Jay Hoyland

The Palace of Versailles Jay Hoyland

The Palace of Versailles...centers on the life of psychiatrist Sam Carmine, torn between his commitment to his work and his personal needs. He becomes a nationally known figure when he is appointed to the leadership of a major psychiatric facility. His path to this appointment, the nuances of feelings and events in the lives of his friends, family and patients are the substance of this touching and helpful view of human nature.

Parallel plots concern the staff and their emotional and intellectual growth in learning to work with patients, as well as the polarity of joy in treating patients who can be helped and the sadness and sense of failure when treatment fails. The patient's personal stories, their intense suffering and satisfaction in achievements, and their feelings toward the staff and each other are interwoven. Intrigue, mystery, and surprise take the reader on an emotional roller coaster. The title, The Palace of Versailles, juxtaposes the French Versailles with an American Versailles, and implies comparison of fantasy and glitter to rational acceptance of life with knowledge that it can be changed.