Historical

The Lobotomist's Wife

The Lobotomist's Wife

  • Downloads：5963
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-01-05 08:20:59
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Samantha Greene Woodruff
  • ISBN：B096RXSMX8
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Reviews

Cassie’s Reviews ，

This was such a fascinating read！！ Based on the real-life story of Walter Freeman， the inventor of the ice pick lobotomy！ 。 When Ruths brother dies from suicide after suffering from PTSD form the war。 Ruth makes it her mission to help people who are suffering from mental illness。 Ruth is a successful hospital administrator and she’s working in a mans world。 Her life changes when she falls in love with Robert Apter a charismatic doctor whose pushing the use of a radical new treatment， the lobotom This was such a fascinating read！！ Based on the real-life story of Walter Freeman， the inventor of the ice pick lobotomy！ 。 When Ruths brother dies from suicide after suffering from PTSD form the war。 Ruth makes it her mission to help people who are suffering from mental illness。 Ruth is a successful hospital administrator and she’s working in a mans world。 Her life changes when she falls in love with Robert Apter a charismatic doctor whose pushing the use of a radical new treatment， the lobotomy。 Ruth believes it may be a miracle treatment especially when her husband has such faith in it。 Soon she sees a change in her husband and Robert appears to be operating recklessly and the results are horrifying。 Margaret Baxter is a young mother who struggles just to get out of her bed to care for her new baby。 Doctor Apter diagnosis her with “baby blues” and believes what willfix her is a lobotomy。 Trusting the doctor Margaret believes this is the answer。 Ruth can’t let her husband hurt Margaret or anyone else and believes she’s the only person that can save these innocent people！ I truly enjoyed this book but at the same time was horrified this could happen。 Four stars！ 。。。more

Miss ，

DullI read about a quarter and was so bored I flipped forward but it was still dull。 The most engaging part was the prelude。 The book would probably have been more interesting if it focused on Margaret instead of Ruth， or if Ruth had been a more interesting character。 I expected a grittier novel from the subject matter。 Perhaps more suited to people who enjoy reading romance novels， a romance that goes wrong。 I prefer novels where the characters have depth。The lead in was too long。 We already kn DullI read about a quarter and was so bored I flipped forward but it was still dull。 The most engaging part was the prelude。 The book would probably have been more interesting if it focused on Margaret instead of Ruth， or if Ruth had been a more interesting character。 I expected a grittier novel from the subject matter。 Perhaps more suited to people who enjoy reading romance novels， a romance that goes wrong。 I prefer novels where the characters have depth。The lead in was too long。 We already know where the stories heading from the blurb。 By choosing Ruth as the narrator there were missed opportunities to describe events instead of just telling us they happened。 For example describing the talks given at the conference or describing Roberts lectures and demonstrations in action。 These would have created more interest and added depth。 。。。more

The Rainbow Zebra ，

Shocking page in Medical historyAs a person who has mental health issues （including postpartum depression）， reading this tale of medical history was both gripping and horrifying。 This novel is very much based on fact （Check out the article on lobotomies on Wikipedia）。 While I would have liked to have read more about the patients， Woodruff's book kept me up until the dramatic finish。 Shocking page in Medical historyAs a person who has mental health issues （including postpartum depression）， reading this tale of medical history was both gripping and horrifying。 This novel is very much based on fact （Check out the article on lobotomies on Wikipedia）。 While I would have liked to have read more about the patients， Woodruff's book kept me up until the dramatic finish。 。。。more

