The Lobotomist's Wife

A Novel

De: Samantha Greene Woodruff

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

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.

©2022 Samantha Greene Woodruff. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Inspired by a genuinely shocking and quite real chapter in American medical history…a compelling and deftly written novel of a woman fighting against the most grievous odds, of ego, and of the best medical intentions gone horribly awry. …vividly and effectively narrated by Cassandra Campbell.”—Midwest Book Review

“Dramatic and compelling…”—Historical Novel Society

“Samantha’s fictionalized novel sheds light on the real-life atrocities endured by so many during a time when maladies of the mind were so misunderstood. The focus placed on mental illness in The Lobotomist’s Wife certainly make it a timely read due to the attention placed on this topic since the beginning of the pandemic. This historically-inspired story allows readers to see the progress made in the treatment of mental illness through the years.”—Hope Magazine

Picks up about half way

I enjoyed the book. It was more intriguing half way in. Definitely a worthy listen though.

Great story

Loved this story. The mix of medicine and drama in a historical novel was perfect. I never got bored and even loved the ending!

Very good but it was missing something

This book provoked many thoughts about the history of medical practice. The only thing I would have liked to hear more about is the idea of female concerns being written off, like the character, Margaret's case of the "baby blues." In the author's note it states the fact that over half the lobotomist's patients were women, but that was not really emphasized in the story itself and I think it would have tied Margaret's story into the main story a little better.

very interesting story

enjoyed the story, good performance. This was not my usual type of story but I enjoyed it.

The story itself.

I felt like this had a Dr. Frankenstein, 1950s, prefect marriage gone wrong feel. I loved everything they tied in to really make the book.

OMG!!! The narrator

I am compiling a list of narrators NEVER to listen to again............Cassandra Campbell....check!! Story was good, I enjoyed the plot but almost stopped listening because of the sing songy, nauseating voice of the narrator.

Overall enjoyed, but was a little flat at the end

*SPOILERS* This story grabbed me right from the beginning. It was interesting, and fascinating, the narrator is one of the best there is, and I couldn't wait to listen to it each day. You knew there was going to be a climactic ending, and it was, but I was so disappointed in how Ruth handled turning in her husband. She turned back into a little girl who was meant to sit in a corner and be quiet, and she didn't fight back. It also wasn't very believable, she was a hospital administrator - for years - you can't tell me that she didn't know how to suspend a Dr., or report a Dr. for any wrongdoings. The police? I am not surprised they reacted how they did, given the time period, why would she go to them? She could have gone to the Board, and I am sure drawn from the assistance of any number of colleagues for guidance - but again, as a hospital administrator, she should have (and would have in a realistic setting) known exactly how to handle a rogue Dr. She retreated back into being the weakling little girl that her parents thought she was, it was disappointing after such a long exceptional career. Also, one minor plot question, at the very, very end, in the epilogue - it says she has now converted the Carriage House into a - specifically stated - one bedroom home - where she and Edward lived together. What? You waited to reveal to the very end that Edward was gay and had a long time partner (Stephen) that he lived with - so why would he be living in a one bedroom home with Ruth? I wish I had the hard copy so I could go back and read that part again, as I feel like I must have missed something, or maybe I didn't and it was just bad editing. Minor complaints overall - I would definitely recommend the book, just a few of those caveats that I wish they had improved on.

Good historical fiction

The narration is great. The history of lobotomy is terrifying. Good story. Fast paced.

Not a fan

The lobotomist was a very good historical fiction. The author did great research on lobotomies and their beginning. The book was factual but to graphic. I dont want to know how an ice pick was inserted in an eye ball. It was not for me.

What a compelling story.

“Evil is bad that believes it is good.” Karen Marie Moning Technically, I shouldn’t have liked this book. The subject matter is heavy and depressing. But somehow, in The Lobotomist’s Wife, Samantha Greene Woodruff manages to take the dark subjects of mental illness, insanity and lobotomy and weave them into a story I could bear to read. Mainly, I loved the protagonist. Ruth Emeraldine Apter, the lobotomist’s wife, is compassionate, kind, scrupulous and smart. At first she believes her husband is on the brink of offering real help to patients suffering from severe mental disorders. Slowly it dawns on her that her beloved husband, Dr. Robert Apter, is spiraling into deluded megalomania and she, alone, has to put a stop his monstrous ice pick lobotomies. I loved this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️