Freud's Mistress by Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman

 Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis; generally recognized as one of the most influential and authoritative thinkers of the 20th century.

Until the summer of 2006, an affair between Freud and his sister-in-law was seen as rumor. With new evidence, now it is accepted that it most likely had happened.

Despite the new evidence and the focal point of the story being an affair, what this book also brings is a glimpse of a man who dedicated his life to ‘psychoanalysis’ despite so much criticism during his life time. He studied, worked and read. He became world-famous scientist.

1895, Vienna. The story begins with Minna Bernays, who at almost 30 years old is let go from her position as a companion. She is an overeducated lady of her time. After many misfortunes, she learns to make her way in the world; not wanting to get married, the only option left to her is being lady’s companion or governess.

As she is let go again, she reminisces about her mother’s words: “You should talk less of Gounod operas and more of other subjects, or better yet, talk less in general. Most men don’t appreciate a bright wit, unless it’s their own.”

She moves in with her sister Martha and her family, husband Sigmund Freud and their six young children.

Minna quickly notices the arguments between the couple being mostly caused by her sister. Where her sister sees conflicts, Minna sees brilliance. She asks Sigmund if she could attend his lecture.

He joins her on her outings to take a break from a stifling situation at home.

As she attends his lecture she notices that his students are “drawn to his oddities, his contradictions, and (…) why didn’t she just say it? To his greatness.”

This change of life style surges her with optimism. But it doesn’t take her long to realize that she can’t accept his advances. 

She gets a new position in Frankfurt, but he doesn’t let her go so easily. He finds ways for them to meet.

Personally, I do not like stories about affairs, but the interesting part is the glimpse of Sigmund Freud and his genius. His character and what they both had done are two dark things, which is not my place to judge.

Overall, it is a well-written story. There a couple slower moments, but not to a point where I wanted to put the book away. I still wanted to know how her story ends.

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