The Interpretation of Murder: A Novel [Paperback]

 

 

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This is one outstanding read if you are a New Yorker who enjoys historical thrillers the way I do! With uncanny precision, Jed Rubenfeld accurately and colorfully describes turn of the twentieth century New York City at a time many historians consider to be the `incubator period' of what has shaped to become the modern day city of the world, while providing us with a fascinating thriller filled with some of the most interesting and unique characters ever to shape the pages of the fictionalized world: true life mentor/teacher soon-to-be nemesis Dr. Sigmund Freud and Dr. Carl Jung!

Through the author's considerable but flawless effort, the reader can actually feel the pulse and heartbeat of a resilient, yet awkward New York City as it begins to find itself. The physical awakening of America was seen through the eyes of the world as a concentration of activity evolving around New York City. In `The Interpretation of Murder' Jed Rubenfeld articulates to the reader New York City in the year 1909: a time when the city clearly began to distinguish itself from every other city in the world. With a sense of awkwardness, America's social denizens during the Gilded Age, still accustomed to the status of the golden crowns, yearned for approval: always being mindful of social status. In fact, as the author properly points out, `New York Society in the Gilded Age was essentially the creation of two very rich women, Mrs. Astor and Ms. Vanderbilt, and the titanic clash between them (a few years earlier).

Embarking off a transatlantic voyage into New York City in 1909 at the invitation of Clark University, Dr. Sigmund Freud, along with his young protégé' Dr. Carl Jung, and Sandor Ferenczi embark on a fascinating experience of New York City, filled with intrigue, back-stabbing, and murder! With credit due, it is through Rubenfeld's fascinating understanding of the relationship between two of the world's most fascinating men: Freud and Jung that the thriller holds itself tightly. In the midst of a clever mystery, the reader is brought into what could be assumed to be accurate dialogue that could have occurred between Freud and Jung as their adventure in New York, and mystery surrounding all sorts of mishaps continues. Through tightly woven dialogue, the reader gets to experience the, I expect, little known and talked about oddities that were Dr. Freud, including his ability to lie and fabricate issues, a proclivity toward sexual understanding, and his overall repulsiveness with America. Additionally, the fallen relationship between Freud and Jung, as built and destructed by Rubenfeld is brilliantly done.

In retrospect to the fat that this is a murder mystery, I believe the author would have been more suited to have the reader care about the victims of the crimes that occur. The story's ending could have been a bit more tightly constructed, which would have required for a tightening of the plot line and a bit more focus on characters staying in frame. Nevertheless, Rubenfeld delivers just enough to keep the reader flipping through the pages and wanting more.

`The Interpretation of Murder' by Jed Rubenfeld is a smart, highly entertaining read that gives insight into turn of the century New York, and so, the world. If you are a fan of the historical thriller, then this is a very good read. If you are a lover of New York City, and a lover of the historical thriller, this is a must read. Well done, Mr. Rubenfeld!

Mainly, this book refers to Dr. Freud's first and only trip to New York at the beginning of last century (1909) for some lectures about psychotherapy, which was just beginning in the USA. He was accompanied by Dr.Carl Jung and Dr. Sandor Ferenczi. I think that the author's own background (Mr. Rubenfeld wrote his thesis about Freud at Princeton and additionally studied Shakespeare), offers a very knowledgeable insight into this particular trip, after which it seems Freud returned to Europe feeling forever odd about his American experience.
Based on this fact -for many agree that Dr.Freud was somehow `traumatized' during his sojourn in the USA and biographers never could quite understand why- the author introduces us to the first fictitious character, Dr. Stratham Younger, a young psychoanalyst who welcomes his much admired and distinguished guest and his entourage upon their arrival. And this is where facts meet fiction.

`The Interpretation of Murder' is the product of the author's imagination trying to give an answer to what could have happened in New York that caused Dr. Freud so much distress. So in comes Dr. Younger, Freud's disciple. The day Freud arrives, a very beautiful young heiress is found murdered, the following day another young lady from a prominent family is found wounded and traumatized, but alive. It seems both crimes have been perpetrated by the same person. The second girl has lost her speech and remembers nothing. This is when Dr. Younger is contacted, to try and psychoanalyze this girl, Nora Acton, in order to help her regain her speech and memory. Younger seeks Dr. Freud's advice and the main story takes off from here, with the involvement of the local coroner and Detective Littlemore.

New York and part of its wealthy society are the main background. The City's skyline was constantly changed by the construction of new skyscrapers at the time and it is evident that the author made a thorough and diligent research into many historical and architectural details.

Parts of the book are spoken in first person (Dr. Younger's) and this adds credibility, almost an illusion that that was what really happened.

However, I think that unless you are really fond, into, or well informed about psychoanalysis in general, Freud, Jung, the Oedipal complex, the Hamlet etc., there is a fair chance that at least part of this book cannot be appreciated in its entirety. Learning, revising or freshen up on some long-ago studies can be an added bonus (it was for me), but the blending of too many theories and concepts can also depreciate the story. For example, Younger's many references to Shakespeare's Hamlet, with all due respect, were (my humble opinion) possibly connecting but mostly distracting, diverting attention from the main story line. To some degree, I think confusion -for the reader- prevailed, spoiling a quality that transpires but it is also obscured, made less perceptible.

To be or not to be? I wish I knew the answer. For now, I give this book 3 stars as it did not convince me in full, although I cannot say I `hated' it. On the one hand it is quite informative, on the other the murder mystery within is intriguing. Worth a try.

This book was brilliant! The author managed to blend history and fiction seamlessly. Mr Rubenfeld weaves his tale with great details, beautiful prose and brings it all together at the end. Even if you are a NYC history buff and know your Jung and Freud biographies, it's difficult to tell which is based in facts and which part is made-up. The book is a mix of thriller, murder-mystery and historical novel, all rolled-up in one. I was suprised at some of the events in the book that turned out to be true. I am looking forward to Mr Rubenfeld next book.

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