What do you think?
Rate this book
Dreaming for Freud
An award-winning author reimagines one of Freud’s most famous and controversial cases.
Acclaimed for her spare prose and exceptional psychological insights in her novels Becoming Jane Eyre and Love Child, Sheila Kohler’s latest is inspired by Sigmund Freud’s Dora: An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria. Dreaming for Freud paints a provocative and sensual portrait of one of history’s most famous patients.
In the fall of 1900, Dora’s father forces her to begin treatment with the doctor. Visiting him daily, the seventeen-year-old girl lies on his ottoman and tells him frankly about her strange life, and above all about her father's desires as far as she is concerned. But Dora abruptly ends her treatment after only eleven weeks, just as Freud was convinced he was on the cusp of a major discovery.
In Dreaming for Freud, Kohler explores what might have happened between the man who changed the face of psychotherapy and the beautiful young woman who gave him her dreams.
Acclaimed for her spare prose and exceptional psychological insights in her novels Becoming Jane Eyre and Love Child, Sheila Kohler’s latest is inspired by Sigmund Freud’s Dora: An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria. Dreaming for Freud paints a provocative and sensual portrait of one of history’s most famous patients.
In the fall of 1900, Dora’s father forces her to begin treatment with the doctor. Visiting him daily, the seventeen-year-old girl lies on his ottoman and tells him frankly about her strange life, and above all about her father's desires as far as she is concerned. But Dora abruptly ends her treatment after only eleven weeks, just as Freud was convinced he was on the cusp of a major discovery.
In Dreaming for Freud, Kohler explores what might have happened between the man who changed the face of psychotherapy and the beautiful young woman who gave him her dreams.
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2014
12 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Kohler
43 books162 followersSheila Kohler was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the younger of two girls. Upon matriculation at 17 from Saint Andrews, with a distinction in history (1958), she left the country for Europe. She lived for 15 years in Paris, where she married, did her undergraduate degree in literature at the Sorbonne, and a graduate degree in psychology at the Institut Catholique. After raising her three girls, she moved to the USA in 1981, and did an MFA in writing at Columbia.
In the summer of 1987, her first published story, “The Mountain,” came out in “The Quarterly” and received an O’Henry prize and was published in the O’Henry Prize Stories of 1988. It also became the first chapter in her first novel, "The Perfect Place," which was published by Knopf the next year.
In the summer of 1987, her first published story, “The Mountain,” came out in “The Quarterly” and received an O’Henry prize and was published in the O’Henry Prize Stories of 1988. It also became the first chapter in her first novel, "The Perfect Place," which was published by Knopf the next year.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 30, 2014
I could not hate this book any more if I tried. Seriously, here are the major story lines: girl is raped by her family friend who convinces everyone that she is a hysterical liar; doting father with his own sexual picadillos sends girl to FREUD for analysis; Freud is a pretentious, self-involved blowhard; girl outsmarts Freud and finds happiness on her own.
This is another one of those where I want my time back. Ugh.
This is another one of those where I want my time back. Ugh.
June 10, 2020
The entire time I was reading this, I felt uneasy and a little irritated. I needed author notes or background commentary of some kind. (I have an advance reading copy, which includes only the story but indicates that there is a reader's guide.) I don't know enough about Freud to know if Kohler has captured his personality or how this meshes with the generally accepted view of Freud's work.
Here's an example of the writing that bothered me, probably because it doesn't fit my image of Freud.
p 70: When he finally hears the patient's footsteps in his waiting room, his heart beats hard. He is a hunter stalking his prey. He is an adventurer, a conquistador, a Pisarro, a searcher of gold! He is hunting down the truth of the hearts, and this girl must be made to give it to him, whether she wishes to or not.
Here's an example of the writing that bothered me, probably because it doesn't fit my image of Freud.
p 70: When he finally hears the patient's footsteps in his waiting room, his heart beats hard. He is a hunter stalking his prey. He is an adventurer, a conquistador, a Pisarro, a searcher of gold! He is hunting down the truth of the hearts, and this girl must be made to give it to him, whether she wishes to or not.
