It's all about the thrill: The Lobotomist's Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff

Release Date: February 1, 2022

About The Book:

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.

MY THOUGHTS

This book was sooo good! This is seriously one of the most interesting books I have read. It was absolutely fascinating. Can you even imagine being married to a man that performs lobotomies?? Yeah me neither!

Let's just put this out there first...we all know that HF is based around real historical events. However, after reading the author's notes...I was shocked at the amount of this book that was based on real events.

Ruth comes from a prestigious family in NYC. Her family has created a hospital to help treat patients with psychological issues. A caring family hoping to help others.

When Ruth hires on an ambitious psychiatrist named Robert...things change drastically ...first she marries him...next he created the "ice pick procedure." This was a quickie lobotomy that he could do with an ice pick anywhere...in 10 minutes...in through your eye socket and done!

Does nobody think this is a bad idea?! Well this went on for DECADES...with people from all over...letting it happen...Rose Kennedy being one.

The most alarming thing is...this is based on Walter Freeman - creator of the transorbital lobotomy...traveling in his stationwagon on " Operation Ice Pick"...only 10 minutes out of your day and you can be fixed with an ice pick to your brain.

I can't even tell you how many times I gasped while reading the author's notes at the end! The writing is absolutely wonderful. The research that she put into this is so impressive. I loved it and I can't recommend it enough!

About The Author:

Samantha Greene Woodruff has a BA in history from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. She spent most of her career telling stories to executives at MTV Networks as the senior vice president of strategy and business development and, subsequently, audience research for the Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group. After leaving corporate life, she pursued her varied passions, teaching yoga, cooking, and taking classes at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. It was here that she combined her multifaceted background with her wild imagination and passion for history, reading, and writing. The Lobotomist’s Wife is her first historical fiction novel, and she is already at work on her next book. Sam lives in southern Connecticut with her husband, two children, and two dogs.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.samanthawoodruff.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/samgwoodruffauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.woodruff.129