THE LOBOTOMIST'S WIFE by Samantha Greene Woodruff - Review & Giveaway

 

I picked up the novel, THE LOBOTOMIST'S WIFE (LakeUnion) by debut author, Samantha Greene Woodruff initially with some trepidation, but once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Yes, it's about that - lobotomies - the pick in the eye thing, but it's so much more. Greene Woodruff weaves together a historically accurate narrative about Dr. Walter Freeman's introduction of the - lobotomy, which became the "ice pick" through the eye socket technique. He performed it on hundreds of patients suffering from migraines to depression, and more than half women. At that time in history, women were basically kept silent, unable to speak for themselves. 

Taken from this shocking chapter in medical history, 1936-1950s, THE LOBOTOMIST'S WIFE tells the story of a courageous woman, the doctor's wife, who is at first in awe of Freeman but realizes he's nothing more than an egotistical madman. THE LOBOTOMIST'S WIFE is a compelling story which highlights how the medical establishment's goal to make a "treatment" faster, more efficient miracle, if not monitored, can turn out to be a curse and how the best of intentions, can result in horror. 

The takeaway for me from THE LOBOTOMIST'S WIFE is the struggle, particularly for women to speak up for themselves, to be true to themselves and to fit in despite society's oppressive norms. The novel is certainly timely considering what women are facing legally today in healthcare, a majority of older white men deciding the fate of women's bodies. This is another example of how the more the way things supposedly change, they seem to remain the same.

Samantha Greene Woodruff has a BA in history from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. The Lobotomist's Wife is her first novel, and she is already at work on her next historical fiction book.

Thanks to Wunderkind PR and Chick Lit Central we have one copy to giveaway. Just tell us the most outrageous situation you have faced in healthcare. We'll announce a winner soon. Good luck.

GIVEAWAY: USA only please.

Review of THE LOBOTOMIST'S WIFE first post at

http://chicklitcentral.com/2022/06/book-review-lobotomists-wife.html