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amyhollan's review against another edition
Strayed from topic into deep psychological explanations
forkdogforkfruit's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very insightful book which is full to the brim of quotable lines and material. The topic is explored with copious amounts of detail and a thorough eye making this a book which, despite having the potential to be notoriously difficult to nail down, a concise piece.
The author has broken down Solitude into many mostly manageable chapters and deals with each by introducing the reader to an overview of the chapter's topic and then throwing in some notable "case study" famous people to reference. This helps massively when fleshing out what the author is trying to say as well as giving the reader a short biography about the said case study people to aid in the flow of reading. This makes each chapter very engaging and dissolved any fears I had about this becoming a boring monologue. At the end of each chapter a conclusion is drawn together using the threads of ideas that have been presented throughout the chapter (and later in the book by using threads from earlier chapters). Again this makes the book interesting and kept my attention.
For the most part the themes and points were kept clear to the point where anyone stumbling upon this book would have little difficulty in reading and understanding the material. book about a very difficult topic.
A couple of small points of criticism.
-This book has dated a little in its reliance and over referencing of Freud and Jung. The 1980's are very present in this book in places and the author depends heavily on them for much of several chapters. This is not the fault of the book per se but an over reliance on the two psychoanalysts leaves the book feeling like there is no other information available on the topic.
-The author could easily dispense of a couple of chapters and assimilate them into other chapters such as The Third Period. It felt out of place and not needed as well as feeling like a chapter added purely to illustrate that the author has some working knowledge of classical music and composers.
Overall a good book detailing a difficult topic. The author has done a great job and i recommend this for people interested in this topic.
As a side note, since I read a loaned copy from a friend I was privy to his underlined notes and scribbles which both aided, enriched and made more enjoyable my reading of this book.
The author has broken down Solitude into many mostly manageable chapters and deals with each by introducing the reader to an overview of the chapter's topic and then throwing in some notable "case study" famous people to reference. This helps massively when fleshing out what the author is trying to say as well as giving the reader a short biography about the said case study people to aid in the flow of reading. This makes each chapter very engaging and dissolved any fears I had about this becoming a boring monologue. At the end of each chapter a conclusion is drawn together using the threads of ideas that have been presented throughout the chapter (and later in the book by using threads from earlier chapters). Again this makes the book interesting and kept my attention.
For the most part the themes and points were kept clear to the point where anyone stumbling upon this book would have little difficulty in reading and understanding the material. book about a very difficult topic.
A couple of small points of criticism.
-This book has dated a little in its reliance and over referencing of Freud and Jung. The 1980's are very present in this book in places and the author depends heavily on them for much of several chapters. This is not the fault of the book per se but an over reliance on the two psychoanalysts leaves the book feeling like there is no other information available on the topic.
-The author could easily dispense of a couple of chapters and assimilate them into other chapters such as The Third Period. It felt out of place and not needed as well as feeling like a chapter added purely to illustrate that the author has some working knowledge of classical music and composers.
Overall a good book detailing a difficult topic. The author has done a great job and i recommend this for people interested in this topic.
As a side note, since I read a loaned copy from a friend I was privy to his underlined notes and scribbles which both aided, enriched and made more enjoyable my reading of this book.
sunburial's review against another edition
4.0
I believe that Anthony did a great job of writing on the subject, but I think that I would have liked to see more thought on the processes behind solitude, rather than just an account of his entire experience. The book was made to seem as though it was a contemplation on the state of mind, but I didn't feel as though there was enough contemplation going on. He was just alone for a long time, and that seemed to be it.
ajnovy's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. This is an academic writer providing the reader with a well-styled argument on the necessity we need as humans to spend time in solitude. Through the lens of creativity, he draws a beautiful painting with each chapter providing a different hue, brush or technique. Although written almost a quarter of a century ago, this thesis could not ring more true today. And this ultimately furthers his point, spend time in solitude pursuing creative endeavors and finding self. Interpersonal relationships are important. But purpose and value can also be found in creative pursuits and work.
Personally, I think the balance of the two over a lifetime is sufficient and necessary to drive growth and fulfillment. In our ever-connected world, our scales are tipped heavily towards the over-sharing of our lives without connectedness. This reader will be spending some time developing solitary pursuits as well as seeking new and aging relationships.
Personally, I think the balance of the two over a lifetime is sufficient and necessary to drive growth and fulfillment. In our ever-connected world, our scales are tipped heavily towards the over-sharing of our lives without connectedness. This reader will be spending some time developing solitary pursuits as well as seeking new and aging relationships.
kabina_prysznicowa's review against another edition
5.0
exquisite, engaging and endlessly interesting piece of work. a great meditation on how solitude affects creative process.
scruffie's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. Storr's opinion that Solitude is indispensable to the human experience reverberates throughout the entire book. Though I learned quite a few things I have to admit that—and I'm clearly biased here—reading this book mostly confirmed my existing views; being rather solitary myself, I felt my views being confirmed and my person being validated.
Quite academic in style, this books is full of references to related/prior work and empirical data. This helps support Storr's views, though as a whole the book clearly captures Storr's personal/subjective theory on the importance of Solitude. Being a psychology book, it contains many references to pathological situations I could give content warnings for, but they all felt rather minor to me (perhaps because the text is rather academic it was easier to keep some distance). Exception to that is certainly Chapter 4 on imprisonment and solitude, which I found to be pretty graphic, but I think one could skip reading it without hindering comprehension of the remainder of the book, if necessary.
