I knew there were leper colonies in Hawaii but I was unaware that there was one in Carville, Louisiana. In her historical fiction book Amanda Skenandore writes about a woman from Hollywood, California who is sent there after her doctor diagnoses her with leprosy. For an unusually long time she stays in denial about her condition. Mirielle is married to an actor. She is used to champagne, parties, and glamour. This diagnosis comes at her just a few months after her son drowned. She has two little girls at home. She is taken from the hospital to a empty train car with one nurse and two other patients. She is a prickly person in the first place and she does not adjust well. She comes off as rude and snotty. The appearance of some of the patients horrifies her. There is no telephone at the facility. All mail has to be disinfected in the steamer and not all letters make it through that process. There is a ten year old girl her who pulls pranks on everyone frequently but she reminds Mirielle of her daughter so they end up bonding. Eventually Mirielle comes to accept her fate and goes about helping the other patients and joining in on the social activities. The Second Life Of Mirielle West is a great story. I also read another book by the same author called When We Were Yours and that was a good book too.