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Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case by Debbie Nathan
alliebex's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.5
This book is beautifully written—it’s funny, as one focus, Flora Schreiber, sought to write a, “nonfiction novel,” about this supposed case of MPD, Nathan actually success in writing a, “nonfiction novel,” of wonderful prose and interest. While I wasn’t super familiar with the whole Sybil thing, I was aware of the more modern debates around MPD/DID and their validity as diagnoses, so it was interesting to see that explored from an earlier historical standpoint
alexandrabree's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. I have dug out my old copies of the Three Faces of Eve and Sybil for a reread.
I would have gone into the diagnoses of hysteria alongside its history with things like witch hunting, possession, sainthood (megalomania) and laughing fits, and all other fits a little more. And highlighted how the condition of MPD morphed into the satanic panic and recovered memory (while it was mentioned I felt it was more of a tibit/footnote and not a BOLD highlight) I would have also mentioned that how once these culture bound syndromes are "created" or "fashioned" they are there to stay. We are currently seeing the re-emergence of MPD/DID/"multi-system" personalities through tiktok (which is also breeding a symptomatic tourettes, gender dysmorphia, gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia anxiety and depression).
Alongside these add ins; shortening Dr. Connie and Flora's backgrounds , that segment could have gotten the point across while more concise.
This will be well worth rereading in the new year happy 2024!
I would have gone into the diagnoses of hysteria alongside its history with things like witch hunting, possession, sainthood (megalomania) and laughing fits, and all other fits a little more. And highlighted how the condition of MPD morphed into the satanic panic and recovered memory (while it was mentioned I felt it was more of a tibit/footnote and not a BOLD highlight) I would have also mentioned that how once these culture bound syndromes are "created" or "fashioned" they are there to stay. We are currently seeing the re-emergence of MPD/DID/"multi-system" personalities through tiktok (which is also breeding a symptomatic tourettes, gender dysmorphia, gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia anxiety and depression).
Alongside these add ins; shortening Dr. Connie and Flora's backgrounds , that segment could have gotten the point across while more concise.
This will be well worth rereading in the new year happy 2024!
thatnerd's review against another edition
5.0
I won this as part of a Goodreads First Reads giveaway, but that has in no way influenced my review.
This was a wonderful book. The amount of research Debbie Nathan put into her book is staggering. I can't help but shake my head at how Shirley a.k.a. Sybil, Dr. Wilbur and Flora managed to pull the wool over everyone's eyes with the story. Shirley may have been mentally ill, but I certainly don't believe she was a multiple. I believe Dr. Wilbur wanted her fame and recognition in this field as a psychiatrist so she latched onto Shirley and ran with her problems. She drugged and manipulated the woman and took advantage of Shirley's loneliness and attachment to her. Then together, they roped Flora into writing Sybil. Flora had her doubts, but she too wanted her fame and recognition, and she was conned with the fake diary that Shirley and Dr. Wilbur gave her. These three women all needed something: Shirley needed attention from Dr. Wilbur, Dr. Wilbur, as a woman, needed recognition as a woman in her field of psychiatry, and Flora needed fame and riches from a bestseller. They kept this lie under wraps and deceived the world and the disservice that Dr. Wilbur did not only to her patient(s) but to the field of psychiatry is shameful. Debbie Nathan has done a great job of breaking down the stories of all three women and exposing the lies and each woman for what they were.
This was a wonderful book. The amount of research Debbie Nathan put into her book is staggering. I can't help but shake my head at how Shirley a.k.a. Sybil, Dr. Wilbur and Flora managed to pull the wool over everyone's eyes with the story. Shirley may have been mentally ill, but I certainly don't believe she was a multiple. I believe Dr. Wilbur wanted her fame and recognition in this field as a psychiatrist so she latched onto Shirley and ran with her problems. She drugged and manipulated the woman and took advantage of Shirley's loneliness and attachment to her. Then together, they roped Flora into writing Sybil. Flora had her doubts, but she too wanted her fame and recognition, and she was conned with the fake diary that Shirley and Dr. Wilbur gave her. These three women all needed something: Shirley needed attention from Dr. Wilbur, Dr. Wilbur, as a woman, needed recognition as a woman in her field of psychiatry, and Flora needed fame and riches from a bestseller. They kept this lie under wraps and deceived the world and the disservice that Dr. Wilbur did not only to her patient(s) but to the field of psychiatry is shameful. Debbie Nathan has done a great job of breaking down the stories of all three women and exposing the lies and each woman for what they were.
afarre01's review against another edition
4.0
A little slow to start but then picks up near the end. Seems well researched, but obviously it's a controversial topic.
barbsaj's review against another edition
2.0
While this book's main point is well-researched and clearly stated, there was a rather shortsighted and biased portrayal of psychoanalysis at points which detracted from an otherwise strong discussion. I had read some articles about this topic previously, and this book added many interesting and helpful details. A good cautionary tale for clinicians, speaking to trends in diagnostics (childhood bipolar anyone?) and the downfalls of ignoring countertransference. About 2.5 stars really.
machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
As many of the reviewers here, I was a child in the 70's as well and remember the whole Sybil phenomenon although I was only 10 when the tv movie aired and I really mostly remember friends talking about it in school. Once I got to high school I did read the book and thought it was fascinating.
I've always been a bit of a cynic, and I rarely take things at face value but I always held out hope that it really was/is possible to have multiple personalities.
I found the book somewhat dry and repetitive. I was curious about how and why Nathan meticulously described everyone's face (especially the shape of their mouth.)
The story of Sybil is still fascinating to me, and I'm not the person to say whether or not any of it really happened, but I felt that Nathan did a decent job spelling out the facts that she found to be true. Definitely worth reading; now I want to go back and read the original book again!
I've always been a bit of a cynic, and I rarely take things at face value but I always held out hope that it really was/is possible to have multiple personalities.
I found the book somewhat dry and repetitive. I was curious about how and why Nathan meticulously described everyone's face (especially the shape of their mouth.)
The story of Sybil is still fascinating to me, and I'm not the person to say whether or not any of it really happened, but I felt that Nathan did a decent job spelling out the facts that she found to be true. Definitely worth reading; now I want to go back and read the original book again!