November 2, 2014
I lingered over this book because Sheila Kohler makes every page a pleasure worth savoring The writing is lucid and rich - a joy - the content thoughtful, the drama subtle but sharp. The drama in this case is between Freud near the beginning of his career and the clever teenage girl who came to be (in real life) one of his most famous case studies. She has physical pain, and he thinks hysteria, but in this retelling Freud is not only a brilliant doctor, but a man blinded by his times, and ready to be challenged, even hoodwinked, by a young woman who sees through male cant and self-interest. The do battle, and it's an intriguing tussle. Meanwhile, outside, Europe moves towards it's 20th century tragedy. This is the first of Kohler's books I've read, and I now want to read more.
June 21, 2016
A good attempt to write a fiction.
However, lacks originality. Loosely connected threads. Unnecessary details in the end, so pointless. Regret to write a negative review.
However, lacks originality. Loosely connected threads. Unnecessary details in the end, so pointless. Regret to write a negative review.
July 26, 2014
When I got to the end, I realized the author hadn't told me the protagonist's name! Young girl seeks help for pains in legs, stomach and head. She has tried all sorts of cures but nothing has helped. Her father takes her to see Freud and the daily sessions continue for three months before the girl refuses to continue treatment. Feeling like she is not getting the proper attention of Freud, the girl begin's making up dreams for him to analyze. She becomes one of his most famous cases. Have read other work of this writer and think she is excellent. Enjoyed very much.
June 7, 2014
Sigmund Freud’s motives and methods in taking on the seventeen-year-old daughter of one of his former patients seem highly questionable: what does he know about women’s psychology in the first place, and about adolescents, in the second? The outcome seems a preordained disaster.
OKLAHOMA CITY - From the day I was asked to review this book I was intrigued. I loved the cover and the storyline sounded fascinating. I have read other pieces of historical fiction that focused on Freud and I found those to be engaging and enjoyable. However, I was disappointed with Dreaming For Freud and it did not meet my high expectations.
First, I didn’t think the characters of Freud and Dora (the seventeen-year-old patient) were completely developed. I found it difficult understand the bond between doctor and patient that was supposed to be there. At one point, Dora felt totally dependent on Freud. However, I don’t know how she got there.
Throughout the book, she seemed resentful towards Freud; far from being dependent. I would have liked to know how she became so enamored of him. I only felt her anger and bitterness for Freud’s lack of understanding of her problems.
The same thing can be said for Freud’s character. He seemed very self-absorbed and not digging very deep to help his patient. He was obsessed with dreams; whether they helped his patient or not. I would like to have read more about his theories and how he truly helped his patients. He seemed very detached. So, when he became very attached to Dora I found it a little perplexing. It didn’t make sense.
The ending seemed a little haphazard. In order to have resolution of the characters, the narrative kept bouncing back and forth between past and present. Dora’s adult life didn’t really fit with how she was as a teenager. I think this is where more development was needed to better explain Dora’s life. I felt Dora’s adult life was too disconnected from her teenage years to be plausible.
The one thing I did like about this book is the cover. It is beautiful and really grabs your attention. It makes you want to open the books and start reading. However, I wish the story matched the cover. I don’t regret reading this book, but I do wish it had a little more depth to the characters.
- See more at: http://www.reddirtreport.com/rustys-r...
OKLAHOMA CITY - From the day I was asked to review this book I was intrigued. I loved the cover and the storyline sounded fascinating. I have read other pieces of historical fiction that focused on Freud and I found those to be engaging and enjoyable. However, I was disappointed with Dreaming For Freud and it did not meet my high expectations.
First, I didn’t think the characters of Freud and Dora (the seventeen-year-old patient) were completely developed. I found it difficult understand the bond between doctor and patient that was supposed to be there. At one point, Dora felt totally dependent on Freud. However, I don’t know how she got there.
