Home for the Bewildered
Home for the Bewildered by Michelle Tobin, published by Vine Leaves Press on September 3, 2024, is a literary work set in 1974 that follows Dr. Dorothy Morrissey, the first female psychologist at St. Lawrence Asylum in Lansing, Michigan. As she navigates her new role, Dorothy becomes deeply intertwined with her patients, whose emotional struggles reflect her own. The narrative explores the complexities of mental health through characters like Thomas Perfect, whose bipolar disorder presents both challenges and moments of levity, and Ruth, who faces a postpartum psychiatric break.
Readers will find a rich exploration of historical and psychological themes as Dorothy grapples with her patients’ chaotic lives while confronting her own unresolved issues. The book delves into the intricacies of mental illness, relationships, and self-discovery, highlighting the tension between professional duty and personal turmoil. With 328 pages, this edition offers a detailed look at the emotional landscape of the 1970s, making it a significant addition to the genres of literature and historical fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
“You’ll finish wanting a sequel.” Dan Mulhern, J.D., Former First Gentleman of Michigan
It’s 1974 and Dr. Dorothy Morrissey becomes the first female psychologist at St. Lawrence Asylum in Lansing, Michigan.
Dorothy’s patients mirror her emotional issues as they draw her into their often-chaotic lives. Thomas Perfect’s impulsiveness and attention-seeking behavior-both symptoms of his bipolar disorder-often prove dangerous as a gay man in 1970s Lansing, Michigan. His flair for drama makes Dorothy laugh as much as his trauma makes her want to cry. Dorothy wrestles with an inexplicable aversion to George who had been remanded to St. Lawrence after pleading Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. Ruth’s post-partum psychiatric break threatens to draw Dorothy in with her, and Marcella, labeled as borderline frustrates Dorothy’s efforts to keep her from self-harm.
As good as Dorothy is at holding and interpreting her patients’ past traumas, she resists looking at her own, causing a strain on her relationship with Kenneth. It seems Dorothy has no problem saving her patients… but can she save herself?
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