Very well written, literary, well researched. Congratulations to the author for having come up with a new version of the Oedipal myth -- He is quite right, Laius orders that the infant Oedipus shall be exposed on a mountain side, with his heels sewed together (so Oedipus cannot crawl)-- thus giving Oedipus his name when he is rescued (unknown to Laius). The fatheer tries to murder the son -- long before Oedipus kills Laius. Laius knows who he tries to kill. Oedipus kills Laius in dispute over who shall precede through a mountain passage (oh - how vaginal), not knowing that the old man with whom he disputes the mountain pass is his biological father. Thanks.

Sorry. I meant the intersection of Canal Street and Second Avenue referred to at page 244 should have been Allen Street, not Essex.

I loved every word, and had to read it in a single sitting.

I have 2 specific comments:

At page 244, after Littlemore is struck by the Stanley Steamer, "the car sped away [from Canal Street] down Second Avenue."
I think that may be incorrect, as even back in 1909 Canal Street and Second Avenue did not intersect. I believe the street it sped down would have been Essex.

At page 356, I don't understand Freud's explanation of Younger's rejection of the Oedipus complex. Correctly applied, wouldn't he have been jealous of Freud, and therefore happy for Freud to "take myself away from you...?" By the way, would Freud have used "complex," in that conversation, albeit that he and Jung have reconciled, but for "Not very long?"

NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW...
In her review in the New York Times, Janet Maslin says, "Credit Mr. Rubenfeld with a smart, jocular approach to an elaborate undertaking. His will be no ordinary pop-cultural sensation." She concludes by stating that THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER has, "its own brand of excitement."

In the September issue of GQ, Elizabeth Wurtzel, author of Prozac Nation reviews THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER and says,

"The book is fun and fantastic. You can look for the deeper meaning in Freud and Jung's lovers' quarrel, or you can just skip to the dirty parts. Who knew that in 1909 one could have a dear friend give you a Brazilian shave?"
-

“The Interpretation of Murder is truly a magnificent book. Sprawling and epic and jaw-dropping all at the same time. Anyone who can put it down 150 pages from the end has more willpower than I did.”

http://bookhound.wordpress.com

“My prediction: Yale Law School Professor Jed Rubenfeld's first novel, The Interpretation of Murder, will be a smashing commercial success. If you enjoy murder mysteries, you will devour this book.”

www.theconglomerate.org

“The real life events meld seemlessly with the fictional (though Rubenfeld separates the two in the endnotes for the curious). Meticulously researched, this is an unputdownable novel with breathing characters, a fast-paced plot and intelligent dialogue.”

www.sibaweb.com

“In all, it was one of the most entertaining mysteries I've read in a while. Although I hesitate to compare it to Dan Brown (the writing is much, much better and the situations much more plausible), I can see how it could appeal to the same audience, the sort of people who want their complex novels peppered with History Channel-type edu-tainment.”

www.beggingtodiffer.com

"The book is chock full of tidbits about life in the City, including some well-researched observations about the development of the professional police force, psychology, and life as a member of the social elite."

www.concurringopinions.com

LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW.
Library Journal has weighed in with a Starred Review of THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER saying, "This is a gloriously intelligent exploration of what might have happened to Sigmund Freud during his only visit to America." The reviewer goes on to say, "Rubenfeld shows great talent for psychological suspense...Fans of Caleb Carr will adore this work."

An Entertainment Weekly Must Read! Entertainment Weekly has named THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER a Must Read saying "This Yale law prof has created a compelling, expertly crafted murder mystery with his debut novel...Carefully researched detail is just one reason INTERPRETATION is shaping up to be this year's HISTORIAN.

Time.com. is featuring THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER as one of "Publishing's Next Page Turners" in an article that is looking ahead to the 10 biggest books for Fall 2007.

Excellent, fast paced mystery woven around Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud's analytical theories, New York at the turn of the century and even interpretations of Hamlet. I loved it!

It is an amazing, fantastic page-turner, that at its core shows a marvelous new writer on the literary landscape.....bravo and thanks!
Joshua Jason
Los Angeles, CA

It truly is a remarkable book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read about a book a week, and this is by far my favorite novel of the last year or so. I look forward to forthcoming books from Mr. Rubenfeld.
Cindy Brann

What an exquisite read. I received an Advance Readers Copy and devoured it - page by page.

All the best in the promotion and sale of this book ...here's to the bestseller list!

Don Pape
Colorado Springs, CO

What a compelling story! The balance of fiction and truth kept the story rolling until the end, when I realized who the killer was!
Advertise and talk it up, this book will sell quite well.

After reading just the first few pages, I was extremely impressed with the very high quality of the writing.

The integrity of the author as shown by the careful & painstaking research done to accurately portray the historical setting and characters - and the thoughtful afterword in which the author explained his fictional additions for plot purposes - were all greatly appreciated.

The information about the construction of the Manhattan bridge was a wonderful addition. It's worth reading the book just to learn that important piece of American history - (and it features prominently in the plot).

This book has a roller coaster of a plot, with as many twists and turns as anyone could possibly wish for.

"Ok, I just finished the book and the first word that comes to mind is BRILLIANT! There is no question that THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER is not only the best book of 2006, but probably the best book I've read in years! I LOVED THIS BOOK!"

- Eric, Barnes & Noble,
Arlington, TX

"I'm 3/4 of the way through Jed Rubenfeld's phenomenal book that you were gracious enough to send to me.....this is absolutely brilliant!!! The research is fantastic as is the incredible writing. The beauty of the book actuallly starts with the cover.....whoever designed that deserves some hearty applause as it is not only very clever but most eye-catching. I certainly didn't think that the subject matter would appeal to me but I have been riveted to these pages....it truly is a bold page-turner!!!"

- Gail Foster,
Mysteries & More Bookstore, Novato, CA

"WOW! THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER is truly one of the better thrillers to come out over the past years. The detail that Jed Rubenfeld built into the story is wonderful... and the blending of the emergence of psychoanalysis in America with Hamlet is a fantastic touch."

-- Dan Radovich,
Barnes & Noble,
Vernon Hills, IL

"THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER is a bold page-turner that propels us from the start with a driving plot and intriguing characters, but also with ideas - a whole history of ideas. It's a richly motivated thriller that will make you reconsider the mysteries of Freud and Hamlet. Here is a novel that you'll only want to put down in order to think more about the book."

-- Matthew Pearl,
author of THE DANTE CLUB