Set in Manhattan in year 1909, this book is about the solving of murder mysteries using psychoanalysis with the help of Dr Sigmund Freud.
The story is told in the view of Dr Stratham Younger, a follower of Freud in America. Younger, he himself a brilliant doctor, is joined by Freud, Ferenzi and Carl Jung, the latter both of whom are avid followers of Freud's psychoanalysis theories in Europe.
A woman, Miss Riverford, is killed by strangulation and soon after, the young and beautiful Nora Acton of a reputable family is attacked. She shows similar wounds to that of the woman killed and there are theories abound that Miss Acton's attacker is the same person who killed the rich Miss Riverford. The arrest of the killer is complicated by the fact that Miss Acton is unable to remember her attack, claiming amnesia. She loses her voice due to the trauma but soon regains it. However, she is unable to provide any information to aid the arrest and investigation. Hence, Younger the psychiatrist , with the help of Dr Freud, sets forth to solve the mystery and help cure Miss Acton.
The front cover of the novel has claims for the Guardian, calling it 'Spectacular... fiendishly clever'
Fiendish? Maybe.
Clever? Not so.
In my personal opinion, the novel reeks of ..well.. psychoanalysis. To the point of being some what burdensome. Breaking it down into sections, one would notice equal amounts of story telling followed by psychoanalysis. This repeats itself throughout the book, where little happens and then a large amount of psychoanalysis (getting a tad annoying to be typing this word again and again even.)
The story felt a bit slow and does not compare to other crime novels that I have read. The numerous reference to the Oedipus Complex (try 30 times) starts to get a bit annoying. Perhaps this novel would be more suitable for someone with a background in medicine or psychiatry.
However, I would think it commendable, considering that this is the author's debut novel. I can only wish to be able to strive for such flair someday.
The fact that the author clarifies the discrepancies that his novel has with the real live 1909 Manhattan in the author's note at the end is also admirable. He had clearly has put a lot of effort into his research.There are also a number of expressions and ideas in the book that are extremely witty and had me in stitches. (more of this in later posts maybe)
Nonetheless, the story line was perhaps, just blehh...
I hope Rubenfeld's other works might intrigued me more in the future.
This, not a Reread.
Rating:2/5
The story is told in the view of Dr Stratham Younger, a follower of Freud in America. Younger, he himself a brilliant doctor, is joined by Freud, Ferenzi and Carl Jung, the latter both of whom are avid followers of Freud's psychoanalysis theories in Europe.
A woman, Miss Riverford, is killed by strangulation and soon after, the young and beautiful Nora Acton of a reputable family is attacked. She shows similar wounds to that of the woman killed and there are theories abound that Miss Acton's attacker is the same person who killed the rich Miss Riverford. The arrest of the killer is complicated by the fact that Miss Acton is unable to remember her attack, claiming amnesia. She loses her voice due to the trauma but soon regains it. However, she is unable to provide any information to aid the arrest and investigation. Hence, Younger the psychiatrist , with the help of Dr Freud, sets forth to solve the mystery and help cure Miss Acton.
The front cover of the novel has claims for the Guardian, calling it 'Spectacular... fiendishly clever'
Fiendish? Maybe.
Clever? Not so.
In my personal opinion, the novel reeks of ..well.. psychoanalysis. To the point of being some what burdensome. Breaking it down into sections, one would notice equal amounts of story telling followed by psychoanalysis. This repeats itself throughout the book, where little happens and then a large amount of psychoanalysis (getting a tad annoying to be typing this word again and again even.)
The story felt a bit slow and does not compare to other crime novels that I have read. The numerous reference to the Oedipus Complex (try 30 times) starts to get a bit annoying. Perhaps this novel would be more suitable for someone with a background in medicine or psychiatry.
However, I would think it commendable, considering that this is the author's debut novel. I can only wish to be able to strive for such flair someday.
The fact that the author clarifies the discrepancies that his novel has with the real live 1909 Manhattan in the author's note at the end is also admirable. He had clearly has put a lot of effort into his research.There are also a number of expressions and ideas in the book that are extremely witty and had me in stitches. (more of this in later posts maybe)
Nonetheless, the story line was perhaps, just blehh...
I hope Rubenfeld's other works might intrigued me more in the future.
This, not a Reread.
Rating:2/5
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