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A review by peripetia
Sociopath by Patric Gagne
3.75
This was a pretty interesting book. The biggest complaint people seem to have, and definitely something you inevitably consider while reading the book, is that the author is very unreliable.
To me this just made the book more interesting. What is she perhaps lying about and why? Also, memoirs are never accurate depictions of real events, so hyperfixating on this book specifically is strange. (Her academic credentials are another story.)
What I also find strange about the reviews is that people have an issue with her describing herself as a sociopath. This is apparently a problem because the word isn't in the DSM (come on) and people she's choosing the term she prefers.
First of all, this is not unusual. Kay Redfield Jamison, probably the most famous researcher of bipolar disorder and also bipolar, or, as she prefers to call it, manic-depressive. People have the right to self-determination.
Second, people seem to have zero issues with diagnosing her as autistic right after criticizing her own view of her own possible mental illness. This is just ridiculous.
Third, it is a bit annoying that she keeps repeating "I'm a socipath" but if it was "I have ADHD", I think it would be less of a problem because this is so common these days.
My biggest problem with the book is the cinematic narration style, especially towards the end where it gets, to put it in one word, <i>cringe</i>. Then again, someone who lacks social emotions could very well learn these narratives from popular culture and use them. She wouldn't even be the only one.
I also found the story relatable in some ways, mainly due to being an unemotional woman myself. I'm not a sociopath (or whatever you want to call it), but it has definitely been a problem in my life - for other people. I have learned to mask that, which is tiring and boring, so I related to her. If I were a man, and if she were a man, our emotional reactions would be considered perfectly normal, but anyway.
In conclusion, interesting book. I really liked the author narrating the audiobook.
To me this just made the book more interesting. What is she perhaps lying about and why? Also, memoirs are never accurate depictions of real events, so hyperfixating on this book specifically is strange. (Her academic credentials are another story.)
What I also find strange about the reviews is that people have an issue with her describing herself as a sociopath. This is apparently a problem because the word isn't in the DSM (come on) and people she's choosing the term she prefers.
First of all, this is not unusual. Kay Redfield Jamison, probably the most famous researcher of bipolar disorder and also bipolar, or, as she prefers to call it, manic-depressive. People have the right to self-determination.
Second, people seem to have zero issues with diagnosing her as autistic right after criticizing her own view of her own possible mental illness. This is just ridiculous.
Third, it is a bit annoying that she keeps repeating "I'm a socipath" but if it was "I have ADHD", I think it would be less of a problem because this is so common these days.
My biggest problem with the book is the cinematic narration style, especially towards the end where it gets, to put it in one word, <i>cringe</i>. Then again, someone who lacks social emotions could very well learn these narratives from popular culture and use them. She wouldn't even be the only one.
I also found the story relatable in some ways, mainly due to being an unemotional woman myself. I'm not a sociopath (or whatever you want to call it), but it has definitely been a problem in my life - for other people. I have learned to mask that, which is tiring and boring, so I related to her. If I were a man, and if she were a man, our emotional reactions would be considered perfectly normal, but anyway.
In conclusion, interesting book. I really liked the author narrating the audiobook.