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Jul 02, 2016herpwop1 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was an eye-opening memoir that made me angry. I knew that lobotomies were done on people but I didn't know that children were ever the victim. Howard's behavior seemed like a typical or energetic child's behavior, although I'm sure he had some issues surrounding his mother's death. His stepmother was abusive and blamed him for everything that upset her strict household. That a doctor would agree to do this operation on a 12 year old child whom he talked to briefly only two times is a terrible tragedy. I am happy that Howard finally was able to piece his life together and he showed a lot of courage in doing the NPR radio program. His father was like many men of his generation - not able to outwardly show sympathy or love. His not supporting his son against Lou and letting the lobotomy happen was something that he dealt with by burying his feelings. This book made me want to read Dr. Freeman's biography.