This is a semi-fictional, historical account from the point of view of the woman who was referred to as “Anna O” in the first case study in Freud’s and Breuer’s Studies on Hysteria. It gives the lay person an intimate look at “hysterical illness” while also managing to entertain. The author gives a relatable voice to a person who may otherwise simply be a case study of mental illness and creates a character that one can sympathize with and even relate to, despite her rather intense mental issues.

This book can be read and enjoyed by the general fiction reader, but an interest in psychology and Freud’s work would give the book more meaning. I’m certain that background knowledge of the history would strengthen the appeal of the book; however, even though I had forgotten that the book was about a case study from Freud’s Studies on Hysteria, I was interested in Bertha’s story. The story just made a lot more sense to me once I read the author’s note. This would be of interest to students of history and psychology. The language and writing give the book the aura of being not only about the past, but written in the past as well; it gives the story a feeling of authenticity which may have to do with the fact that the author researched the notes of Josef Breuer, Bertha’s doctor, among other documents to write this book. I had the pdf version and I’m assuming that my issue was a technical glitch because oftentimes at the bottom of the page, words or sentences seemed to be cut out and I simply had to guess how the sentence or paragraph would end.

I found this to be a very interesting, if somewhat befuddling, story. As I mentioned before, I had forgotten that this story was based on a case study from Studies on Hysteria, so I was rather surprised at the course that Bertha’s illness took. Once I remembered the background of the story it made sense because her symptoms presented in such a way as to fit very well into Freudian theory. The author points out that many scholars with current knowledge have tried to diagnose Bertha; the author’s theory is that she suffered from a type of temporal lobe epilepsy. Breuer himself often worried that he was misdiagnosing a physical illness. It was a very interesting story and I believe the title was very aptly chosen. I would definitely recommend it.

© 2014 Natalie Kelley-Wilson

Natalie Kelley-Wilson graduated from Allegheny College with a BA in English Lit. and from Clarion University with a Masters in Library Science. Currently she works at her town’s public library and the county historical society. Email: nataliekelleywilson82@gmail.com