Darcia Helle ，

The Lobotomist’s Wife is like a puzzle with all the right pieces， but the resulting image is slightly out of focus。Based on the real-life story of Walter Freeman， the inventor of the ice pick lobotomy， this is a chilling look at how good intentions can go horribly wrong when ego gets in the way。The book opens in 1952， with Margaret， a woman who’s suffering intense postpartum depression。 Her story fascinated me。 Unfortunately， we see little of her throughout the book。We immediately drop back to t The Lobotomist’s Wife is like a puzzle with all the right pieces， but the resulting image is slightly out of focus。Based on the real-life story of Walter Freeman， the inventor of the ice pick lobotomy， this is a chilling look at how good intentions can go horribly wrong when ego gets in the way。The book opens in 1952， with Margaret， a woman who’s suffering intense postpartum depression。 Her story fascinated me。 Unfortunately， we see little of her throughout the book。We immediately drop back to the 1930s， and from there we stick mostly with Ruth， the soon-to-be lobotomist’s wife。 The early part of the book is a romance， albeit an unconventional one for the time， with Ruth being an independent woman fascinated by psychology and neurology， slowly falling in love with the new doctor at the asylum where she works。 Later， after the courtship and wedding， we move into her and her husband’s pursuit of a cure for mental illness。While the story was interesting， I found the writing to be more of an intellectual exercise than an emotional experience。*This was my Kindle First Reads choice for January。* 。。。more

BreeAnn （She Just Loves Books） ，

When I hear the word "lobotomy" my skin crawls a bit。 I didn't really know the history of the procedure， so I was really interested in reading this book！ I felt that the research was amazing， and really gave me great insight into this history。Ruth is a woman working in a man's world， so already my attention was captured with this one。 As she falls in love with Robert， we learn about the new procedure he thinks will revolutionize mental health。 As time goes on though， Ruth begins to see concernin When I hear the word "lobotomy" my skin crawls a bit。 I didn't really know the history of the procedure， so I was really interested in reading this book！ I felt that the research was amazing， and really gave me great insight into this history。Ruth is a woman working in a man's world， so already my attention was captured with this one。 As she falls in love with Robert， we learn about the new procedure he thinks will revolutionize mental health。 As time goes on though， Ruth begins to see concerning behavior and doubts the safety of his actions。Ruth befriends Margaret a woman with post-partum depression during this story。 I really enjoyed their friendship， and the importance of Ruth's strength to help save Margaret。 Ruth's character had wonderful development as this story progressed， and her friendship with Margaret really helped to show Ruth's growth throughout the story。 Truly all the characters in this were wonderfully written。 They were vividly described and given great personalities that made this one hard to put down。Overall， I thought this was an amazing story， and I would definitely recommend for readers that enjoy historical fiction and medical storylines！I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free。 I am leaving my review voluntarily。 。。。more

Scott J Pearson ，

For a period of time， lobotomy was the go-to treatment for psychiatry。 It involved disabling the frontal lobes of the brain with the hopes of averting psychiatric symptoms。 If “disabling the frontal lobes of the brain” sounds scary to you， it is to me， too。 Over time， bad outcomes were chronicled， and lobotomy was eventually relegated to the historical record （much like other equally scary psychological treatments）。 However， in this book， Greene Woodruff brings frighteningly real history to life For a period of time， lobotomy was the go-to treatment for psychiatry。 It involved disabling the frontal lobes of the brain with the hopes of averting psychiatric symptoms。 If “disabling the frontal lobes of the brain” sounds scary to you， it is to me， too。 Over time， bad outcomes were chronicled， and lobotomy was eventually relegated to the historical record （much like other equally scary psychological treatments）。 However， in this book， Greene Woodruff brings frighteningly real history to life – entertaining and educating along the way。The main character Dr。 Robert Apter is loosely based on the historical figure of Walter Freeman II。 Robert pioneered this treatment which first seemed markedly helpful to patients。 His wife Ruth bonded with him over hope for this treatment。 However， over time， Robert’s ambition seemed to overtake him， and both Robert and Ruth became blinded to harmful effects。 In this novel， these tensions resolve in an intriguing manner。Obviously， this book deals with the topic of medical and psychological ethics。 It is staged in the early twentieth century， before the development of psychiatric drugs。 （Of course， over-medicating patients might be seen as a new lobotomy， too。） Dealing with psychological pain is and will remain a central part of the human experience; Greene Woodruff shows us that it should be dealt with through empathy， not ambition。 The author， herself a daughter of two therapists， brings this character trait and motif to life in an all-too-real narrative。Those involved in psychological and psychiatric care – whether clinicians or patients – can benefit from thinking through Greene Woodruff’s storytelling。 For some reason， stigma around mental health remains a part of modern society， and seeing the historical record frankly might demystify some of these concepts。 Further， it can remind all those involved in healthcare that critical reflection over the “good” done by one’s work is always needed。 Ambition should never triumph over empathy and reason。 I’m grateful that this theme engaged my mind as I engaged with this suspenseful and interesting book。 。。。more

