Lions at Lamb House: Freud's 'Lost' Analysis of Henry James

by Edwin M. Yoder Jr.

In 1908, an Austrian psychiatrist visits southern England at the urgent request of a Boston colleague, who fears his brother's intention to rewrite his early novels may be the sign of debilitating neuroses. The Austrian doctor is Sigmund Freud. The Boston psychologist is William James, and the novelist is his brother Henry. Over the course of ten days, the worlds of psychology and literature joust and collide.

Genres: Fiction

239 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Susan]

Perhaps the first of several dozen Europa books that I didn't enjoy...love Henry James, love the Europa books, but this book lacked the vitality and wit of a real interchange between James and Freud...oddly stilted dialogue, no charm...

[Antoniette Greta]

This book is a struggle to read. It is pretty much a transcript of monologues and pedantic, pretentious conversation. The little action that happens throughout the story is repeated over and over again in cumbersome conversations and in the letters and in the journal entries written by the characters themselves. How many times do we have to read about every little eventful thing?

Over all a very frustrating read.

[Heidi]

Very heavy and turgid. I got the feeling the author was not a novelist, but liked the concept and gave it a go. I just could not plow my way through it, and gave up. DNF.

[Gabriel Valjan]

If you are fan of Henry James then you might enjoy this book. If I had to pair the book with another book, I would recommend Colm Tóibín’s The Master. Both books deal with what if. Yoder’s asks, What if Freud analyzed Henry James in 1908 at Lamb House. Tóibín asks what if we knew what James was thinking and feeling when he failed at writing plays between 1895 and 1900. Both writers dare to imitate the Jamesian style as the sincerest form of flattery, but I think that Tóibín did the better job because he demonstrates a far greater command of nuance. Yoder simply takes on too much: first with James himself and then Sigmund Freud and if that were not enough, Edith Wharton. He captures their tone, but it borders on parody. Tóibín shows James’s pain, repressed desires, sibling rivalry and self-loathing. Much as I tried, I couldn’t finish Lions at Lamb House. The setup didn’t work for me and I couldn’t help but compare it to Tóibín’s The Master.

[Erik]

Henry James, who I know very little about, is analyzed by Sigmund Freud, who I know more about. Kind of fun, though it does lag a bit in the middle. One should also be somewhat familiar with both of these guys - I felt like I missed out a lot on the Henry James references, though Yoder does paint him as a larger than life character. A high-brow summer read.

[Helena]

I'm pretty sure the only reason I love literary theory so much is because it's the only thing left that can make any real use of psychoanalysis. Shutting Henry James (who I would marry in a heartbeat, if only he would have me) up with Sigmund Freud is a delightful concept and Yoder reaffirms the multitude of reasons I love these two men so dearly.

[Cathy]

This was one of the best books I have read ... bar none! It is a fictional account of an alleged meeting between Sigmund Freud and Henry James. It even features "letters" between James and Edith Wharton.

Beautifully written, a very enjoyable, intellectual and FUN read!

Highly recommended!

[Cher Staite]

Well written albeit pretentious as hell. I kept thinking, "oh puleeze" but I enjoyed the fact the prose made me think. Made want to read Henry James. Nice to read something positive about Freud for a change. I like Europa books because of all the reviews on the back pages.

[Paula]

Henry James is analysed by Sigmund Freud. It was fun, smoothly written and perfect for travelling.

[Ann]

I just couldn't get into this book. I didn't even make it through the first chapter, which is strange for me.

[Ellen]

OK - but a bit pretentious...

[Elizabeth]

This book was a little dull, and I had trouble getting through it. Not really up my alley, I guess.