Throughout the book, she seemed resentful towards Freud; far from being dependent. I would have liked to know how she became so enamored of him. I only felt her anger and bitterness for Freud’s lack of understanding of her problems.
The same thing can be said for Freud’s character. He seemed very self-absorbed and not digging very deep to help his patient. He was obsessed with dreams; whether they helped his patient or not. I would like to have read more about his theories and how he truly helped his patients. He seemed very detached. So, when he became very attached to Dora I found it a little perplexing. It didn’t make sense.
The ending seemed a little haphazard. In order to have resolution of the characters, the narrative kept bouncing back and forth between past and present. Dora’s adult life didn’t really fit with how she was as a teenager. I think this is where more development was needed to better explain Dora’s life. I felt Dora’s adult life was too disconnected from her teenage years to be plausible.
The one thing I did like about this book is the cover. It is beautiful and really grabs your attention. It makes you want to open the books and start reading. However, I wish the story matched the cover. I don’t regret reading this book, but I do wish it had a little more depth to the characters.
- See more at: http://www.reddirtreport.com/rustys-r...
August 2, 2014
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
I have mixed feelings about Sheila Kohler's Dreaming for Freud. In retrospect, I think the novel's tone and underlying message intensely creative, but I have serious questions regarding its appeal among wider audiences.
First and foremost, I couldn't personally relate to Kohler's narrators. Freud and Dora are cold, self-absorbed and manipulative and while I can appreciate those character flaws, I think I would have enjoyed the story more if Kohler had balanced these blemishes with a couple redeeming qualities.
To make matters worse, I felt myself at a disadvantage with the material, both historic and conceptual. I wasn't familiar with the case study or particularly well-versed in Freud's theories when I first picked up the novel and ultimately spent more time researching the facts than I did with the finished manuscript.
Looking back, I can claim a certain admiration for Kohler's style and thesis, but generally speaking I'd be very hesitant to recommend this particular novel forward.
I have mixed feelings about Sheila Kohler's Dreaming for Freud. In retrospect, I think the novel's tone and underlying message intensely creative, but I have serious questions regarding its appeal among wider audiences.
First and foremost, I couldn't personally relate to Kohler's narrators. Freud and Dora are cold, self-absorbed and manipulative and while I can appreciate those character flaws, I think I would have enjoyed the story more if Kohler had balanced these blemishes with a couple redeeming qualities.
To make matters worse, I felt myself at a disadvantage with the material, both historic and conceptual. I wasn't familiar with the case study or particularly well-versed in Freud's theories when I first picked up the novel and ultimately spent more time researching the facts than I did with the finished manuscript.
Looking back, I can claim a certain admiration for Kohler's style and thesis, but generally speaking I'd be very hesitant to recommend this particular novel forward.
August 22, 2015
3.5 stars. As usual with Sheila Kohler's writing, the style is spare and elegant, a joy to read. But somehow this novel didn't draw me into it the way her others did. I was expecting more tension and more suspense in the relationship between the girl (her name is undisclosed to us) and Freud. A good novel but not great like The Bay of Foxes.
September 25, 2024
Dreaming for Freud is a captivating exploration of Sigmund Freud's life and work, blending historical fiction with psychological insight. The novel delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by the renowned psychoanalyst, offering a nuanced perspective on his groundbreaking theories.
Freud's belief in the significance of dreams is a central theme in the novel. Kohler explores the complex symbolism and hidden meanings that Freud sought to uncover within dreams, highlighting their potential to reveal unconscious desires and conflicts. The novel traces the evolution of Freud's psychoanalytic theories, from his early work on hysteria to his later explorations of the Oedipus complex and the unconscious mind. Kohler offers insights into the intellectual and personal influences that shaped Freud's groundbreaking ideas.
The novel delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by Freud, including his struggles with illness, family relationships, and the controversies surrounding his theories. Kohler offers a nuanced portrayal of the man behind the myth, highlighting his complexities and contradictions. The novel explores the lasting impact of Freud's work on psychology, culture, and society. Kohler examines the ways in which Freud's ideas have been both celebrated and criticized, and how they continue to shape our understanding of the human mind.
