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I read John Quin's review with interest, and then amazement, having
recently read "The Shaking Woman" a book which fascinated and intrigued
me.
The format of the review was an imaginary letter written by a patient
to a doctor. The patronising style of this "letter" gave no real detail
about the content of the book, yet persisted in making sarcastic allusions
to it. Without giving any substantive information or critique on the book
it was rated as one star.
In my view this is an exceptionally well written book by a highly
articulate author. The combined description of her personal experience of
"shaking fits" together with a well researched history of conversion
symptoms and hysteria makes this fascinating reading. Hustvedt deftly
integrates biological and psychological theories in her narrative as she
explores the fields of psychiatry, neurology and psychoanalysis in an
attempt to gain understanding of her symptoms. Placing these theories in a
historical context adds great value for the reader. This is a book I would
highly recommend for anyone interested in the links between mind (or
brain) and body, and for those interested in wider issues of philosophy.
Four stars!
I read John Quin's review with interest, and then amazement, having
recently read "The Shaking Woman" a book which fascinated and intrigued
me.
The format of the review was an imaginary letter written by a patient
to a doctor. The patronising style of this "letter" gave no real detail
about the content of the book, yet persisted in making sarcastic allusions
to it. Without giving any substantive information or critique on the book
it was rated as one star.
In my view this is an exceptionally well written book by a highly
articulate author. The combined description of her personal experience of
"shaking fits" together with a well researched history of conversion
symptoms and hysteria makes this fascinating reading. Hustvedt deftly
integrates biological and psychological theories in her narrative as she
explores the fields of psychiatry, neurology and psychoanalysis in an
attempt to gain understanding of her symptoms. Placing these theories in a
historical context adds great value for the reader. This is a book I would
highly recommend for anyone interested in the links between mind (or
brain) and body, and for those interested in wider issues of philosophy.
Competing interests: No competing interests