Freud's Mistress by Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman

Freud's Mistress

I honestly don't know much about Freud or his philosophical theories but I thought this book might be an interesting  historical novel that might give me some knowledge of this time in Europe.

The novel is based on the rumored affair of Sigmund Freud with his sister in law Minna. Freud's wife Martha is the domesticated and mothering type , very upright and just the right kind of person to advance Freud's career. She is considered a beauty and very desirable, She   attracts  Freud and they get married and have a family. Freud takes little interest in the children as he is constantly working on theories of the mind and so the household and family is managed by Martha.  Minna the other sister,  is just the opposite to Martha. She is also attractive but intellectual and questioning. When she falls on hard times she comes to live with her sister Martha and Freud supposedly to help look after the children. You can easily guess what happens. Freud welcomes this avid listener to explain and discuss his theories especially as his wife couldn't care less about his work . Freud is quite a lady's man and the obvious happens. 

The plot is very direct but strangely enough it holds the reader.It is well writtten and researched.

Intertwined in the novel comes Freud's rise to prominence and discussion about his theories.

I did enjoy the book. It is easily read and the source material seems very well researched.