HYSTERICAL: Anna Freud’s Story (a novel)

The fact-based, fictional autobiography of Sigmund Freud’s lesbian daughter.

Imagine growing up queer in a household where your world-renowned father calls lesbianism a gateway to mental illness. It is always, he said, caused by the father, and it is usually curable by psychoanalysis.

Now imagine that he analyzes you.

Weaving a grand tale out of a pile of crazy facts, Hysterical: Anna Freud’s Story lets the pioneering child psychologist freely examine the forces that shaped her life. Booklist called it “avidly researched, shrewd, and unnerving” as well as “complexly entertaining, sexually dramatic, [and] acidly funny.” LAMDA Literary said it’s “got a plot so rife with tension it’ll make you squirm.” Oprah’s O Magazine recommended it as summer reading. The Ms. Magazine blog called Hysterical “as funny and occasionally frightening as the title hints.” Hysterical was named an Over the Rainbow book by the American Library Association. See more reviews.

Rebecca is a nationally known science journalist and humorist, which has resulted in a book that is moving and funny but that also sticks very closely to the bone of truth. She is available to speak to university and high school classes and to professional associations. She can also speak for free with bookclubs worldwide by Zoom. (She can meet in-person in New York City.) Contact her with a request.

To Buy | Sample | Praise | Bibliography
Readers Guide for Book Clubs | Truth vs. Fiction “Cheat Sheet” | Backgrounder |
Speaking Engagements | To Buy

Hysterical: Anna Freud’s Story By Rebecca Coffey
She Writes Press, 2014
EAN: 978-1-938314-42-1 Trim : 5.5 x 8.5
Format : Paperback Pages : 360
BISAC Code – Category: FIC041000 – Fiction/Biographical
FIC025000 – Fiction/Psychological