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jhulme's review against another edition
5.0
I was originally going to give this four stars - the trauma that instigates MPD (and there is some debate on if that's an accurate diagnosis) is horrific. This is not a pleasant story. But getting into Karen's alters and treatment ended up utterly fascinating. So fascinating I changed the score. The audiobook is also REALLY well-narrated.
librarianleah's review against another edition
I have been curious about MPD/DID for quite some time, and this was the first book that caught my attention. It was hard to read due to the horrifying abuse that was all too explicitly explained, but at the same time I couldn't put it down. It's amazing what the human mind is capable of when someone is put through such immense trauma at such a young age, and it's refreshing to see how invested Dr. Baer was in helping Karen become happy and whole. I absolutely recommend this book- it's necessarily disturbing but absolutely astonishing.
ashezbookz's review against another edition
4.0
Oh man this was SO upsetting .. fascinating .. very very very sad ... unreal!
nderiley's review against another edition
3.0
What an emotionally draining read. Warning to sensitive readers, this book chronicles in gory detail lots of physical, mental and sexual abuse. For those wishing to spare themselves these portions, should skip chapter 2 entirely and be prepared to skip most of the hand written letters.
I find myself having hard time coming to grips with the truth of this story, how anyone could endure what was told here is truly unbelievable.
I find myself having hard time coming to grips with the truth of this story, how anyone could endure what was told here is truly unbelievable.
shaunareads's review against another edition
I can't give a rating on someone's life, but this is an excellent look into the life of someone with DID. In the author's note the doctor mentions we worked closely with Karen to make this book. I think it does a great job showing but the doctor's perspective and Karen's. I highly recommend if you're interested about learning more about DID.
badpriestess's review against another edition
1.0
I admit I did not read the book in its entirety, but I read enough to form an opinion. Honestly, the story dragged, big time. Learning about Karen's personalities was interesting, but it seems to me that the lengthy conversations Dr. Baer had with each of them slowed the plot down a great deal. Also, I felt that the magnitude of Karen's trauma was so great that it felt unbelievable. In a bad way. I found myself shaking my head as each piece of her past was revealed, not in sadness but in skepticism. That's not to say the things that happened to Karen couldn't happen in real life. I simply mean that the author seemed to be needlessly piling bad things onto a character, and it didn't help me connect with her at all. If anything, it distanced me from her. The book is very graphic in nature, which I didn't really mind. However, I couldn't finish it due to its slow plot and questionable characterization. Perhaps I wasn't aware of what exactly I was getting into when I started this book, but I am not at all interested in picking it up again.
lizella's review against another edition
5.0
What makes this book truly engrossing is that it is a true story that both doctor and patient were brave enough to share with the world. I found the account disturbing, gripping and fascinating. As the story begins to unfold I was shocked and horrified by the descriptions of the ritualistic and debasing abuse Karen survived in childhood. Through the discovery process of her multiple personalities, the focus really becomes about how these different people inside her were created and process of healing to make her a whole person again.
Learning about the process through Dr. Baer's perspective brought new insight for me about the profession and commitment it takes. He is professional in his account, but keeps it from being too clinical by letting us see into his thought processes and his emotional responses through different aspects of interaction and treatment.
The story illustrates just how extraordinary the human mind and will to survive can be.
Learning about the process through Dr. Baer's perspective brought new insight for me about the profession and commitment it takes. He is professional in his account, but keeps it from being too clinical by letting us see into his thought processes and his emotional responses through different aspects of interaction and treatment.
The story illustrates just how extraordinary the human mind and will to survive can be.
cammieo's review against another edition
5.0
Totally amazing, heartbreaking book. This story blew me away.
renjamin88's review against another edition
3.0
The subject matter is quite interesting, however the book drags on.