Butcher

A Novel

By: Joyce Carol Oates

Narrated by: Amy Shiels, Edoardo Ballerini, Cassandra Campbell, Robert Fass, Tavia Gilbert, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Danny Campbell, Max Meyers

From one of our most accomplished storytellers, an extraordinary and arresting novel about a women’s asylum in the nineteenth century, and a terrifying doctor who wants to change the world

In this harrowing story based on authentic historical documents, we follow the career of Dr. Silas Weir, “Father of Gyno-Psychiatry,” as he ascends from professional anonymity to national renown. Humiliated by a procedure gone terribly wrong, Weir is forced to take a position at the New Jersey Asylum for Female Lunatics, where he reigns. There, he is allowed to continue his practice, unchecked for decades, making a name for himself by focusing on women who have been neglected by the state—women he subjects to the most grotesque modes of experimentation. As he begins to establish himself as a pioneer of nineteenth-century surgery, Weir’s ambition is fueled by his obsessive fascination with a young Irish indentured servant named Brigit, who becomes not only Weir’s primary experimental subject, but also the agent of his destruction.

Narrated by Silas Weir’s eldest son, who has repudiated his father’s brutal legacy, Butcher is a unique blend of fiction and fact, a nightmare voyage through the darkest regions of the American psyche conjoined, in its startling conclusion, with unexpected romance. Once again, Joyce Carol Oates has written a spellbinding novel confirming her position as one of our celebrated American visionaries of the imagination.

©2024 Joyce Carol Oates (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Butcher, by Joyce Carol Oates: A ghastly and harrowing page-turner based on facts. That a large part is set in the New Jersey Asylum for Female Lunatics should tell you all you need to know. Faint of heart? Stay away.”—Stephen King via Twitter

“[Butcher] has the feverish energy, narrative propulsion and descriptive amplitude of much of [Oates’s] earlier work. . . . Oates, as is her wont, succeeds in creating a world that is apart from our own yet familiar, making it impossible to dismiss her observations about twisted natures and random acts of violence. . . . We have become so used to the notion of the recognizable auteur blazing through the artifice of fiction and calling attention to his or her self that Oates’s approach feels like a singularly uncommon one. Long may she run.”—Daphne Merkin, The New York Times Book Review

“Gripping. . . . Bravura storytelling, if not for the faint of heart.”—Vogue, “The Best Books of 2024 So Far”

Maybe Her Best

This is likely Joyce Carol Oates’s bass novel to date. The way she is able to capture the voice, tone, and mood of a 19th century surgeon was spectacular. Clearly, the diction is reflective of a 19th century author. The reason I gave this novel four stars instead of five stars in the story category is because I feel like the story and characters or let’s say the plot and characters could’ve been developed more to the end of the story. I feel as though she may have gotten tired of writing the story and ended it without developing it. However, this has been the case with many of her novels, so it may just be a stylistic of her writing rather than lack of development of the characters. Over all, if you like Gothic literature, then I’m highly recommended.

Great story and relevant historical fiction

Very engaging. Gruesome but good to hear a point of view not represented in normal history telling

all star cast of narrators!

excellent narratoring of the story loosely based on the real life Dr of women's health.

Great story line

LOVE Joyce Carol Oates. This novel doesn’t disappoint. All young women must read to appreciate where women’s gynecological care began.

Most unusual content. It kept me interested for the entire audio.

I liked the history of the asylum. The mention of the nearby towns. Being a life long NJ resident it was very interesting to me.

JCO is a treasure

I have loved Joyce Carol Oates’ late career output. Her last few, she has turned herself into almost a horror writer - Baby Sitter, 48 Clues. And this one is no different. At times horrifying but you cannot turn away. The narrators are all first rate. Loved it.