Dreaming for Freud is a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of the life and work of Sigmund Freud. Kohler's insightful analysis and engaging writing style make the novel a valuable resource for anyone interested in psychoanalysis, history, or the human mind. It offers a unique and illuminating perspective on one of the most influential figures in modern psychology.
Freud's belief in the significance of dreams is a central theme in the novel. Kohler explores the complex symbolism and hidden meanings that Freud sought to uncover within dreams, highlighting their potential to reveal unconscious desires and conflicts. The novel traces the evolution of Freud's psychoanalytic theories, from his early work on hysteria to his later explorations of the Oedipus complex and the unconscious mind. Kohler offers insights into the intellectual and personal influences that shaped Freud's groundbreaking ideas.
The novel delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by Freud, including his struggles with illness, family relationships, and the controversies surrounding his theories. Kohler offers a nuanced portrayal of the man behind the myth, highlighting his complexities and contradictions. The novel explores the lasting impact of Freud's work on psychology, culture, and society. Kohler examines the ways in which Freud's ideas have been both celebrated and criticized, and how they continue to shape our understanding of the human mind.
Dreaming for Freud is a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of the life and work of Sigmund Freud. Kohler's insightful analysis and engaging writing style make the novel a valuable resource for anyone interested in psychoanalysis, history, or the human mind. It offers a unique and illuminating perspective on one of the most influential figures in modern psychology.
April 17, 2019
Dreaming for Freud, Sheila Kohler
An interesting take on the meetings between Freud and the young woman he later referred to in a case study as Dora. Reimagined based on lots of research, we meet the young and striving Freud, determined to prove his theories about dreams. We also learn about the teenage Dora. A bright and educated girl, she is angered by her parents bad behavior and attempted manipulation of her life. Dora feels she has every right to be frustrated and this unhappiness is manifesting itself in diverse physical pain. Freud wants to help her and use her to further his theories - - so Dora dreams for him. Best of all Kohler imagines that Dora invents her dreams after reading the Dr's own book on dreams. She wants to help him so he will ultimately help her. Great interpretation of this very famous relationship. At times a slow read but ultimately an insightful look at the history of both people and Vienna at the turn of the twentieth century.
An interesting take on the meetings between Freud and the young woman he later referred to in a case study as Dora. Reimagined based on lots of research, we meet the young and striving Freud, determined to prove his theories about dreams. We also learn about the teenage Dora. A bright and educated girl, she is angered by her parents bad behavior and attempted manipulation of her life. Dora feels she has every right to be frustrated and this unhappiness is manifesting itself in diverse physical pain. Freud wants to help her and use her to further his theories - - so Dora dreams for him. Best of all Kohler imagines that Dora invents her dreams after reading the Dr's own book on dreams. She wants to help him so he will ultimately help her. Great interpretation of this very famous relationship. At times a slow read but ultimately an insightful look at the history of both people and Vienna at the turn of the twentieth century.
January 2, 2020
This story evolves itself around a 17 year old girl with pain and body aches who has just had enough, and when her father decides she should go to therapy to get cured, she is obliged to start treatment with a very well known doctor, who has a different way to deal with her symptoms: Dr. Sigmund Freud. We see both perspectives of this plausible not so effective therapy session, that lasted only about three months.we get to know secrets from the patient's life and the connections they have with Freud and his intimate life too.
This novel is of fiction but is a very intriguing and interesting read, Kohler does demonstrate her writing skills, and i think this book should be more popular. Defenitely recommended, very light read with great vocabulary
This novel is of fiction but is a very intriguing and interesting read, Kohler does demonstrate her writing skills, and i think this book should be more popular. Defenitely recommended, very light read with great vocabulary
November 5, 2024
I've been in a serious reading slump this year. This was the first book I read cover to cover in one and a half days. When I went though my psychoanalysis fascination last summer, I never read about the Dora Case, so maybe I ended up with a more rosy colored portrait of Freud than I otherwise would have. I was disturbed by the way Freud analyzed her, but I couldn't put the book down because of Kohler's writing style and the way she characterized both Dora and Freud. I want to read other books by her now. And continue to learn about Freud.
