Butcher, penned by the gifted Joyce Carol Oates, is an extraordinary and arresting novel set against the backdrop of a women's asylum in the 19th century. This harrowing tale draws upon authentic historical documents to weave a narrative around Dr. Silas Weir, known as "The Father of Gyno-Psychiatry." After a disastrous procedure that tarnishes his reputation, Weir finds himself at the New Jersey Asylum for Female Lunatics, where his rule is absolute.

Within these walls, Dr. Weir operates without restraint, gaining notoriety for his work with women neglected by the state. His career is marked by grotesque experiments, particularly focused on a young Irish indentured servant named Brigit. Brigit becomes both the centerpiece of Weir's experiments and the catalyst for his eventual downfall.

The story is narrated by Weir's eldest son, who has denounced the cruel legacy of his father. Butcher is a blend of fact and fiction, a chilling journey through the darkest corners of the American psyche, culminating in a startling conclusion that intertwines terror with an unexpected romance.

With Butcher, Joyce Carol Oates reaffirms her status as one of our premier American visionaries of the imagination.