A Curable Romantic

Starred review from May 31, 2010
Skibell's fat, cheeky, and sweeping latest begins in early 1895 Austria when his endearing protagonist, young Dr. Jakob Sammelsohn, comes face-to-face with Sigmund Freud in a room full of mirrors that create an ironic "unending trail of Freuds." Eventually, the story follows Sammelsohn through the shadow of Freud, the arms of several lovers, and eventually to the Warsaw ghetto, providing a grand portrait of Eastern Europe, but it is the initial setup of Sammelsohn as a naïve crucible for Freud's vicarious obsessions that makes Skibell (A Blessing on the Moon) more of a social satirist than a straightforward portraitist. In the figure of Sammelsohn, we see the timid makings of the modern psychoanalytic man: the young doctor is, at heart, a lonely romantic led into a bungle of overanalysis in a world "glittering with the usual accoutrements of late-century masquerade," sporting the foolish instrumentation of "monocles, lorgnettes, pince-nez, stickpins, watchfobs" and an "assortment of impractical hats." Skibell's delicious juxtaposition of Sammelsohn against the cocainesnorting Freud, and Sammelsohn's infatuation with the "cruel, vindictive, haughty, caustic, dismissive, even murderous" character of Emma Eckstein, one of Freud's patients, make for a magnetic collection of personalities.

Starred review from July 1, 2010
This is a fascinating, ambitious, and very successful novel about Jewish folklore, the quest for spiritual truth, and the darkest days of the 20th century. As he did in "A Blessing on the Moon" Skibell blends gritty realism with elements of fantasy and magical realism. His protagonist is Dr. Jakob Sammelsohn, an earnest, well-intentioned young man he takes on a tour through major 20th-century intellectual circles. Over the course of the novel, Jakob befriends and discusses psychology with Sigmund Freud, champions Esperanto and the universal-language movement, and finds himself captive in the Warsaw ghetto in 1940. Throughout this journey, he is haunted by the spirit of his former wife, who may or may not be a malicious dybbuk pursuing him through reincarnation. There are intellectual debates about psychology and science (including discredited ideas that once seemed revolutionary), as well as heartfelt discussions of complex spiritual matters. VERDICTIt is to Skibell's credit that this complex plot comes off as believable, engaging, and often inspiring. Highly recommended for readers of literary fiction.—Patrick Sullivan, Manchester Community Coll., CT

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2010

Dr. Jakob Sammelsohn, an oculist, falls in love with two different women at two different periods in 20th-century history--and along the way prominent figures, most notably Sigmund Freud, get caught up in his relationships.

At first Sammelsohn has the misfortune to become smitten with Emma Eckstein, one of Freud's most famous patients. While love is always a complicated affair, the complications become more extraordinary when the object of your affection is herself in love with Freud and displaces this relationship onto you. Sammelsohn finds that Emma is more than he can handle when she begins to channel Ita, Sammelsohn's young wife, who had died by suicide on their wedding night, when her husband was only 12. When Emma is committed to a hospital for symptoms of hysteria, Sammelsohn consults Freud to try to figure out how to deal with her strong desire to consummate the relationship--and, ironically, Freud is technically brilliant in his diagnosis but flustered by the reality of this woman. The narrative then shifts to a lengthy discussion of Dr. Ludovik Leyzer Zamenhof, creator of Esperanto and motivated by the universal language movement to seek peace and harmony. One of his followers is Fr�ulein Lo� Bernfeld, with whom Sammelsohn falls desperately in love. Unlike his relationship with Emma, this relationship is consummated (in a scene that manages to be simultaneously both comic and erotic) and eventually leads to their marriage (destined, alas, not to last). Finally, the narrative shifts to the Warsaw Ghetto in the late 1930s, where Sammelsohn becomes involved in a bizarre scheme with an outr� rabbi, but he emerges triumphant, eventually heading to the promised land of Palestine, thanks to the ghostly and angelic visitations of the late Ita.

A leisurely paced novel from master stylist Skibell (The English Disease, 2003, etc.), who does a fine job of acquainting the reader with 20th-century European intellectual culture.

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Starred review from August 1, 2010
Skibells sweeping, imaginative epic chronicles the tumultuous life of an endearing protagonist, Dr. Jakob Sammelsohn, which includes a unique relationship with Sigmund Freud, the universal language movement, and WWII. In 1895 Vienna, Sammelsohn, an oculist, is love-struck by Emma Eckstein, one of Freuds best-known patients. Sammelsohns pursuit of Eckstein becomes complicated when she is possessed by the spirit of Sammelsohns childhood bride, Ita, who committed suicide after being abandoned the day of their wedding. While Freud and Sammelsohn argue over the best treatment for Eckstein, Ita and Sammelsohns relationship deepens, culminating in a mystical scene. Later, Sammelsohn meets Dr. Ludovik Leyzer Zamenhof, creator of Esperanto, and becomes immersed in the language and its ideals of worldwide peace. One of Esperantos outspoken proponents is the wealthy Lo' Bernfeld, with whom Sammelsohn quickly falls in love. Though the two marry, Ita continues to pursue Sammelsohn, making an inopportune appearance at a crucial delegation meeting. Finally, Sammelsohns journey brings him to the terrors of 1940 Warsaw, where, with the help of a rebbe, he embarks on an otherworldly voyage. Skibell (The English Disease, 2003) crafts a vivid, artfully clever tale grounded in turn-of-the century Europe.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)

Starred review from November 29, 2010
Dr. Jakob Sammuelsohn shares his astute and often sardonic views of the Jewish communities of Europe from 1890s Vienna to the 1940 Warsaw ghetto in Skibell’s lush historical novel. After he falls in love at first sight with Emma Eckstein, Freud’s famous patient, Sammuelsohn becomes a member of Freud’s circle. Eventually, his attention wanders, and his unrewarding love for Emma is displaced by the allure of other women, including Loe Bernfeld, a famous proponent of Esperanto. Jeff Woodman is a chameleon. He vanishes into each character and milks every satiric ounce out of Skibell’s merry novel in one of the best audios of the year. An Algonquin hardcover (Reviews, May 31).