Madness and Creativity

Carolyn and Ernest Fay Series in Analytical Psychology

By: Dr. Ann Belford Ulanov

Narrated by: Kathy Bell Denton

Analyst and author Ann Belford Ulanov draws on her years of clinical work and reflection to make the point that madness and creativity share a kinship, an insight that shakes both analysis and analyst to the core, reminding us as it does that the suffering places of the human psyche are inextricably -- and, often inexplicably -- related to the fountains of creativity, service, and even genius. She poses disturbing questions: How do we depend on order, when chaos is a necessary part of existence? What are we to make of evil -- both that surrounding us and that within us? Is there a myth of meaning that can contain all the differences that threaten to shatter us?

Ulanov's insights unfold in conversation with themes in Jung's Red Book which, according to Jung, present the most important experiences of his life, themes he explicated in his subsequent theories.

Responding to some of Jung's more fantastic encounters as he illustrated them, Ulanov suggests that our problems and compulsions may show us the path our creativity should take. With Jung she asserts that the multiplicities within and around us are, paradoxically, pieces of a greater whole that can provide healing and unity as, in her words, "every part of us and of our world gets a seat at the table." Madness and Creativity stands as a carefully crafted presentation, with many clinical examples of human courage and fulfillment.

The book is published by Texas A&M University Press.

©2013 Ann Belford Ulanov (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks

Interesting, but...

I know the parent company for Audible is Amazon, but are they using Alexa to narrate audiobooks now?

Sometimes I would ask my book to set a timer or turn on my lights.

BRAVO! I am able to GRASP the content.

I don't know if it is the Reader (or Narrator) or the writing style of Ulanov, but I am able to decode the message loud and clear. Often the Voice of the Reader of these types of books fails to draw me into the content- and often annoys me, but this is different. And the content, it is spot on. The clear deliberate rhythm, (not speedy delivery) of the words allows my minds to grasp this content. Bravo to all involved! And I am a layman, not an academic.