Home for the Bewildered

by Michelle Tobin

★★★★★ “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?

355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Kathleen Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for the Bewildered was so compelling and engrossing that I deliberately slowed down as I neared the end, not wanting to leave. One of the book’s blurbs reads, “You’ll finish wanting a sequel,” and that is absolutely true! But I also finished wanting a cinematic adaptation. Michelle Tobin has created such a vivid cast of characters that they are ready-made for the big screen. Each one is complex, flawed and yet they are people you want to know and engage with, not least of whom is the protagonist, Dorothy. The author lets us peek into the inner turmoil of this main character via her omniscient p.o.v. but also through interactions she has with her patients in the asylum. Each one reflects something back to Dorothy about her own life – past or present – and we get to witness the life of a psychologist and the struggles such a job entails. At the root, we are reminded that our professional helpers are just people, too. But the love and empathy that Dorothy has for her patients and vice versa is truly heartwarming and inspiring. Tobin’s ability to portray these people and complicated relationships, to depict emotions with honesty, compassion and a sharp acuity, is not only a testament to the author’s empathy but serves as a reminder to the reader to live with an open heart. I appreciated Tobin’s theme of faith throughout – both explicitly with regard to Catholicism (and all the attending conflicts therein) but also in general. Dorothy’s faith in herself, in her patients, and in all directions in the various relationships in the novel, wavers persistently. I also loved this book because of the era – 1970s! – which was illustrated with admirable nuance. I also love a plot that revolves around anything related to psychology. I highly recommend this completely engrossing, thought-provoking, and beautifully written novel.

[Peggy D'haene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is going to be somewhat biased because Mick, Michelle is my sister. Wow, I am so proud!

Friends and family that grew up in Lansing, MI , you will be transported back in time. A trip down memory lane that will make you smile, laugh, cry, and wanting more and more.

I had to stop from time to time because I just wanted to sit in the memories. As if that wasn’t enough , the characters and their stories are so compelling and Michelle’s writing so beautifully descriptive, it put me right there with them.

I told Michelle that only one other book has evoked so many emotions and had me sobbing, that was The Notebook.

I’m so proud of you Mick! BRAVO! WELL DONE! SPEECH! SPEECH!

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book about very difficult situations. The author goes beyond storytelling to crafting an environment of feelings that delves deep into themes of the complexities of human relationships. .

The characters are complex and well-developed. The novel also explores important issues of mental health and the ways in which society often fails to protect its most vulnerable members.

Overall, it is a powerful and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an unforgettable story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kymm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading "Home for the Bewildered" by Michelle Tobin, who I'm a fan of was like being a fly on the wall at a mental health facility. These very different characters with completely different personalities and backstories all meet together and individually with their doctor who herself has a whole list of personal issues that she needs to confront. All this comes together for an entertaining look at what is usually a very serious issue. I love books like this that talk about the tough stuff going on in this world and write characters who experience some of society's worst ills. When two of these patients share their own traumatic experiences that brought them where they are today, the author takes it seriously. She handles it with compassion and fact. As someone who's had mental health issues in their family forever, I appreciate when authors take on the tough stuff and do it with dignity and respect. I highly recommend this book. Happy Reading!

[Mariè · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very difficult for me to read books set in asylums and like them, or start ones with high expectations because from my own experience in those not so lovely places most books either romanticize them or get the feelings wrong, however HOME FOR THE BEWILDERED managed to surpass my expectations and then add an extra tier to them!

Dorothy is the first female psychologist in St Lawrence asylum where we meet her patients and learn their stories and by term dorothy's.

The writing is a complete 10/10, it's complex, beautiful, witty, and moving. The author has done a wonderful job of setting each scene and paint a detailed image of of every minute detail in the plot

The characters were very well done as well, they were complex and well built, they all felt like actual people with different characteristics and issues

The character Marcella i was most interested in because of my own BPD the moment we got introduced to her i developed a tiny knot in the pit of my stomach because i was scared it would be done wrong (as BPD so often is) but.. she was great! It made me feel that the author truly researched and put their heart and all into this book.

I wish we got more from Krystal but alas..

