This novel "Mad Shadows" is less fictional then it is authentic. In today's world, it is obvious how most people are influenced and admire others mostly because of their physical beauty. However this novel exaggerates this point to a great extent to be realized. Isabelle-Marie and Patrice who are excessively fond of beauty by their mother Louise nearly blinds them, thinking of it as a necessity like food and shelter.
             One of the main characters in the story, Louise is a perfect example of how someone loses their right sense of understanding. Excessively blinded by beauty, she denies the fact that her own son has mental problem. As long as she can still admire his gorgeous features, as she thinks that this beauty reflects back on her. Lost in her own world she forgets the fact that she also has a daughter to raise into a decent young woman. In actual fact, she rather detests Isabelle-Marie for not having such beauty as herself or Patrice. At a point in the story, Louise notices a vein bulging on her neck she makes a great commotion about such a small thing, referring it as "a viper". After realising that it was a sign of aging and not being able to hide it with makeup, she tries to avoid it. After marrying to an attractive man Lanz, he takes advantage of her and takes over her wealth, which often left Patrice alone and heartbroken.
             Handsome Patrice, who was always admired by everyone, being perfect in every way had always left her sister jealousy. However, he lacked a normal being's mental ability, which was always meant to be ignored from his caretaker. His appearance and looks was the only thing thought by his mother. Since then Patrice cherishes this quality in the same manner as his mother. He often takes the time to stare at his body in the mirror or view his reflection in the water. This is one of the only things in which he possesses knowledge, and he devotes a lot of his time l
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