The Examined Life

I was enthralled… profound and moving, packed large ideas into a slim volume

Lucy Lethbridge, Observer Books of the Year

With deceptive simplicity and gentle wisdom, Grosz teases out a lesson or chases down a fugitive insight. I have distrusted psychoanalysis for years, but I would leap onto Grosz’s couch

James McConnachie, The Sunday Times Books of the Year

This moving book of patient portraits by the psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz will make the reader think of Freud’s keenly observed and literary-minded case studies. Writing with sympathy and insight, Mr Grosz distils 25 years of work into a series of slim, piercing chapters that read like a combination of Chekhov and Oliver Sacks

Michiko Kakutani, New York Times

The success of The Examined Life by the psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz has, I think, relatively little to do with his clinical know-how; it rests, as Freud's did, on his story-telling abilities

Rachel Cooke, Observer

Grosz is a superb storyteller and tells lots of his patients' stories with sensitivity, but also with great acuity. You might keep thinking you recognise things about people you know

William Leith, Evening Standard

A wonderful example of a book that provides a safe space that can be used as a base to explore the less safe

Alex Clark, Guardian

Riveting... Grosz is adept at uncovering the little lies we tell ourselves and he's very perceptive about the potentially positive effects of bad experiences

Daily Telegraph

Because of [Grosz's] skill at getting to the heart of the matter, we forget the distance separating us and become quickly involved in the lives of those he discusses

Mail on Sunday

Absolutely fascinating. You’ll be amateur psychoanalysing yourself and everyone you know

Independent on Sunday

It made me stop and think, and it has stayed with me. Grosz is a superb storyteller and tells lots of his patients' stories with sensitivity, but also with great acuity. You might keep thinking you recognise things about people you know

William Leith, Scotsman

One of the many attributes of a good psychoanalyst is restraint, and Stephen Grosz's first book puts it to graceful, literary use

Talitha Stevenson, Observer

Grosz strikes the right balance of professional detachment and compassion, coupled with humility and self-awareness... The most helpful book I have read in recent months

Juanita Coulson, Lady

A captivating journey... These are universal themes, insights into an emotional world we inhabit, often with equal difficulty. A wonderful book

Sunday Times

A gripping series of tales

Psychologies

The Examined Life is a series of case studies from psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz's 25-year career. They fizz and shimmer with the tension of the finest short story. But they also have a profound vision of the world, which, however distorted it is, makes me examine my own

David Giles, UK Press Syndication

So significant that it should be read by absolutely everyone... A masterpiece of observation and empathy

Georgia Mizen, Upcoming

The Examined Life is a fascinating and original read. It is inspirational and shows how we can learn more about ourselves by exploring our subconscious thoughts and beliefs

Sunday Mail

[Illuminates] the dark recesses of human behaviour with clarity and humanity

Good Book Guide

Thoughtful and surprisingly addictive

Susie Steiner, Metro

Fascinating… Sincere

Emma Norris, Psychologist

Far and away the best non-fiction book this year

Hannah Beckerman, Huffington Post UK (Blog)

Wonderfully rich and insightful

Julian Ovenden, Daily Express

A brilliant read

Nadine O’Regan, Sunday Business Post

Essays true to psychoanalytic principles, but free from jargon; they have the quality of the best short stories.

Lorna Bradbury, Daily Telegraph

Grosz is able to expand out creating universal themes and experiences that makes every chapter personally relevant to the reader. It is a fascinating process that challenges you to reflect honestly about your own experiences… Indeed this is both the perfect book for someone with no psychology background or someone who works in the area… I found this book extremely interesting… I would highly recommend to anyone wanting an interesting and fascinating social science read and it is a book you’ll remember long after reading.

Topic UK