A very realistic well written powerful story and i can't wait to read more from the author

Reread this gem.. love it even more

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It took me away to a different time, set in the early seventies and early eighties, and I couldn’t help thinking about how much has changed, and how little has changed. You will fall in love with the characters - one in particular struck a chord with me and captured my heart. The detail, the character development, the laugh-out-loud moments, and the move you to tears experiences on the pages within all made for a book that was hard to put down. If not for some of my own experiences that resonated here and set a slower pace for me, I no doubt would have completed this in a lazy weekend! A fantastic read!

[Daniel McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, one of the best books I've read in a long time. As a history teacher, I believe Tobin does a masterful job of transporting us to a different time and place. You will laugh out loud and cry as you progress though the book. The best books are always the ones that make you think, and this one does that in spades. You'll want all your friends to read it, so that you can talk about it together. Just as Dorothy believes that every patient has something to teach her, so does Tobin teach us to reflect on our own stories and lives. I can't believe this is her debut novel. Sign me up for the sequel!

[Corie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me laugh, smirk, and feel lots of big feelings! Very impressed with this book and very proud of the author !

[harriet victor snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

True to its title, Michelle Tobin’s remarkable debut novel, Home for the Bewildered, engages the human condition with deep insight and compassion.

Set in the early Seventies, the book deals with issues that were often taboo at the time, like homosexuality, interfaith relationships, mental illness, postpartum depression, and the often complicated, messy and sometimes cruel nature of family dynamics.

At the center is Dorothy, misunderstood by her large working class Catholic family. She is the first to attend college, even becoming a Doctor of Psychology. Despite, or maybe because of, the lack of support and understanding from her family, Dorothy becomes the first female doctor at St. Lawrence Asylum, aka the “Home for the Bewildered,” where she forms deep connections with her patients, helping them to heal and find belonging… and in the process healing herself.
Home for the Bewildered

[Maria D'Haene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is something special for historical fiction lovers. It is an extraordinary debut rich in characters, atmosphere, and yearning. Beautifully written, inventive, and ultimately a love letter to the human spirit to persevere and grow.

[Elizabeth C]

This book was for me a great insight into the life of a mental health professional. Through the connection between Dr. Morrissey and her memorable patients at the St. Lawrence Asylum, I came to understand the art and science that goes into this work. To witness the personal life and struggles of both doctor and patients was to fully recognize the complexity of these relationships. For anyone in the profession, I imagine this story will be very affirming, and for those like me who are not, very enlightening. More broadly, though, this is a beautiful exploration of healing, in all its messy glory. The title of this book holds so much empathy and humanity, and the story lives up to it.

[Mary Ellen]

Home for the Bewildered introduces readers to a compelling collection of characters, who deal with the most profound of life’s challenges and find the most meaningful of human connections. Michelle Tobin transports readers to a time and place in which American families were trying to make sense of the world after the tumultuous 1960s. Gender roles, sexual identity, marriage norms, family dynamics, and institutional religion all seemed up for grabs. Or not. Each of these plays out in devastating and endearing ways in the intimate lives of her diverse characters. It offers a particularly enlightening view of a Catholic sensibility in the midst of this historical moment. You will have a hard time not rooting for the human beings she’s brought to life on the page.

[John Guerriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Home for the Bewildered, Michelle Tobin masterfully weaves in the story of Dr. Dorothy Morrissey, a psychologist, with the stories of her patients at St. Lawrence Asylum in Lansing, Mich.

Dorothy, the protagonist, is a strongly written, identifiable character - with both strengths and flaws. Tobin's book also explores heartbreak, balanced with hope and humor, in both Dorothy's workplace and her home life.

Home for the Bewildered left me wanting a sequel. In the meantime, the best endorsement I can give is that I plan to re-read the novel again. That's how much I enjoyed it.

- John Guerriero, author, Erie, PA

[Sally Cowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home  For the Bewildered is set in 1970s America and follows psychologist Dorothy and her patients at the mental health ward of a hospital.

As Dorothy learns more about her clients, she finds connections to her own past and realises they are jot so dissimilar...

A fascinating read, a glimpse into the culture of the 1970s, the social challenges still felt by women, and the demands and restraints of an Irish Catholic upbringing.

[Dianne Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading Home for the Bewildered. Characterization was very well done. Although the book centers on diagnostic features of individuals with different psychiatric disorders, knowledge of abnormal psychology is not necessary to enjoy this book. I read the last chapters way too quickly as I was so drawn into the story. Having been a young Italian Catholic adult in the 1970’s I easily related to Dororthy’s belief system because my relationship with my husband was considered by my grandparents as a ‘mixed marriage’ as my husband was not of Italian descent. I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good page turner.

