The Lobotomist's Wife

Samantha Greene Woodruff

2022 • 305 pages

Ratings3

Average rating4

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.
*- Provided by Publisher*

Want to edit this book?Become a Librarian

Moods

Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

Nicole Young

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 Stars= It was an excellent and near perfect read. I would read it again.

TRIGGER WARNING: LOBOTOMIES, MENTAL ILLNESS, SUICIDE (off page), MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUATIONS IN THE 1930s,1940s, and 1950s

POV: Multiple, Third PersonSeries/Standalone: StandalonePart of an series: NoSafe or Dark: Overall safe but with sensitive subject matter

February 5, 2024

Stacey Wright

Ruth being the extraordinary woman she is, dedicated her life, much to her parents chagrin, to the care for patients with varying degrees of mental health issues. Her dedication stemming from the mental health challenges her deceased brother faced after the war....

While running her family's private hospital, she hires Dr. Robert Apter, she finds herself drawn to his charisma and his passionate needs to cure mental health issues that mirror her own.
Ruth finds herself falling in love with Dr. Apter and the set about marrying and revolutionizing care for those with no other treatment options. Things go well for years as Robert builds a reputation for his lobotomy procedures, being called all over the country to perform them.
A chance meeting of a long term patient has Ruth questioning the effectiveness of lobotomies on Robert's patients and it sets her on a path she never wanted to be on. Can she find the truth about what he has been up to before it is too late?

I found this book gripping! The whole premise of a woman high up in the medical establishment and putting her family money to good use, only to find herself not so infallible to a mans charms that she is blinded by her love.
I loved the dynamic of a work home life for the married couple. Ruth with her tender heart and compassion, made me feel like I was reading about a dear friend. You can see why she fell in love with Robert and why things were missed that she would have caught had she not been romantically invested in him.

The book brings to light the harsh realities of what passed for medical treatment in the early 1930's for people suffering with a mental health disorder. Lobotomies were, at the time, considered pioneering in the medical field until the data just didn't add up and it was ultimately stopped. Doctors like Apter are actually very common when the ego and reputation does more harm that good.

The author did a smashing job of bringing all the characters to life. The book was well rounded, fascinating to read and I felt engaged the whole way through! Nothing was left unanswered and I felt the story really was breathtaking in its execution. Flawless research, very well done.

If you are looking for a book with solid bones that you can't put down, then this is the one for you.

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.