The Lobotomist's Wife

A Novel

By: Samantha Greene Woodruff

Narrated by: 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.

Critic reviews

“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.

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.

very interesting story

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