In this heartfelt memoir from one of the youngest recipients of the transorbital lobotamy, Howard Dully shares the story of a painfully dysfunctional childhood, a misspent youth, his struggle to claim the life that was taken from him, and his redemption.At twelve, Howard Dully was guilty of the same crimes as other boys his age: he was moody and messy, rambunctious with his brothers, contrary … his brothers, contrary just to prove a point, and perpetually at odds with his parents. Yet somehow, this normal boy became one of the youngest people on whom Dr. Walter Freeman performed his barbaric transorbital—or ice pick—lobotomy.
Abandoned by his family within a year of the surgery, Howard spent his teen years in mental institutions, his twenties in jail, and his thirties in a bottle. It wasn’t until he was in his forties that Howard began to pull his life together. But even as he began to live the “normal” life he had been denied, Howard struggled with one question: Why?
There were only three people who would know the truth: Freeman, the man who performed the procedure; Lou, his cold and demanding stepmother who brought Howard to the doctor’s attention; and his father, Rodney. Of the three, only Rodney, the man who hadn’t intervened on his son’s behalf, was still living. Time was running out. Stable and happy for the first time in decades, Howard began to search for answers.
Through his research, Howard met other lobotomy patients and their families, talked with one of Freeman’s sons about his father’s controversial life’s work, and confronted Rodney about his complicity. And, in the archive where the doctor’s files are stored, he finally came face to face with the truth.
Revealing what happened to a child no one—not his father, not the medical community, not the state—was willing to protect, My Lobotomy exposes a shameful chapter in the history of the treatment of mental illness. Yet, ultimately, this is a powerful and moving chronicle of the life of one man.
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Sounds intense. Listened to Howard Dully on ‘All Things Considered’, now I need to read this. http://www.npr.org/2005/11/16/5014080/my-lobotomy-howard-dullys-journey
A very readable account of a very disturbing and sad childhood and misguided medicine.
This was an interesting book, though, at times, it was hard to follow the story line. It did cause me to look up what a lobotomy is and more about the story. It is a sad tale of a broken family and what happened to the author as a result.
After reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as an introduction to a lobotomy, I was in awe of the author expressing himself as he did. The idea of the physical procedure being allowed was unbelievable. I usually read mysteries and suspense novels so was amazed at myself as to how this book intrigued me and kept me reading all night.
a tragic story that needed to be told. took great courage and strength to relive and write all the unjust and heart=wrenching events in his life.
I had a hard time getting started with this book. I am so glad I finished it. What a tragic life Howard had. Mental health is still a huge issue that we need to address more. How different Howard’s life would have been with a loving family and support from child protection and advocacy.
Not what I expected.
Appalling what some people did.
When you have not lived through his journey, it is interesting to read about it.
This is the story of a young boy, whose step-mother cannot “deal” with his behavior. She takes him to a psychiatrist who recommends a frontal lobotomy. It is scary when one realizes that children who were “behavior problems” were treated this way, only 70-75 years ago.
I found this book very interesting, there is something is wrong with a twelve year old boy receiving a lobotomy. It’s great to read a true story, and this one is very true. Read the book and you will find it an easy read.
Very sad story about a boy that just wants to be loved. His struggles and what was done to him were tragic.
Sad
The term “lobotomy” became real while reading this book. Not a great read but certainly an interesting one. I’m glad it crossed my path.
Enlightening and well written. An eye opener as to the care given to the mentally ill population or behavioral problems in that era.
This was an excellent read about a procedure that fortunately is no longer done. This boy/man was tortured in one way or another throughout his life by various people and did not find happiness until much later in life. He was often a victim because of a needless operation.
An honest look into the world of mental illness and the treatments, at one time.
Amazing story…so riveting I consumed it in a 24 hour period! This is somewhat unlike me since I often have difficulty getting through an entire book due to distractions and inability to sit still. If you have any interest in the history of medicine, don’t miss this one!
I finished this book because I have the habit of finishing what I start. The book, I thought, was plodding & repetitive. The history of lobotomy & the reason why the boy (the author) was lobotomized were interesting enough. The telling of the story of Howard’s childhood did inform the reason for the procedure. But he goes a bit too much into his …
Interesting with a nice twist at the end.