Books

In the mid-20th century, surgeons came up with the idea of fighting madness

with a scalpel. The results were dubious: cutting into the brain calmed the mentally

ill, but did not cure them. Tens of thousands fell victim to lobotomy, mostly women.

Marleen was one of them. By a lucky chance, Ina Boesch came across her aunt’s file.

With great sensitivity, she explores the emotional fractures.

A personal exploration of a fatal medical error.

Verlag HIER UND JETZT, Zürich 2026. Gestaltung: Naima Schalcher.