Behave by Andromeda Romano-Lax (reviewed by Jane Gould)

There is no shortage of advice for new mothers, and the Esplanade Book Group that met in February had a lively discussion about parenting theories. Behave, a 2016 book by Andromeda Romano-Lax, is an historical fiction about the foundations of behavioral research. John B. Watson’s best-selling 1928 baby-book advised parents to maintain a strict and early schedule for toilet training, remain emotionally detached, and resist giving-in or “spoiling.” However, Behave is primarily about Rosalie Raynor, Watson’s second wife and lab assistant. She had a scandalous relationship with Watson before marrying him. She was conflicted by his research methods as well as by her own maternal instincts.

The book group watched an original film clip that showed Watson and Rayner at work in their lab, experimenting on Baby Albert. It generated an “ah hah” moment, as the members reflected the experiments and the child-raising axioms held dear by their own parents and grandparents.

—Jane Gould