- Published: 3 March 2014
- ISBN: 9780099549031
- Imprint: Vintage
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 240
- RRP: $19.99
The Examined Life
How We Lose and Find Ourselves
- Published: 3 March 2014
- ISBN: 9780099549031
- Imprint: Vintage
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 240
- RRP: $19.99
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