This easily read novel is in some ways a thought experiment about the mystery over the relationship of Sigmund Freud to his sister-in-law Minna, told from her perspective. Very little is actually known about Minna and her letters with Freud were sealed until 1987; however, in 2006, the Swiss hotel register was shown to have an entry for “Freud und frau” at a time when Martha was known to be in Vienna. This discovery resurrected the long contested debate, originally triggered by Carl Jung, and it convinced some scholars, such as Freud biographer Peter Gay, that they had been lovers after all.

Following that 2006 discovery and relying on the research of Peter Swales, the authors construct a “what if” narrative that accepts that long-contested opinion that Freud conducted a sexual affair with his sister-in-law. They explore Minna’s torment, as she struggles with her growing passion and with her loyalty to her sister. In a sense, then, although the issue is not related in so many words, Minna (ego) is wrestling with both her id and her super-ego at a moment in time when Freud is developing those theories, which he discusses with her.

In this account, Minna is shown to be a beautiful, strong, independent thinker. She smokes, swears and dresses simply but well. She dares to argue with Freud, and rejects some of his theories, especially those concerning sexuality as the root of all mental distress. She criticizes his constant cigar-smoking (a slightly overdone premonition of the cancer that would kill him), and she is baffled and betrayed by his preoccupation with Wilhelm Fliess, a superficial yet dangerous interloper. Nice cameos of real figures people the narrative – Eugen Bleuler, Wilhelm Fliess, Lou Andreas-Salomé, Anna as a baby, and lisping Sophie Freud at age four.

Minna’s social situation is a statement on the narrow choices available to women in her time. Chauvinism and racism both pervade the story. There is even a hint that her miscarriage may have been provoked by an unethical physician who has been "bought" by Freud.

The note on sources shows that the authors researched their subject well, keeping the novel in the realm of “the plausible;”  therefore making it an inviting approach to the history and criticism of Freud’s theories. A special effort is made to recreate the atmosphere of fin-de siècle Vienna, but a bit too much prose is devoted to descriptions of clothing and furniture, although those aspects have been researched too.

Told from the feminist-critical angle, however, Freud emerges as singularly unattractive—selfish, arrogant, petulant, addicted, and dogmatic -- making it difficult for the reader to accept the heroic Minna’s powerful attraction to him and her baffling weakness in accepting the specific gender-demeaning roles that he assigns her.

A few editorial lapses mar the overall effect: would a 19th century Viennese Jewish woman describe herself as “antsy,” and, even in a whisper, would she swear by “Christ Almighty” (p. 124)?