[Kalen Iffert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written beautifully and develops characters that the reader is drawn to and wants the best for, just as Dr Morrisey wants for her patients. I found myself trying to analyze and piece together solutions for each of the patients and Dr Morrisey and by the second half of the book I could barely put it down wanting to know how the story ends. I’m impressed with the writing and detailed descriptions that easily brought me into each scene and provided insights to the family dynamics. Highly recommend!

[Robert D’Haene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author very slyly brings us into the lives of her characters and the world they occupy. Then before you know it you are one of the group, one of the family and invested in their stories. The main character invites us to work along side her as she navigates her own life, as well as guiding her patients. You’ll both root for and be frustrated by both doctor and patient. Then soon you’re recognizing yourself in both!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! I could barely out it down! A great story about how we need to value everyone in our family and stand up for our beliefs!

[Mary Hembrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for the Bewildered is a multi-layered expose' of the human condition. The characters living at St. Lawrence Asylum are as complex as are their challenges. This includes the protagonist, psychologist Dr. Dorothy Morrissey herself. I marveled at her patience with her patients, so to speak, as I did with her unrelenting dysfunctional family. At the same time, I was captured by the laborious journey she began to embrace as she slowly became aware of her own brokenness. Pathos, courage, insight, long suffering, humor, healing, hope and wisdom are just a few of the gifts this extraordinary and delightful book offers its readers.

Mary Hembrow Snyder, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Religious Studies, Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA>

[Andrew Verlaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Home for the bewildered" is a great character study of a psychologist at a Michigan psychiatric ward and her patients/clients. Dr Dorothy "Dottie" Morrissey is the first female psychiatrist at St Lawrance Asylum, and her patients are navigating their struggles at a time of social change in the USA. Dr Morrissey sees a lot of parallels between her own life and those of her patients, as we're drawn into a deep character study of all of them.

There may be villains in this book, but they are generally "offscreen", with the main characters being those the bad guys have harmed trying to pick up the pieces. The greatest antagonists to each other might be Dorothy's boyfriend and her parents, who she procrastinates endlessly about getting in the same room, knowing her mother and father won't approve. This source of tension really got to me, and I was rooting for things to work as OK as they could.

"Home for the bewildered" is a humane and endearing book that takes a swing at some very big topics - what it has to say on these things might not blow you away, but then again that's generally not the point - it's about flawed people doing their best, and all the more powerful for it. And there was one quote about hope that struck me "...if your life can be ruined suddenly, why can't it be saved suddenly?"

[Shanna Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for the Bewildered follows a female psychologist in the 70’s as she navigates her own relationship and family dynamics while working to understand and help her patients at a Lansing, MI asylum. The writing in this book made me feel so much empathy for every character - from Dorothy, to her patients. I have never read a book like this and am so glad it was gifted to me.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read. Set in the 70s and about a woman psychologist. Her parents didn't think of her as a real doctor, but the way she connected with her patients was special. Each one she had a different connection with that aligned with something about her life. Reading this book just showed how much our country needs more psychologists and even asylums to help with the mental health our country faces. I highly recommend this book to all.

The only thing that bothered me was that the author went back and forth between calling the main character by her first name, Dorothy and Dr Morrissey. I got confused at one point and thought them to be 2 different people.

[Marcia Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I was not expecting to enjoy reading this book as much as I did. I had no idea what I was in for; it turns out I was in for a fantastic treat. Author Michelle Tobin, obviously an extremely bright woman, writes with love, compassion, and understanding of her subjects. It’s obvious she writes from experience.

Her principal characters and their difficult, traumatic lives are rendered perfectly by her prose. They all turn out to be people with deep emotional scars but all worthy and capable of loving and being loved. The story is a lesson about religious dogma and beliefs, the unfortunate dismantling of a support system for the mentally ill which ultimately has produced huge numbers of people needing care living on the streets, and the various ways that different mental illnesses manifest in people’s behavior.

I loved the way the book begins with a prologue that eventually ties into the book’s last few chapters and neatly bookends the entire story. At first, the prologue was a bit perplexing for me, but after finishing the book, I reread the prologue and obtained a much greater understanding of and appreciation for it. I thought the whole book was organized very cleverly. And for me, the last twist in the story left me feeling warm and fuzzy.

