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A review by zade
Solitude: A Return to the Self by Anthony Storr
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.