Jenn Krebs ，

Really interesting。。。historical fiction expanded

Kim Peach ，

'Life doesn’t often unfold as it ‘should。’ Instead， we need to learn to make the best of what it is。 Even in the hard times。' I received this book through Amazon First Reads and I was surprised to learn that it is a debut novel as it is very well written。 However， I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it was not a historical fiction。 If the characters Robert Apter and Edward Wilkinson were just inspired by real life， Walter Freeman II and Dr。 James Watts， rather than completely b 'Life doesn’t often unfold as it ‘should。’ Instead， we need to learn to make the best of what it is。 Even in the hard times。' I received this book through Amazon First Reads and I was surprised to learn that it is a debut novel as it is very well written。 However， I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it was not a historical fiction。 If the characters Robert Apter and Edward Wilkinson were just inspired by real life， Walter Freeman II and Dr。 James Watts， rather than completely based on， I think it would have created a more intriguing prose。 The issue for me was that part way reading this book， I had to stop because I was thinking， I have heard this story before and after a brief Internet search， I realised I am reading about Freeman and Watts life story， which I recently heard about in a podcast。 Author， Samantha Greene Woodruff， does explain her inspiration and reasons for writing， at the end of the book - She read about Freeman， but when researching his actual wife， realised she did not fit the narrative of the story Woodruff wanted to portray， and thus， Ruth was born。 This book half wants to tell the real life story of Freeman whilst also trying to be very much fictional。 The balance is not quite right between fact and fiction， and it disrupted the flow of the story for me。On the other hand， I do not want to criticise this book too much because it does not deserve it。 It is very well written， and it is such an easy read。 I got through it in a couple of hours， and I did not want to put it down。 I really enjoyed the character progression， and I loved that Ruth was not written as a typical housewife for that time， there is so much depth to her and the journey that leads to her realisation。 I also think the way that the real and shocking history of lobotomy is written about， in the sense of Ruth's journey with it， is very well done。 I would recommend this book; it is an interesting read。 。。。more

Nicole Paull ，

Slow startIt took me a little while to really get into it but once I did I couldn't stop reading until the end。 Slow startIt took me a little while to really get into it but once I did I couldn't stop reading until the end。 。。。more

Sarah ，

For my full review， visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks。wordpress。com/。。。This was such a fascinating read on a topic that I know very little about。 For a debut novel， this was an immersive story that I found grew more compelling， the further along I read。 For my full review， visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks。wordpress。com/。。。This was such a fascinating read on a topic that I know very little about。 For a debut novel， this was an immersive story that I found grew more compelling， the further along I read。 。。。more

Chloe ，

Excellent Debut！I absolutely loved this book and did not want to put it down！ Such an interesting， often factual， representation of a medical procedure that at it’s dawn was viewed as a miracle for so many people who suffered from varying degrees of psychosis。 While much of the history surrounding the lobotomy procedure that is described in this book is accurate， this is a historical fiction about Dr。 Robert Apter， a character loosely based on the very real doctor who was responsible for develo Excellent Debut！I absolutely loved this book and did not want to put it down！ Such an interesting， often factual， representation of a medical procedure that at it’s dawn was viewed as a miracle for so many people who suffered from varying degrees of psychosis。 While much of the history surrounding the lobotomy procedure that is described in this book is accurate， this is a historical fiction about Dr。 Robert Apter， a character loosely based on the very real doctor who was responsible for developing and performing the lobotomy procedure in the U。S。Ruth Emeraldine， a successful hospital administrator， is a thirty-something who years before lost her brother to what we now know as PTSD after he returned from WWI。 It should be mentioned that not only does she work at the hospital， but the facility is also overseen by a board led by her affluent father， who -from Ruth’s perspective- has never seemed to be very impressed by or supportive of her。 Passionate about her many ward’s health and overall well-being Ruth spends her days visiting with the residents of the hospital， overseeing their treatment and care。 Enter Dr。 Apter， a confident and charismatic psychoanalyst。 The two find they have a mutual desire to help their patients whom are struggling with mental illness， and eventually find that they also have romantic feelings for one another and marry。The story continues throughout the development and implementation of the radical procedure which， at first， is deemed wildly successful。 However， years later， Ruth begins to learn that Dr。 Apter has lost sight of health risks vs。 benefits when it comes to the treatment of those whom are placed in his care， and what began as a medical revelation she now views as inhumane， even murderous。 Not only must Ruth come to terms with the monster her husband has become， she also must reconcile with her own involvement that permitted the lobotomy to go on to be performed on thousands of people， ruining many lives。 。。。more

