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This interesting volume attempts to correct a myth held in many quarters that Sandor Ferenczi was always either the loving, submissive child of an idealized Freud or the rebellious and eventually deviant son, by demonstrating that Ferenczi had a very original and independent mind of his own. His unpublished preanalytic writings are examined in great detail by Lorin, who puts them in the context of their sociocultural period in Hungary. What
emerges is considerable respect for Ferenczi and for his knowledge of literature and philosophy. His admirable character traits of courage and willingness to espouse unpopular causes (for example, that of the homosexual in society) come through. The breadth of Ferenczi's writings is quite fascinating. For example, he had a deep, somewhat naïve belief in the occult and influenced Freud to pursue an interest in this area and to participate with him in seances. Some of his writings—for example, on menstruation—and his belief in the poison theory of menstrual fluid illustrate his naïve espousal of popular myths because of his own internal needs.
In 1898, before having come into contact with Freud's ideas, he initiated a largely unsuccessful attempt at self-analysis via automatic writing. He was influenced in this by the Surrealist movement.
It is of interest to compare the breadth and nature of Ferenczi's preanalytic writings with those of Freud. Each clearly bears the characteristic stamp of its author. Ferenczi was more aroused by speculative passion. He was more clearly drawn to issues by his own personal needs and was more aroused to activism against social injustice than was Freud. To a careful reader, the strengths and weaknesses of Ferenczi's career can be found in embryo in this work. The book is a valuable addition to the early history of a great psychoanalytic pioneer.