Thank you to BookSirens, Ms. Tobin, and Vine Leaves Press for providing me an advanced reader’s copy of this book. My review is voluntary. I hope Ms. Tobin continues to write novels, and I look forward to reading them if she does.

[Literary Titan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for the Bewildered, by Michelle Tobin, masterfully captures a haunting, tender world set against the backdrop of 1974 Lansing, Michigan. We follow Dr. Dorothy Morrissey, the first female psychologist at St. Lawrence Asylum, as she steps into the lives of her fragile patients—and, unknowingly, deeper into the wounds she’s spent years hiding from herself. Each of her patients reflects a piece of her pain: Thomas, whose reckless charm is both alluring and terrifying; Ruth, drowning in a sea of trauma; and George, whose mere presence brings up a discomfort she can’t quite explain. As Dorothy’s empathy tangles her fate with theirs, it becomes clear that she, too, is desperately in need of healing.

The storytelling here strikes a perfect, almost poetic balance between sorrow and hope. Tobin writes Dorothy’s journey with a raw intimacy that resonates deeply. We witness Dorothy peeling back the layers of her patients’ suffering, only to have those same layers stripped from her own guarded heart. It’s both heavy and heartbreakingly beautiful. I couldn’t help but think of A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, as Tobin offers an unflinching portrayal of trauma and the yearning for connection.

The prose feels like open wounds—painful, vivid, and so delicately human. Reading this book isn’t just an experience; it’s a quiet, aching immersion into the need for acceptance and the long, messy road to healing. The narrative unfolds with depth and care evident in every well-researched plot detail and character arc. Each character is beautifully constructed, with stories that deserve to be felt, not just read.

Despite dealing with heavy, sensitive topics, mental illness, grief, and the stigmas of the past, including homosexuality, Tobin handles it all with a gentle, respectful touch. The result is a kind of immersive tenderness, making you ache for characters who often struggle to even root for themselves. Every chapter feels like peeling back layers to reveal what’s hidden, dismissed, or lost, and the effect is spellbinding.

The historical setting is a triumph. Tobin captures the period with such authenticity that I felt transported, as if I were sitting in the cold halls of the asylum or witnessing every tear and triumph alongside the characters. It reads like genuine historical fiction but is alive with emotional depth. There’s a dual-pull here: you want to savor each exquisite line, but the narrative grips you so intensely that you devour it without meaning to. The portrayal of Dorothy, who finds herself in the fractured reflections of her patients, is astonishingly resonant. It beautifully illustrates the reality that even those who dedicate their lives to healing others often find themselves on the brink of breaking. The characters feel alive, layered, and achingly real.

This book is an unforgettable exploration of what it means to live with an open heart and how the concept of family can emerge in the most unlikely places. If you’re drawn to stories that linger with you long after you’ve finished, that mix historical insight with raw, emotional honesty, Home for the Bewildered is a must-read. It will break your heart and, in its own way, try to mend it too.

[Patti Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired English teacher, I applaud Tobin’s use of strong verbs and precise vocabulary. It’s refreshing to read a book that chooses challenging words! Thus, the descriptions of characters and setting are so vivid. I especially liked the scene of Dorothy Christmas shopping! The characters and their struggles are real, and I really liked the hopeful resolutions at the end. It is hard to end a book, and Dan Mulhearn is right about wanting a sequel. Wouldn’t we all be healthier if we had a therapist like Dorothy. And wouldn’t the world be a better, healthier, more tolerant place if more facilities like Home for the Bewildered existed with such a caring staff and lack of red tape that prevents so many mentally ill people from getting the help they need.
There’s a spiritual element to the book as well that on
most Catholics would relate to and understand! I think Michelle Tobin hit the nail on head with the pervasiveness of Catholic guilt and blind reverence to flawed church leaders. Hopefully, we have come a long way from there.
I think we all are victims of parental guilt and family secrets, and in many cases regret ever asking our parents about the hushed topics before it’s too late. Perhaps this book will help some families deal with this.
Moreover, I stand in awe of Michelle’s accomplishments. as a social worker, trained chef, wife, mom, volunteer and this makes me wonder what I’ve been doing with my life!
Kudos to a great read!

