Book Review: The Lobotomist’s Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff

I first picked up The Lobotomist’s Wife, because I was captivated by its intriguing synopsis and fascinating subject matter.

The promise of a historical novel intertwined with psychological thrills had me eagerly anticipating a gripping read.

However, I found myself extremely disappointed as I delved into the first ten chapters. Instead of the psychological thriller I was expecting, the initial chapters felt more like a love story, focusing heavily on the feelings of the main character, Ruth Emeraldine, for the antagonist, Robert Apter.

I usually avoid romantic novels, regardless of how well they are written. In this particular book, the romantic elements overshadowed the darker, more suspenseful aspects of the plot that I was eagerly anticipating. It got to the point where I almost gave up on the book entirely. However, I decided to persevere and continue reading, even though it started to feel like a chore.

It wasn’t until after the first 10-11 chapters that the story truly began to capture my interest. Once the main plot took off, the novel transformed into the compelling psychological thriller I had hoped for, with Ruth’s growing suspicions about Robert’s reckless medical practices adding a layer of tension and urgency.

Unfortunately, The Lobotomist’s Wife starts off too slowly with a focus on romance. For me it took too long to evolve into the gripping and thought-provoking thriller it should have been. Had Samantha Greene Woodruff devoted less time to the romance in the initial chapters, this novel could have been engaging and unsettling right from the beginning.

With a subject matter that sheds light on a dark chapter in medical history, the writer unfortunately failed to deliver a consistently engaging narrative. I believe the writer has potential but needs to grow to deliver a more balanced and captivating story throughout.

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