May 28, 2020
I love the author’s writing style but lost interest partway through. Because of the writing style I might check out other books the author has written.
I will say the book does have me look differently at Freud and I wonder what really happened between the girl and the Zs. I feel like we never get the complete story but I suppose neither did Freud.
I will say the book does have me look differently at Freud and I wonder what really happened between the girl and the Zs. I feel like we never get the complete story but I suppose neither did Freud.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2019
I picked up this book and couldn't put it down till the end. Strong sexual desires, dark, and ever so interesting.
July 13, 2014
Sigmund Freud began his practice of psychoanalysis with few patients and none who stayed long enough for him to believe he had completed a cure for their psychological problems. This is his story (because it is fiction) which the author has him writing as an account. It will contain everything about the famous patient, Dora, whom he treated. This was a patient who was rich, pampered, and defying her parents and anyone who encountered her. The reader will immediately recognize that the relationship between Freud and her was more fraught with trouble from the start!
The entire account is questionable in one sense because of Freud’s expression before he begins writing, stating it will be his act of possession, his payback (paraphrased) or price to be paid for her leaving his treatment without permission and in clear violation of his therapeutic recommendation. With such a statement, the reader might question how valid and reliable can be from a scientific point of view, but the reader becomes so quickly engaged in the account that one forgets the initial, questionable reflections so clearly indicative of powerful transference and counter-transference.
Dora when she begins treatment is 18 years old and Freud diagnoses her as an hysteric. The interaction is fascinating, revealing as much about the early 1900s in Vienna. Freud is a new therapist yearning for the approval of the psychology community of professionals and yet he is still building his theory through what he observes in his practice, especially with Dora. At first she tries to manipulate him with lies and with her assertions that her father has ulterior motives for mandating this therapy, but gradually the reader discovers a hint of her true motives. These stunningly vivid scenes keep the reading enthralled and one is able to enter the doctor’s mind and feelings as he carefully responds or is silent at the appropriate moments.
For believers of Freud’s psychoanalytic method of treatment, this novel will be enthralling; for others less familiar with the particularities of this type of psychoanalytic treatment, it will be a fascinating story and education in one phase of Freud’s life and work. Nicely done, Ms. Kohler!
The entire account is questionable in one sense because of Freud’s expression before he begins writing, stating it will be his act of possession, his payback (paraphrased) or price to be paid for her leaving his treatment without permission and in clear violation of his therapeutic recommendation. With such a statement, the reader might question how valid and reliable can be from a scientific point of view, but the reader becomes so quickly engaged in the account that one forgets the initial, questionable reflections so clearly indicative of powerful transference and counter-transference.
Dora when she begins treatment is 18 years old and Freud diagnoses her as an hysteric. The interaction is fascinating, revealing as much about the early 1900s in Vienna. Freud is a new therapist yearning for the approval of the psychology community of professionals and yet he is still building his theory through what he observes in his practice, especially with Dora. At first she tries to manipulate him with lies and with her assertions that her father has ulterior motives for mandating this therapy, but gradually the reader discovers a hint of her true motives. These stunningly vivid scenes keep the reading enthralled and one is able to enter the doctor’s mind and feelings as he carefully responds or is silent at the appropriate moments.
For believers of Freud’s psychoanalytic method of treatment, this novel will be enthralling; for others less familiar with the particularities of this type of psychoanalytic treatment, it will be a fascinating story and education in one phase of Freud’s life and work. Nicely done, Ms. Kohler!
