An enthralling historical read! The Lobotomist’s Wife is a medical infused drama set on the backdrop of 1950s America. However, the style and formatting of the story is what made this book sing. Alternating timelines kept the book feeling insightful, rather than overly heavy. Focusing on Ruth’s past and present, while weaving in the backstories of patients, brought a layer of much needed humanity to the book. While I am highlighting the positive- sections of this story are clearly upsetting due to the subject matter. Proceed with caution.
For fans of all fiction but particularly historical fiction- I definitely recommend The Lobotomist’s Wife!

Carefully written, this book encompasses fact and fiction seamlessly. Ruth Emeraldine lost her young brother who was suffering from a mental illness. She embarks on a mission to help those suffering with mental illness. While working at a facility she meets Dr. Robert Apter. He pioneers the lobotomy, otherwise labeled the "ice pick lobotomy", in which he claims to be able to help people's mental conditions with a one hour outpatient procedure. Things become uncomfortable to Ruth as she begins a study a few years down the line to see if his procedure actually works.

Part 1 begins in 1933 and we land in Part 4 in 1953. I love how the story takes us through the journey of this experimental medical treatment. I have heard of it and thought I had an understanding of it but after reading this book it brought it to life for me. I became interested in hearing more about it the more I read. Ruth and Robert Apter are well created characters as well as the others in the story.

We have closure in the end although I will say that a small portion of the ending is subject to interpretation regarding the relationship between some of the characters. Wonderful story, well put together and enjoyable to read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing ​and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
The Lobotomist's Wife provides an intriguing historical perspective of the development of the lobotomy. While the characters are fictional, an author's note at the conclusion discusses the real life individuals she brought to life. I couldn't put it down and finished the story in twenty-four hours. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, although I'm glad that I didn't pay too much attention to the blurb, as it spoils way too much of the plot already in my opinion. The topic itself, psychology and neurobiology in the 20th century, was super interesting, well portrayed and I learned a lot.

I liked watching the story unfold from Ruth's perspective, as I found her very likeable, and i think the story was told in a way that allowed the reader to see the cracks under the surface before Ruth quite realised they were there. As her story slowly intertwined with Margaret's, the tension started to build and I liked the way the story was concluded.

The Lobotomist’s Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff. Pub Date: February 1, 2022. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5. When it comes to the historical fiction genre, I am always drawn to books in which I learn something. In The Lobotomist’s Wife, the reader is immersed in the beginnings of lobotomy surgeries, mental health institutions and what appeared to be a miracle cure procedure that turned into a horrifying experience for multiple patients. Within this novel is a strong female who shows compassion and courage whilst on a mission to normalize mental health. I recommend this novel! Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. @netgalley #netgalley #lakeunionpublishing #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookworm #igreads #thelobotomistswife #samanthagreenewoodruff

Fascinating look at the development of lobotomy surgery from a historical perspective. The characters of Ruth and Robert, their shared devotion to psychology and helping patients deal with their mental problems make for an intriguing book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The lobotomist's wife is about Ruth Emeraldine and her husband Robert. Robert is a research scientist who helped to pioneer the lobotomy in the US. He figured out how to make the lobotomy into the "ice pick" procedure we all know about now. In the beginning, Ruth thought Robert was a genius and was completely on his side-- but after so many well-respected individuals bring up concerns, Ruth has no choice but to do whatever it takes to stop her husband.

My biggest problem with this book is that it was just way too long. Even though it was a shorter story, it still was too long. This story would have been really successful as a novella that alternated chapters between Ruth and Margaret. It would have kept up the pace of the story and also got us to the big climax at a much more reasonable time. As written, the climax didn't happen until the last 10% of the book and it should have happened much sooner.

There are parts of this book that I definitely enjoyed, but I think it was just average for me. I'm interested in seeing what else Woodruff writes in the future-- she has a lot of potential. This one just didn't quite do it for me.

𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨!

I was completely fascinated by this story, and more after I found out it was based on true life events. The Lobotomist’s Wife is a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat from start to finish, it was impossible to put down.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours and Lake Union Authors for this gifted copy.

The Lobotomist’s Wife by Sam G Woodruff Author released February 1, 2022.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

This book is a really interesting historical fictional interpretation of the treatment of mental illness with a lobotomy. Ruth is a young woman whose family has been impacted by mental illness when her brother struggles after WW1. She and her family own a hospital to help mental illness patients, and after meeting Dr. Robert Apter, and eventually marrying him, they start to investigate and use the new and exciting lobotomy treatment. Robert is all in and begins to grow the lobotomy practice, but Ruth starts to look at the treatment through a new perspective and does a little investigating on her own.

While the book was interesting at times, it was also really slow moving for me. The first half of the book took forever to get through. It definitely felt unedited. I was very confused by Edward. At no point in the book did I suspect he might be gay, and towards the end Stephan is mentioned, and “coming home” - implying that they live together, but then in the epilogue he lives with Ruth? Maybe I would have liked this more if I was a big historical fiction lover, but it just felt like there was something missing and I couldn’t stop thinking how much better it would be if it had been a thriller.

This wasn't really my thing?

I appreciate the historical research done by the author, but often times this book felt disjointed. Sometimes scenes were so descriptive and lush, and then other times I felt the writing was quite simplified and dull.. There's something disjointive about this book that I can't quite put my finger on...

Also, not quite on topic, I really don't enjoy the title! There are too many 'The ___'s Wife' books out there and though the cover art is beautiful, for the story that's in this it could have done with something stronger and more unique.