[Alycia Vreeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for the Bewildered is a literary treat! Bravo to the author, Michelle Tobin. I fell in love with every character at the St. Lawrence Hospital, Home for the Bewildered. If you have ever wondered what goes on behind the doors of a mental hospital, well the author most accurately leads you into the brains of the clients and the ones who care most for them.

Dorothy, the black sheep in her family is a lovable psychiatric doctor whose own trauma makes it difficult for her to form relations in her personal life, yet forming lovable relations with her patience.

This heartfelt story takes us on a journey with Dorothy, a psychiatric doctor and her patience. Dorothy faces paralleled trauma with her client forcing her to take a deep introspective look at herself. Through healing others she is healing herself, moving through her own feelings of grief and trauma while empathizing with them, through her clients process.

Thomas, my favorite character who preforms a tea ceremony for his bewildered family one afternoon to showcase his talents.

‘We learn respect when we discover gratitude. We are grateful for the tea, for the utensils, for the cups, for the teapot. Most importantly, we are grateful for each other.” He says as he methodically performs the ceremony.

I urge you to read this book and get to know the other characters. It will fill your heart, and leave you with a feeling of gratitude.

[Ann Epstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctor, Heal Thyself – Set in a Michigan state psychiatric hospital in the mid-1970s, Home for the Bewildered by Michelle Tobin captures the confused minds of its residents and the personal floundering of Dr. Dorothy Morrissey, the young psychologist who is better at helping them than working through her own dilemmas. Tobin skillfully creates a diverse group of patients, each dealing with trauma, often originating in childhood, that interfere with their ability to function as adults. With compassion and competence, Dorothy helps her charges take steps toward insight and improvement. In the process of treating them, she also faces her own difficulties with her strict Catholic family and her ambivalence toward a boyfriend they deem unacceptable. As a novelist myself, who likewise delves into the human psyche from multiple points of view (see my Goodreads author page https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...), I admire Tobin’s ability to endow each character with a distinctive voice, and to evoke empathy for them, no matter how challenging their personalities. With engaging storytelling and emotional honesty, Tobin’s Home for the Bewildered leaves readers with a clear vision of how the past leaves an indelible mark on us and how we can nevertheless move forward to live satisfying and meaningful lives.

[Stephanie | read_renew_repeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love is our steady guide on this road full of hardships."

This book was thoroughly engrossing! Home of the Bewildered offers a well-crafted and captivating glimpse into the lives of characters struggling with mental illness, as Dr. Dorothy Morrissey, the first female psychologist at St. Lawrence Asylum in Lansing, Michigan, supports them with compassion and dedication.

Written like case studies in novel form, Tobin skillfully portrays intense experiences like postpartum psychosis, bipolar mania, self-harm, and repressed trauma. Her vivid and complex prose brings these characters to life, making you feel deeply connected to them—especially Thomas, my personal favorite.

I found myself laughing, tearing up, rooting for the underdog, and desperately hoping the characters would recognize how hard Dorothy worked for and with them. I wished so much for them to rise above their struggles and live the lives they deserved.

Even after finishing the book, I can’t stop thinking about the characters. I already miss the patients and the profound connections they shared. This book was superbly written and I highly recommend it!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel presents a perfect rendition of Irish Catholic family life from the position of a young psychologist as she relates to her patients and their issues during treatment on a psychiatric unit. The main character, Dorothy, can’t help but reflect on her own family upbringing as she hears her patient’s struggles and stories. She uses those reflections to establish common ground with her patients on the ward. At the same time, she’s working on her own relationships with a boyfriend and eccentric family members. As a former therapist myself, I really enjoyed the intimate view Michelle Tobin so aptly provides the reader. This novel will make you laugh out loud, it will warm your heart, and it will increase your compassion towards all you encounter. Well done! Looking forward to a sequel already!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Home for the Bewildered, Michelle Tobin invites the reader behind the curtain into the lives of a fictional therapist and her group of inpatient clients. The story reflects the pathos, joy, and indeed, the frequent bewilderment, of being human.

I found each character in the group to be a fairly-well-fleshed-out individual, Although the author may have been ambitious in trying to include so many personalities, including the therapist’s own family and the families of those in the group.

Tobin’s characters live through beginnings and endings. They suffer highs and lows. They do the best they can with the resources they have. Through it all, I loved seeing the influence that a caring therapist can have.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.