Kahr, B. (ed) (2016) with illustrations by Alison Bechdel Tea with Winnicott London:  Karnac

This book provides an introduction to Winnicott and his work through the conceit of a posthumous interview. From the opening scene when the curtain opens on this piece of theatre, the reader is effortlessly and enjoyably engaged whilst absorbing a thorough introduction to Winnicott and his work. Many times, I had to remind myself that I was reading a work of fiction - the figure that Kahr creates is so convincing and so coherent, it is easy to forget that the two men never met. Both the boyish and the serious aspects of Winnicott's character are conveyed throughout the interview; he is delighted, in an unpompous way, with news that Kahr brings of the popularity of his writings and he is concerned and deeply saddened to hear that the life of Masud Khan, one of his most famous analysands, had unravelled in a destructive tragedy.

The book brilliantly succeeds in its aim of providing an overview for trainees, but will probably give even more pleasure to older therapists who already feel they know Winnicott a bit and who may enjoy spotting anecdotes they have read, as well as the pleasure of picturing Winnicott speaking with Brett about the most familiar papers. There were moments where I wondered if the politeness and the tea pouring could become too much, but the dose of charm was just right, and most importantly, the shadow side of Winnicott and his work - the possible manic work level, the eccentric boundaries and the disaster of Masud Khan's life were addressed squarely. Being one of those who has always speculated about sibling rivalry between Winnicott and Bowlby, I was delighted that Kahr pressed Winnicott on this - especially as he had interviewed the real John Bowlby and asked him the same question. My impression was that, at this point, Winnicott is appropriately depicted as responding a little defensively.

A great pleasure in this book is that much of what is presented feels familiar but much detail is new. What on one level is playful and might be considered a