Few pieces of scholarship will leave sordid thoughts in your brain quite like Sigmund Freud's theory of the Oedipus complex. Kill Dad, sleep with Mom? No thanks! Yet Freud did just fine with the ladies, leading us to wonder: What kind of woman could possibly have been attracted to such a dirty old man? Among the plethora of women who swooned over the good Doktor was his wife's sister Minna Bernays, with whom he had a long-term affair. While the world will never know why Bernays wanted to sleep with a man who believed his attraction to her was directly correlated to the qualities she shared with his mother, Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman creatively reveal one romantic scenario in their new book of historical fiction, Freud's Mistress. Written from Bernays' perspective, the novel documents the desires and difficulties of the affair through the experiences of Freud's witty and outspoken lover. Co-authors and Los Angeles locals Mack — a Golden Globe recipient for her film and television productions — and Kaufman — an award-winning former L.A. Times writer — will sign and discuss their new novel at Diesel in celebration of the book's recent release. Diesel, Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., Brentwd.; Tues., July 9, 7 p.m.; free, book is $25.95. (310) 576-9960, dieselbookstore.com.

Tue., July 9, 7 p.m., 2013

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