Brilliant physician Simao Bacamarte sacrifices a prestigious career to return home and educate himself to the budding field of psychology. Bacamarte opens the first asylum hoping to crown himself and his hometown with 'imperishable laurels'. But then the good doctor starts to see signs of insanity in more and more of his neighbours. With dark humour and sparse prose, The Alienist lets the reader ponder who is really crazy after all. Originally published in 1882, readers will find that this tragically humorous novella remains as relevant as ever.
