Diary of a Fallen Psychoanalyst

The Work Books of Masud Khan 1967-1972

Editors: Linda Hopkins and Steven Kuchuck

Masud Khan (1924-1989), was an eminent and, ultimately, scandalous British psychoanalyst who trained and practised in London during an important period in the development of psychoanalysis. From August 1967 to March 1980, he wrote his 39 volume Work Books, a diary containing observations and reflections on his own life, the world of psychoanalysis, his evolving theoretical formulations, Western culture, and the turbulent social and political developments of the time.

In this first volume, readers will find fascinating entries on Khan’s colleague and mentor Donald Winnicott and other well-known analysts of the period, including Anna Freud. Also featuring in these pages are leaders in the world of culture and the arts such as Julie Andrews, the Redgraves and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS

“Here’s an unusual read, an incredible opportunity for access to the inner world of a brilliant and controversial psychoanalyst. Hopkins and Kuchuck’s scholarship and persistence against the odds bring us into Masud Khan’s private self as revealed in his diaries … This book will be a treasure trove for scholars of mid-twentieth century psychoanalysis. As for the rest of us, who wouldn’t want to read the diaries of a man who ‘dares to say and think anything’?” – Jill Savege Scharff, M.D., FABP, International Psychotherapy Institute and co-author of The Interpersonal Unconscious, Winner of The Sigourney Award 2021.

“Psychoanalysts have long been aware of the fact that extraordinary intelligence and alarming corruption can co-exist in the same individual. However, the case of Masud Khan is truly extraordinary. He combined erudition and charm with thoroughgoing contempt. The psychoanalytic profession owes a deep debt of gratitude to Steven Kuchuck and Linda Hopkins, who systematically collected Khan’s papers so that we can study them for ourselves.” – Glen O. Gabbard, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine.

“Although a brilliant and charming man, and an excellent horse rider, [Masud Khan] also caused great distress to many colleagues. These beautifully edited Work Books offer a rare glimpse into the mind of a complicated psychoanalyst. We have much to learn from Khan about how to be a human being and, moreover, how not to be.” – Professor Estela V. Welldon, Emeritus Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy, Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.

“What a privilege to have access to Masud Khan’s Work Books. They are raw, insightful, sharply charged perceptions of life in progress filled with social commentary, psychoanalytic vision, irony and horror. His criticism of colleagues, society and world pull no punches, yet a profound sense of Beauty and appreciation of the best in us come through. He has a special gift for ‘nooks and crannies’ of experience as well as pulsating depths. Thanks to Linda Hopkins and Steven Kuchuck for the treasure they helped mediate.” – Michael Eigen, Ph.D., author of The Challenge of Being Human, The Sensitive Self and The Psychoanalytic Mystic

“Jacques Lacan said famously that the psychoanalyst must be ‘a man of letters.’ Masud Khan was as literate as any analyst of his time, and readers interested in the history of psychoanalysis will find a treasure trove here. Following a fascinating introduction by the editors, the Work Books reveal Khan at his vituperative best, with flashes of prescience and wit. They remind us, too, of things we might like to forget about our impossible profession.” – Deborah Anna Luepnitz, Ph.D., Institute for Relational Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia.

“Khan’s workbooks are fascinating. They are strangely akin to a stream of consciousness in which the writer argues with his longings, hubris, disappointments, hurts, exuberances while engaging with the key figures in psychoanalysis. This crucial period in the field expands its understandings of the private self – of which Khan was a prime theorist – and of the quality of relatedness. We are introduced to his wide philosophical readings, his knowledge of art and his struggles with friends, with his wife and with psychoanalytic colleagues. Compelling.” – Susie Orbach, psychoanalyst and author of The Impossibility of Sex and Bodies

“Linda Hopkins and Steven Kuchuck’s indefatigable commitment and careful scholarship introduce us to Khan’s long-awaited workbooks. Their meticulous scholarship clarifies Khan’s sometimes confusing allusions while also protecting the integrity of the document. This volume gives us a fascinating window into – among many things – Winnicott’s own thinking and personhood; Khan’s complex and often contradictory psychology; British psychoanalytic politics; Khan’s personal relationships with many prominent psychoanalysts … along with a window into the development of Khan’s thinking. A delicious, provocative, sometimes disturbing, and utterly satisfying volume.” – Joyce Slochower, Ph.D., ABPP.

“In this unique record of grandiose omnipotence mixed with true scholarship, Khan exposes far more of himself than he realizes. There are so many intriguing theories here. Alas, his intellectual musings do not translate into the gold of insight: he remains trapped in a fantasy of his superiority and the reality of solipsism; despite all his cleverness and knowledge, without self-awareness.” – Oliver James, Relational Psychotherapist, The Bowlby Centre.

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Linda Hopkins, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice. She is a member of teaching faculty at the International Psychotherapy Institute and co-editor of Diary of a Fallen Psychoanalyst: The Work Books of Masud Khan 1967-1972 with Steven Kuchuck (Karnac Books, 2022).

More titles by Linda Hopkins

Steven Kuchuck, LCSW is a faculty member, supervisor, Board member, and co-director of curriculum for the adult training program in psychoanalysis at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies and faculty, Stephen Mitchell Center for Relational Studies. He is Editor-in-Chief of Psychoanalytic Perspectives.

More titles by Steven Kuchuck

Acknowledgements

Foreword by Brett Kahr

Preface by Linda Hopkins and Steven Kuchuck

The Work Books

Work Book 1 14 August 1967-20 August 1968

Work Book 2 20 August 1968-10 April 1969

Work Book 3 12 April 1969-29 June 1969

Work Book 4 1 July 1969-17 August 1969

Work Book 5 17 August 1969-13 October 1969

Work Book 6 13 October 1969-22 February 1970

Work Book 7 23 February 1970-15 April 1970