I wasn't sure I even wanted to read this book. A retelling of Freud's quintessential case study but from the perspective of the case study herself? Freud in present day? Really? No one even offers Freudian psychotherapy anymore (and for good reason!). But after reading the first few pages, I was hooked.
Yuknavitch's Dora is a sharp-edged hilariously profane Seattle punk being raised by distant dysfunctional wealthy parents. She may be a bit more savvy than most seventeen year olds and far wittier than any seventeen year old. But you like her. She's fucked up and fabulous.
Freud is... well, Freud. Except the reader gets to experience more of Freud (truly!) than we've been privy to before. Jung's in there too in all his ethically questionable rave-attending drug-fueled goodness. Jung fits modern day so much better than Freud ever could. The relationship between Freud and Jung was the only disappointment in the novel. It's never fully explored. Yuknavitch's inclusion of it seemed perfunctory and obligatory rather than truly part of the plot.
Yuknavitch's writing is fast, funny, and good. Solidly, profoundly good. Her plots are slightly unbelievable and there a few too many coincidences, but the novel is readable and highly enjoyable. Also, Yuknavitch's construction of Dora's home life is gloriously rich for Freudian analysis and was truly a nod to Freudian theory.
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