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The Examined Life

How We Lose and Find Ourselves
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( 16,672 ratings, 1,544 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz offers a collection of insightful case studies from the author's experience as a psychoanalyst. Each story delves into the human psyche, exploring themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, presented in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by human psychology and enjoy insightful, real-life stories that delve into the complexities of the mind through case studies and therapeutic experiences.

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The Examined Life

Reveals how the art of insight can illuminate the most complicated, confounding and human of experiences. This title includes stories about our everyday lives: they are about the people we love and the lies that we tell; the changes we bear, and the grief.

Longlisted for the Guardian first book award, a Sunday Times bestseller and Radio 4 Book of the Week. 'Marvellous' (The Times), 'Excellent' (Guardian), 'Completely magical' (Mail on Sunday)

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award, a Sunday Times bestseller, and selected as a Radio 4 Book of the Week, The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz is an extraordinary collection of psychoanalytic tales that delve deep into the human psyche. Described as 'marvellous' by The Times, 'excellent' by the Guardian, and 'completely magical' by the Mail on Sunday, this book takes readers on a compelling journey through the minds of both the analysand and the analyst.

SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

The Examined Life is fundamentally about understanding the intricacies of living. Echoing Socrates' declaration that 'the unexamined life is not worth living,' Grosz harnesses over twenty-five years of experience in psychoanalysis and more than 50,000 hours of conversation to craft stories that are as enlightening as they are moving.

Within these pages, you will find narratives that encompass the ordinary and the extraordinary facets of human existence. From a woman who habitually daydreams while returning home from a business trip to a young man who misplaces his wallet—these tales provide a glimpse into the seemingly mundane moments of life. Then, there are the more dramatic instances: a patient who points an unloaded gun at a police officer and a compulsive liar who deceives his own wife into believing he is dying of cancer. Each story is a window into the motivations and behaviours that define us, sparking introspection and new perspectives on identity and action.

As reviewed by the New York Times, 'This moving book will make the reader think of Freud's keenly observed and literary-minded case studies... piercing chapters that read like a combination of Chekhov and Oliver Sacks.' Each chapter exudes Grosz's remarkable talent for storytelling, walking the fine line between clinical observation and narrative craft.

The Evening Standard commends Grosz for his 'sensitivity and great acuity,' noting that 'you might keep thinking you recognise things about people you know.' Indeed, Grosz's ability to transform the specific lives of his patients into universal truths resonates powerfully, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives and those around them.

The Examined Life is not merely a book; it is an exploration. It invites you to question, to understand, and ultimately, to live more meaningfully. Whether you are well-versed in psychoanalysis or completely new to the field, Grosz's eloquent prose and profound insights will leave a lasting impression.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz has been praised for its profound and moving insights, packing large ideas into a slim volume. Reviewers admire Grosz's gentle wisdom, storytelling abilities, and the depth of his sympathy and insight. He has been compared to literary figures like Chekhov and Oliver Sacks, and despite some initial scepticism towards psychoanalysis, readers find Grosz’s work compelling and transformative.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099549031

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 January 2014

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 180g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Stephen Grosz is a practicing psychoanalyst - he has worked with patients for more than twenty-five years. Born in America, he was educated at the University of California, Berkeley, and at Oxford University, and now lives in London. The Examined Life has been translated into more than twenty languages and was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award. www.stephengrosz.com

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