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ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
4.0
A strange book with a very interesting theory: there is something that drives personal development besides nature or nurture. This third thing is the daimon or the soul that enters our bodies at birth with a particular calling tightly bound up in an acorn of potential. Hillman explicitly states that the acorn/daimon is a metaphor, and yet his argument suggests a more concrete reading of the daimon's existence. I initially thought the whole proposal was insane until I started to apply his psychological theories to my own life and saw that it frequently worked to explain aspects of my life and character. I had some interesting personal insights while reading this book. While I think there are lots of things to dispute here the book is deeply interesting. It's a take on human character and the soul and the purpose of life unlike anything I have read to this point. It's also a very thorough investigation. Hillman knows that his theory is contentious and works very hard to dispel counterarguments before you even have time to pose them.
I read this book because it was suggested reading from MFA in a Box. It was recommended to help writers understand motivation in their characters. I think it works very well from that perspective, though Hillman did not write this book with fiction writers in mind. Fascinating, a bit difficult to digest, but affords a change in perspective.
I read this book because it was suggested reading from MFA in a Box. It was recommended to help writers understand motivation in their characters. I think it works very well from that perspective, though Hillman did not write this book with fiction writers in mind. Fascinating, a bit difficult to digest, but affords a change in perspective.
gijs's review against another edition
2.0
The acorn theory of human ontogenesis is indeed nuts. Jungian archetypes are lavishly invoked to explain just about everything. When do psychologists finally realize that archetypes are just one of many man-made tools, not real entities; they are retrofitted staple narratives, potentially useful in generating meaning and guiding future action; that’s it.
_carlibri_'s review against another edition
3.0
Questo libro ha tutti i presupposti per essere uno di quelli che ti cambiano la vita.
Almeno, io mi aspettavo questo.
E invece no.
La teoria della ghianda è sì, molto interessante, forse anche troppo trascurata nel panorama odierno.
È credibile l'idea portata avanti dall'autore, ossia il voler combattere l'idea di "superstizione parentale".
È anche interessante il capitolo che ero più curiosa di leggere, Il Cattivo seme, che porta a esempio Hitler e in cui Hillman si chiede se esista un daimon malvagio, se e come si possa prevenire la nascita dei criminali.
Però?
Però ho trovato molti dei capitoli davvero lunghi in proporzione ai concetti espressi, talora addirittura superati, nonché ridondanti.
Avrei preferito la metà delle pagine, però ben condensate.
Carino, interessante, ma non grido al miracolo, ecco.
Almeno, io mi aspettavo questo.
E invece no.
La teoria della ghianda è sì, molto interessante, forse anche troppo trascurata nel panorama odierno.
È credibile l'idea portata avanti dall'autore, ossia il voler combattere l'idea di "superstizione parentale".
È anche interessante il capitolo che ero più curiosa di leggere, Il Cattivo seme, che porta a esempio Hitler e in cui Hillman si chiede se esista un daimon malvagio, se e come si possa prevenire la nascita dei criminali.
Però?
Però ho trovato molti dei capitoli davvero lunghi in proporzione ai concetti espressi, talora addirittura superati, nonché ridondanti.
Avrei preferito la metà delle pagine, però ben condensate.
Carino, interessante, ma non grido al miracolo, ecco.
lalettricesolitaria's review against another edition
5.0
Videorecensione su Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gc-DAKdfos
supereva's review against another edition
3.0
Teoria interessante ma ripetitiva nel testo che segue il solito schema dei divulgatori non sempre perfettamente scientifici americani.
emmishnation's review against another edition
4.0
So fucking dense omg. Hillman’s honoring of multiplicity and always entertaining diff varied causes is important but tedious and exhausting for my brain. Very AIR. A lot I didn’t agree with, which is nice for a change and productive rather than stupor. I’m glad to have read a Hillman at long last!
-Character is fate
-Eudaimonia- living life following the daimon’s call —> happiness
-the acorn theory- we each are accompanied by an image, which we can hope to live out
-imagination, relating to an image
I love the daimon mythology and am eager now to figure out how to follow the call. Not any tips and tricks for doing that lol. Listen to ur heart vibes.
He also comes for therapists on grounds that I can’t quite comprehend which is also good for me to be exposed to and thinking about. He’s against the true self thing which is my guiding principle rn, can’t tell why though.
The back-reading life felt cherry picked and dangerous. And the dismissal of childhood conditioning felt wack.
-Character is fate
-Eudaimonia- living life following the daimon’s call —> happiness
-the acorn theory- we each are accompanied by an image, which we can hope to live out
-imagination, relating to an image
I love the daimon mythology and am eager now to figure out how to follow the call. Not any tips and tricks for doing that lol. Listen to ur heart vibes.
He also comes for therapists on grounds that I can’t quite comprehend which is also good for me to be exposed to and thinking about. He’s against the true self thing which is my guiding principle rn, can’t tell why though.
The back-reading life felt cherry picked and dangerous. And the dismissal of childhood conditioning felt wack.