Quite academic in style, this books is full of references to related/prior work and empirical data. This helps support Storr's views, though as a whole the book clearly captures Storr's personal/subjective theory on the importance of Solitude. Being a psychology book, it contains many references to pathological situations I could give content warnings for, but they all felt rather minor to me (perhaps because the text is rather academic it was easier to keep some distance). Exception to that is certainly Chapter 4 on imprisonment and solitude, which I found to be pretty graphic, but I think one could skip reading it without hindering comprehension of the remainder of the book, if necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Torture
laurenbdavis's review against another edition
5.0
For those of us drawn to solitude and contemplation, this book provides confirmation and acceptance as well as a validation of the values of being alone. For those of us wanting to deepen our inner lives, it's a gentle guide, full of encouragement to turn away from noise and busyness, at least occasionally, and return to the silence (but not emptiness) at the core of the soul.
brujodinamico's review against another edition
5.0
That this work's penultimate page references Huxley's Perennial Philosophy should perhaps be no surprise. A wonderful book, and which would likely be worth reading again - a rare thing for books in my experience.
zade's review against another edition
4.0
When I started this book, I did not realize the author was a renowned psychoanalyst. Had I known that, I doubt I'd have given it a try. I am, however, glad I read it. Storr's examination of the value of solitude and the role it plays in both creativity and the development and preservation of mental health embodies a warmth and humanity rarely found in psychoanalytic literature.
Storr argues convincingly that modern psychology and psychoanalytics place too much emphasis on the role of interpersonal relationships in mental and emotional health. Even today, nearly 30 years after the books original publication, our culture sees solitude as a sign of instability, pathology, or weakness. Although there have been some popular books lately that seek to rehabilitate the image of introverts, the mere fact that such volumes merit particular notice reflects our cultural preference for gregariousness. Storr uses the lives of famous artists, writers, musicians, scientists, and philosophers to illustrate the importance of solitude for the creative process and also its usefulness in overcoming injuries or handicaps in some people's psyches. He does not argue against the importance of relationships, but rather suggests that a balance of relationships and interests, proportioned according to the individual's unique needs, makes for the most balanced life and the best chance of achieving "happiness."
The book is well written and quite readable, although a basic knowledge of the people Storr uses as examples makes the going easier. Fortunately, he provides enough information that even if one is unfamiliar with the details of, for example, Wittgenstein's philosophy, one can still get the point. Of course, a quick Google search can provide more background if needed.
So, why not five stars? In part, because Storr does go on a bit in some places. He uses three or four examples where one would do. I realize he was fighting an uphill battle against an entrenched psychoanalytic culture and needed to bolster his defenses, but for the lay reader, it does get tedious at times. Another factor is that Storr says he's arguing that solitude is important for average people, not just the great creatives, and that very solitary people need not be pathological, but rather can be quite healthy, but his examples include a preponderance of clearly neurotic people and he devotes no time demonstrating how the experiences of these geniuses can translate into the lives of average men and women. While most readers will be able to find plenty of useful validation for their own need for solitude, the book would be more useful to a lay audience were the uses of solitude in everyday life addressed directly and with examples to whom readers might relate more easily.
Despite these caveats, _Solitude_ is a deeply informative and provocative book. I recommend it strongly to anyone who has felt the need for "alone time" or to anyone who wonders why another person should need such time.
Storr argues convincingly that modern psychology and psychoanalytics place too much emphasis on the role of interpersonal relationships in mental and emotional health. Even today, nearly 30 years after the books original publication, our culture sees solitude as a sign of instability, pathology, or weakness. Although there have been some popular books lately that seek to rehabilitate the image of introverts, the mere fact that such volumes merit particular notice reflects our cultural preference for gregariousness. Storr uses the lives of famous artists, writers, musicians, scientists, and philosophers to illustrate the importance of solitude for the creative process and also its usefulness in overcoming injuries or handicaps in some people's psyches. He does not argue against the importance of relationships, but rather suggests that a balance of relationships and interests, proportioned according to the individual's unique needs, makes for the most balanced life and the best chance of achieving "happiness."
The book is well written and quite readable, although a basic knowledge of the people Storr uses as examples makes the going easier. Fortunately, he provides enough information that even if one is unfamiliar with the details of, for example, Wittgenstein's philosophy, one can still get the point. Of course, a quick Google search can provide more background if needed.
So, why not five stars? In part, because Storr does go on a bit in some places. He uses three or four examples where one would do. I realize he was fighting an uphill battle against an entrenched psychoanalytic culture and needed to bolster his defenses, but for the lay reader, it does get tedious at times. Another factor is that Storr says he's arguing that solitude is important for average people, not just the great creatives, and that very solitary people need not be pathological, but rather can be quite healthy, but his examples include a preponderance of clearly neurotic people and he devotes no time demonstrating how the experiences of these geniuses can translate into the lives of average men and women. While most readers will be able to find plenty of useful validation for their own need for solitude, the book would be more useful to a lay audience were the uses of solitude in everyday life addressed directly and with examples to whom readers might relate more easily.
Despite these caveats, _Solitude_ is a deeply informative and provocative book. I recommend it strongly to anyone who has felt the need for "alone time" or to anyone who wonders why another person should need such time.