April 17, 2015
there was nothing objectively *wrong* with this book but it also added very little to the story of Dora and Freud. Read this only if you really don't want to deal with the original. Freud is a wonderful prose stylist (at least in German) and has had competent translators over the years. When I finished this book (which took all of about 1 hour), I just wanted to go back and reread The Analysis of Dreams. Dreaming for Freud, at least in my mind, reduces Dora's story to a cliche, whereas I believe Freud wanted to do just the opposite - show his patient as an intelligent woman with an imaginative (albeit dysfunctional) way of coping with very real issues of sexuality and inhibition.
Ok airplane fodder but nothing more.
Ok airplane fodder but nothing more.
October 17, 2022
Could not get beyond page 30 with this one. I'm glad I got it from the Dollar Tree.
Here's what stopped me from fighting through a story I thought would be interesting: Her way of writing where she didn't use characters' names, her usage of pronouns, and constantly changing points of view.
She can start a paragraph with "he," which should mean she is referring to the last person in the proceeding paragraph. You don't know, though, until you read the entire paragraph that, no, she is actually referring to someone else. It all got to be mind-boggling, so I moved onto a new Inspector Banks novel.
Here's what stopped me from fighting through a story I thought would be interesting: Her way of writing where she didn't use characters' names, her usage of pronouns, and constantly changing points of view.
She can start a paragraph with "he," which should mean she is referring to the last person in the proceeding paragraph. You don't know, though, until you read the entire paragraph that, no, she is actually referring to someone else. It all got to be mind-boggling, so I moved onto a new Inspector Banks novel.
dnf
December 26, 2014Pages read: 22
From what I've read, I suspect this book is actually pretty good. Kohler's a talented author and I enjoyed the previous novel of hers I read. However, the book is told using pronouns exclusively in the third person narration, and I really can't handle it. "She did this and thought that. She walked down the stairs." It's all about Freud and this girl, and I don't even know her name two chapters in. I cannot deal.
From what I've read, I suspect this book is actually pretty good. Kohler's a talented author and I enjoyed the previous novel of hers I read. However, the book is told using pronouns exclusively in the third person narration, and I really can't handle it. "She did this and thought that. She walked down the stairs." It's all about Freud and this girl, and I don't even know her name two chapters in. I cannot deal.
October 29, 2014
While reading this book, I found myself going back to Freud to make sense of this preposterous profile of Freud. The author portrays a neurotic obsessive misogynist, which may or may not be so, but it trivializes his work, by suggesting that he was willing to bastardize his findings based on a lustful attraction to a girl who rebuffs him.
For a short book I found it to be a slow and disquieting read.
For a short book I found it to be a slow and disquieting read.
September 5, 2016
I started out intrigued - a good subject for historical fiction - the story behind Freud and his young case study. Yet, it never delivered for me - boring, loosely connected, characters' motivations not clear/developed. Dora's adult life did not seem necessary to the story nor did it make any sense from how she was as an adolescent. But the author's writing style is well done, so I believe her other books could be quite good - just not this book.
August 25, 2015
I really enjoy Sheila Kohler's writing style, but I felt the same way about this novel as I did about Becoming Jane Eyre: something was missing. I think the novel was rather vague overall--I didn't feel like I was sunk into the characters' lives or their world. I would definitely give more novels of Kohler's a try, though.
June 10, 2016
Interesting historical fiction. Centering around Sigmund Freud and a 17 year old patient. I really had to force myself to finish this book. It dragged for me. I don't think I appreciate the psychological thriller as novel. The writing style is elegant and I enjoyed the descriptions of the lifestyles at the turn of the century.
August 6, 2014
Interesting, but not really compelling. The last section seemed weak, so focused on summing up all the years for Dora/Ida, rather than a satisfying conclusion to the narrative begun in the doctor's office ...
January 3, 2015
An intriguing premise, to explore the interactions of Freud with one of his more famous patients and case study, but I felt it didn't really do it justice, and all too soon the book wraps things up by jumping into the later lives of the main characters.
November 11, 2014
I really enjoyed this read. It gave me a better idea of how psychologist really worked in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
August 28, 2014
Interesting walk into Freud's mind and world through eyes of a teenaged patient.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews