normal,” Kristen eventually realizes that the bulk of her misery is self-inflicted. She chooses to accept who she is and begins to live openly, regardless of the ramifications. Frank refuses to fight the stigmas of homosexuality, and hides his true self to the end.
Life in the Asylum explores the ugliness of prejudice, but is written in a satirical vein to take the edge off. The intention of this story is not just to lighten a dark subject with humor, but also to show that self-acceptance is far more important than being accepted by others. And did I mention, the story is highly entertaining?
R. A. Ferre 