Disclosure #1 I listened to this collection of essays in audio format, and it was probably not the right format for me. I’m used to audio-books for fiction, even big ones (I listened to Stephen King’s 11.22.63 all 36 hours of amazing story), but I’m not that used to audio non-fiction. I thought that given that I listen to many podcasts, that would not be a problem. Turns out, this collection was a bit difficult to follow. Some essays were really going into details I did not follow and I had trouble concentrating for some 30 minutes on some specific topics, so I DNF-ed a few (maybe 3 or 4). Apart from that, the reading was clear and nice to listen to.
Disclosure #2 when I was a teenager I fell headlong into Freud and became obsessed by its theories for a few years. It was fascinating to me that dreams had hidden meanings or that slips of the tongue might reveal some secrets that my conscious mind didn’t want to reveal. All this to say that I consider myself familiar with Freud’s theories and life. Still, this collection of essays taught me lots of new things, both details of his life or his theories, or new ways to understand them. Some writers did write about Freud’s influence through psychoanalysis in their own life, and I must say that it was hit and miss for me. Other essays, like Cold Toibin’s or Siri Hustvedt’s, were really interesting. I don’t think that the collection might appeal to people who aren’t familiar with Freud, but I may be mistaken.
I’m glad that I was given the chance to see Freud through approaches so widely different: from rejection to honoring his legacy despite his shortcomings, from tragedy to humor, from family history to short story. Who knew Freud would resonate in so many aspects of those writers’ lives and ideas? Siri Hustvedt’s essay, that concludes the book, is a memorable synthesis as to why he is still relevant today. I wouldn’t mind re-reading a few of his essays.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book for review consideration.
Smithereens 
I know very little about Freud beyond the very basics of his work. And this does not tempt me, but it is an interesting premise for a collection of essays!