Why read The Lobotomist's Wife?

Book cover of The Lobotomist's Wife

Book description

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…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Lobotomist's Wife as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Heather Frimmer

Author

There is nothing more satisfying than a well-researched story about the history of medicine.

This shocking story takes place in the mid-twentieth century and centers on Ruth, a hospital administrator whose husband invented the ice pick lobotomy for the treatment of psychiatric illness. As the surgery gains popularity, Ruth soon learns of debilitating complications from the procedure. Could the touted miracle cure be doing more harm than good?

From Heather's list on The best books about brain dysfunction.