I've got a lot of thoughts I'll need to come back on with this book, it left me a little dissatisfied despite the fact I read it quite quickly.

This is such a gripping story based on real life events. I loved how the author brought these characters to life and enjoyed this story start to finish. I can't wait to read more from this author.

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.

An interesting look at a time when mental illness was treated very differently than they do now. This book reminded me exactly why I love reading historical fiction. Easy 5 stars.

This was a very interesting and well-written depiction of how mental health issues were treated for a time in the last century. The wife in the story is amazingly supportive of the treatment of lobotomy at first, but once she realizes the truth is when we see real growth in her character. Her husband, the doctor, is based on a real doctor and is using the technique to "cure" a variety of mental illnesses never seeing the damage being done. This a fascinating topic and one I've always been curious about. It makes me very grateful for advances in modern medicine.

This book caught my attention right away from just the title. I find any strange medical procedures quite interesting, so I figured this book would be right up my alley. This book didn't disappoint, obviously from the title you knew it was about someone married to a Lobotomist, but it was very interesting and kept my attention all throughout the book as I had to know how it was going to end. Obviously a lobotomy was a super messed up practice back in the day and this book solidified why it was such a horrible practice. I love the story of Ruth and her journey as she pieces it all together what her husband is really up to. Special thanks to NetGalley and Samantha Green Woodruff for allowing me to read and reivew this book.

The Lobotomist's Wife
Author, Samantha Greene Woodruff
Pub date: 2.1.22

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours, @samgwoodruffauthor, @netgalley, and #lakeunionpublishing for my gifted #earc!

The Lobotomist's Wife is a dramatic and suspenseful historical fiction novel that is inspired by a barbaric and unconventional time in medical history regarding the treatment of mental illness from the mid- 1930's to the mid 1950's- the lobotomy.

A lobotomy is a form of psychosurgery that essentially disconnected the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for cognitive behavior, personality, decision making, and social behavior, from the brain. It was believed to be the miracle cure for impulsivity and aggression for severe mental illness at the time.

The Lobotomist's Wife is an intimate look at the life and practices of the charismatic, but eccentric and narcissistic man, who performed these cutting- edge, but radical "ice- pick" lobotomies and of the determined and compassionate wife, who initially supported his cause, but later came to be the reason that Dr. Robert Apter was no longer allowed to perform this unconventional procedure.

Ruth Emeraldine Apter is an American heiress and trailblazing woman, who is the second woman in charge at Emeraldine Mental Hospital. Ever since her brother Harry came home from the war and suffered severely with PTSD, Ruth made it her mission to care and provide the best treatments for the mentally ill. When she met and fell in love with Robert, together they worked to provide this ground- breaking lobotomy to help those who were suffering.

But as time passes and Ruth becomes immersed in her own work, she neglects to see that Robert's surgical outcomes and long- term results aren't as they should be... Not to mention, he is treating patients who can be treated successfully with much less drastic means... As Robert spirals out of control, Ruth may be the only one who can safely stop him and protect their patients. After all, that is her only goal.

The Lobotomist's Wife is a powerful and eye- opening debut novel about perseverance, ambition, and justice. Amazingly researched with strong characters, it is one I will think about for some time! Fascinating and absolutely thrilling! 4.5 stars!

I don’t typically read historical fiction. However this title intrigued me as someone with a psych degree and interest in medical responses to mental illnesses. I particularly enjoyed getting to learn some of the actual history of the lobotomy and it’s rise and fall as a medical breakthrough from a particularly rare perspective, the wife of the person making the breakthrough. I also enjoyed the storyline of Ruth moving through the grief of losing her brother through out the book.

Some of my favorite excerpts
Chapter 14
Ruth held tight to her husband, her anger at his recklessness transforming into appreciation for his unflappable confidence and unbridled genius. He was right; they didn’t need her father’s support. They had each other, and together, they were going to change the world.

Seeing Ruth and her husband really standing together against her dad (as head of the hospital board) was really intriguing to have such a strong response to her dad later becoming a huge point of concern.

Chapter 36
“Forgive me for saying so, but in my experience, 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.” Ruth smiled reassuringly and Margaret wondered if she could possibly do this. Simply accept herself as she was. It seemed impossible.

Ruth makes an excellent advocate for mental health and specifically women’s mental health and having this advocacy between her and Margaret is great to see.
Epilogue
She now understood what she wished she had known decades before, when Harry was alive: for some maladies, there is simply no cure. Sometimes, the best you can do for someone is to stand beside them, appreciate their strength, and acknowledge their pain.

as I mentioned getting to see Ruth heal herself and others in the name of her brother was definitely my favorite part of this book.

The book is an emotional rollercoaster. There is a slow pace to the plot initially but we’ll worth persevering.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the e-ARC of The Lobotomist's Wife written by Samantha Greene Woodruff. This fascinating historical novel is based loosely on the real story of a psychiatrist named Walter Freeman. In 1946, Dr. Freeman introduced a radical treatment , the ice pick lobotomy, to the mental health field. The novel explores the fictional Dr. Robert Apter and his intelligent and compassionate wife Ruth Emeraldine, who is the Administrator of the a progressive mental health facility. The barbaric procedure was initially thought to be helpful for those patients with strong violent outbursts that would endanger themselves and others. The novel examines when a doctor focuses on his own desires to be immortalized and ignores the needs of the his patients. I found the book to be a compelling, fast and informative read. #NetGalley