Kelly Dunsmore ，

I love that I started my New Year with this book！ Ruth is such a strong and caring character and this book is so important in the discussion of mental health。ETA: On the author's website there is a timeline of fiction vs facts in the novel。 I was so impressed about how real the book was and based on fact。 That makes the book even more impressive IMO。 I adore this book。 I love that I started my New Year with this book！ Ruth is such a strong and caring character and this book is so important in the discussion of mental health。ETA: On the author's website there is a timeline of fiction vs facts in the novel。 I was so impressed about how real the book was and based on fact。 That makes the book even more impressive IMO。 I adore this book。 。。。more

Linda Galella ，

Based on real people and historical events， this novel will have you flipping pages and being thankful for the advancements in psychiatric medicine。Lobotomy was an horror in the world of psychiatry。 It did minimal good to very few and for a brief prolific time it was a “standard of care” taken to hyperbole by first time novelist， Samantha Greene Woodruff。 Her historical research is good and with the exception of a few slips in the narrative， （a reference to being “triggered” and decompensating）， Based on real people and historical events， this novel will have you flipping pages and being thankful for the advancements in psychiatric medicine。Lobotomy was an horror in the world of psychiatry。 It did minimal good to very few and for a brief prolific time it was a “standard of care” taken to hyperbole by first time novelist， Samantha Greene Woodruff。 Her historical research is good and with the exception of a few slips in the narrative， （a reference to being “triggered” and decompensating）， the book feels accurate for time and place。POV is thru the eyes of Ruth， a wealthy young woman who’s dedicated her life to helping mentally ill patients after the suicide of her only brother。 She’s partially estranged from her parents but trying to earn their approval。 She is 2nd in command at a private mental hospital and completely dedicated to its cause， completely ignoring her own life。 Then she meets Robert， hires him and off we go into a fictionalization of a true medical horror story。Woodruff is deft at character development， dialogue and storytelling。 It was ever so refreshing to read a new author who refrained from using foul language， excessive violence and sexual content。 Kudos！ The story spans 20 years and is broken down into 4 main sections， all clearly noted。 Pay attention to Margaret and her brief interludes along the way…You’ll also want to take the time to read the author’s notes at the end of the book。 In fact， I’d recommend reading them prior to starting the story。 My only critique is that the ending should have been a bit more robust and developed; the notes help。A fine new author and historical fiction offering to begin 2022 - Happy First Reads！ 。。。more

Here for the Happily Ever After ，

The Lobotomist’s Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff⭐⭐⭐⭐。5This was a phenomenal debut。 Based on what should be fiction， Woodruff’s amazing attention to detail and impeccable world-building transports the reader back to mid-century， placing them in a story so fascinating – and horrifying – that it’s jarring to think it’s based on real-life events。 I loved the fierce independence of Ruth and her devotion to humanizing and respecting patients struggling with mental health – something still so relevant The Lobotomist’s Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff⭐⭐⭐⭐。5This was a phenomenal debut。 Based on what should be fiction， Woodruff’s amazing attention to detail and impeccable world-building transports the reader back to mid-century， placing them in a story so fascinating – and horrifying – that it’s jarring to think it’s based on real-life events。 I loved the fierce independence of Ruth and her devotion to humanizing and respecting patients struggling with mental health – something still so relevant today。 Woodruff crafted a suspenseful tale with perfect pacing， weaving together Ruth and Margaret’s story in a believable way and ultimately pushing Ruth to make a decision only few would have the strength to make。 I also loved how vividly and realistically she tackled the struggles so many women have with post-partum depression。 This was the first non-romance book I read in almost a year， and it has drawn me back into historical fiction for which I’m thankful。 。。。more

Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews ，

FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 4。Ruth has always been a strong woman and an advocate for the mentally ill since her brother committed suicide。When she met Dr。 Robert Apter， she thought he had a procedure that could help those with mental illnesses。Ruth fell in love with Dr。 Apter， they married， and worked together。 Ruth was onboard until she realized the new treatment - a lobotomy - was harming more patients than helping them。THE LOBOTOMIST’S WIFE brings to light the extreme treatments that wer FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 4。Ruth has always been a strong woman and an advocate for the mentally ill since her brother committed suicide。When she met Dr。 Robert Apter， she thought he had a procedure that could help those with mental illnesses。Ruth fell in love with Dr。 Apter， they married， and worked together。 Ruth was onboard until she realized the new treatment - a lobotomy - was harming more patients than helping them。THE LOBOTOMIST’S WIFE brings to light the extreme treatments that were used in the early 1930’s for treating the mentally ill。 This book was interesting， well researched， intense， and based on real people and events。If you are a fan of medical treatments and historical fiction， you should enjoy this book。 4/5This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review。 。。。more

Ashley Sickora ，

Samantha Greene has delivered a gripping suspenseful thriller！ It really is shocking just knowing the kinds of things that went on back then but to actually read about it makes it even more shocking！ But having Could you imagine being in a position thinking you are saving peoples lives only to realize that you have been doing the opposite？ Would you be able to stand up and say something？ We don’t live in that era anymore but I would hope that I would be able to！ I couldn’t turn the pages fast en Samantha Greene has delivered a gripping suspenseful thriller！ It really is shocking just knowing the kinds of things that went on back then but to actually read about it makes it even more shocking！ But having Could you imagine being in a position thinking you are saving peoples lives only to realize that you have been doing the opposite？ Would you be able to stand up and say something？ We don’t live in that era anymore but I would hope that I would be able to！ I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough！ From the first to the last page I was hooked！ 。。。more

gwendalyn _books_ ，

An enthralling historical novel of a compassionate and relentless woman， a cutting-edge breakthrough in psychiatry， and a nightmare in the making。Since her brother took his life after WWI， Ruth Emeraldine has had one goal: to help those suffering from mental illness。 Then she falls in love with charismatic Robert Apter—a brilliant doctor championing a radical new treatment， the lobotomy。 Ruth believes in it as a miracle treatment and in Robert as its genius pioneer。 But as her husband spirals in An enthralling historical novel of a compassionate and relentless woman， a cutting-edge breakthrough in psychiatry， and a nightmare in the making。Since her brother took his life after WWI， Ruth Emeraldine has had one goal: to help those suffering from mental illness。 Then she falls in love with charismatic Robert Apter—a brilliant doctor championing a radical new treatment， the lobotomy。 Ruth believes in it as a miracle treatment and in Robert as its genius pioneer。 But as her husband spirals into deluded megalomania， Ruth can’t ignore her growing suspicions。 Robert is operating on patients recklessly， often with horrific results。 And a vulnerable young mother， Margaret Baxter， is poised to be his next victim。Margaret can barely get out of bed， let alone care for her infant。 When Dr。 Apter diagnoses her with the baby blues and proposes a lobotomy， she believes the procedure is her only hope。 Only Ruth can save her—and scores of others—from the harrowing consequences of Robert’s ambitions。Inspired by a shocking chapter in medical history， The Lobotomist’s Wife is a galvanizing novel of a woman fighting against the most grievous odds， of ego， and of the best intentions gone horribly awry。 。。。more

Paulette Kennedy ，

I had the opportunity to read this phenomenal debut early and endorse it。 This is one book you won’t want to miss:Based on extraordinary real-life events， The Lobotomist’s Wife is a riveting and impressive debut that had me in its grasp from the very first page。 Samantha Greene Woodruff has crafted a suspenseful tale of good intentions gone awry that features an indomitable heroine who finds her strength and voice in the midst of harrowing circumstances。 I simply could not put it down。