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lilamaee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Very interesting yet difficult subject matter. Will need to sit with some of the theories in order to determine how to implement into my own practice.
clementinemorrigan's review against another edition
3.0
Heads up: there are graphic descriptions of childhood physical and sexual abuse in this book.
sophie_theresia_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Another book I do not feel like should/can really be reviewed. An amazing and very clearly written book on transgenerational transmitted trauma. If interested in learning more - I do really recommend
horreurclub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Eating disorder, Animal cruelty, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Antisemitism
phoenixreading's review against another edition
5.0
Challenging, thought-provoking, inspiring. Though difficult to get through, doing so was both cathartic and life-reaffirming. The message that stuck with me: recovery is always possible, even when all you think that's left are ashes.
mxballin's review against another edition
3.0
There is no question that Rogers is a fantastic writer. Her use of language is incredible, and her ability to describe her own processes is fascinating. It also does a good job of communicating her patients to the reader in a way that really displays their candor.
I have, however, been building up to a "but," and it is this: she gives far too much credit to Lacan and this search for the "unsayable." Towards the end of the book, I feel like the only thing she allows to come through in her writing and her connection with Ellen is this desire to find hidden messages. It's very unique and certainly seems to be effective, but I struggled to really grasp how and why Rogers kept focus on that and pretty much that alone.
What makes this important? Rogers concludes that in the case of Ellen, "[analysis of the unconscious] builds toward and understanding of what was at stake in Ellen's life" (209). This understanding, it is explained, would not have been created had it not been for the use of Lacanian theories, and therefore Ellen would not have gotten to where she currently is in life. I'm skeptical. The "lasting answer" she says Ellen was able to receive from her therapy is difficult to connect directly to the unsayable parts of her analysis, and yet I see how it may have helped Rogers understand the Ellen that needed help.
In her previous book, and as a much younger and inexperienced therapist, Rogers was very much interested in going with the flow, with figuring out what worked and sometimes not even knowing what worked. Her self discovery as a therapist offered a lot of interesting morsels in her writing that have all but disappeared here as she details almost solely her search for the unnamed. Perhaps this made her a more effective therapist, but I don't feel it made for an effective approach to writing this book.
A lovely read, but be prepared to be a little confused and lost in the strange world of psychoanalysis...
I have, however, been building up to a "but," and it is this: she gives far too much credit to Lacan and this search for the "unsayable." Towards the end of the book, I feel like the only thing she allows to come through in her writing and her connection with Ellen is this desire to find hidden messages. It's very unique and certainly seems to be effective, but I struggled to really grasp how and why Rogers kept focus on that and pretty much that alone.
"What is considered unconscious by many therapists is simply what is not in awareness at any given time. Insight into what is not in awareness also isn't psycho-analysis. Psychoanalysis offers something that is, in my experience, different and distinctive. ...I've come to believe that to listen to anything less than the logic and language of the unconscious is, in effect, to put a lid on what is emerging and to silence the unconscious." (201-202)
What makes this important? Rogers concludes that in the case of Ellen, "[analysis of the unconscious] builds toward and understanding of what was at stake in Ellen's life" (209). This understanding, it is explained, would not have been created had it not been for the use of Lacanian theories, and therefore Ellen would not have gotten to where she currently is in life. I'm skeptical. The "lasting answer" she says Ellen was able to receive from her therapy is difficult to connect directly to the unsayable parts of her analysis, and yet I see how it may have helped Rogers understand the Ellen that needed help.
In her previous book, and as a much younger and inexperienced therapist, Rogers was very much interested in going with the flow, with figuring out what worked and sometimes not even knowing what worked. Her self discovery as a therapist offered a lot of interesting morsels in her writing that have all but disappeared here as she details almost solely her search for the unnamed. Perhaps this made her a more effective therapist, but I don't feel it made for an effective approach to writing this book.
A lovely read, but be prepared to be a little confused and lost in the strange world of psychoanalysis...
suzanlemont's review against another edition
4.0
A fascination book of interwoven personal narrative around trauma, case studies of young girls who have experienced trauma, and theories around language development or gaps in the adequacy of language to fully communicate what happened and the process of healing. I really loved most of the book, however the last section on attempting to explain Lacan's theories had me a bit lost/struggling to really grasp the complexities/meaning. The case studies and Ms. Rogers' own personal experiences and insights were already engaging enough; it's almost like she tried to put everything into one book when it could have been 2, easily. I'm a trauma therapist, and I feel I have been enriched with reading the book. Highly recommended.
penpencil22's review
4.0
it was... hard to read. not... intellectually hard to read. emotionally hard to read. I had to put it down a couple of times 'cause... i don't know; it was stirring something in me and it was too much to handle, but... but it was good. I mean, personally, I think she's reading a little too much into those repetitious words and sounds. I think she's making connections that no one else would ever think twice about. I understand it, to a certain extent. I even agree with it, to a certain extent. But... I definitely think she's sometimes seeing things that really aren't there. (and no kind of sick pun intended, as the author does see/hear voices that really aren't there at times...) Also, I'd recommend reading her first book, A Shining Affliction, before this one-- The Unsayable will make more sense after A Shining Affliction!