• Missing Out

  • In Praise of the Unlived Life
  • By: Adam Phillips
  • Narrated by: Simon Shepherd
  • Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (75 ratings)

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Missing Out  By  cover art

Missing Out

By: Adam Phillips
Narrated by: Simon Shepherd
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Publisher's summary

We all have two lives - the life we live and the life of our fantasies. But it is the life unlived - the person we have failed to be - that can trouble and even haunt us. In Missing Out acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips delves into the gap between who we are and who we are not, to discover whether not getting what we want may be the unlikely key to the fully lived life.

Adam Phillips is a psychoanalyst and the author of several previous books, all widely acclaimed, including On Kissing, Tickling and Being Bored, Going Sane and Side Effects. His most recent book is On Kindness, which was co-written with historian Barbara Taylor.

©2013 Adam Philips (P)2014 Audible Studios

What listeners say about Missing Out

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A good introduction to psychoanalysis

If you could sum up Missing Out in three words, what would they be?

Human beings can't avoid failing

What was one of the most memorable moments of Missing Out?

Literature analysis.

Which character – as performed by Simon Shepherd – was your favorite?

Othelo

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book to everyone interested in psychoanalysis as after education. From literature analysis to clinical practice. Parents can't know every feeling or need of their children. Children want to satisfy their parents, but this is impossible. Mothers are supposed to know everything about their children needs, but this is impossible. The impossible knowledge amid lovers in general is the great issue of this book.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A bit boring

While the subject was interesting, the writing is stiff. The author needed to use more examples from life or literature to bring his "getting it" and "not getting it" to life. Perhaps it would have been easier to follow in print. I don't know. I got confused. And then bored.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Audible deleted the best part! (The prologue)

I bought the book and read the prologue. I thought it was rather brilliant. As I started reading the book I decided to get it on Audible to listen to it instead. Audible cut out the prologue! It was the best part of the book! The rest, well, I couldn’t even make it to the end even though it was a short book. Pedantic pontifications of circuitous and repetitive ruminations. If you like academic claptrap this book is for you. I had assumed as a psychoanalyst the author would use case studies in discussions. Nope, Shakespeare is his go to. After writing my thesis I was done with academic reading/writing, it is so deadly mind numbing. So is this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Calm and thoughtful musings

I’ve read that Phillips says that he thinks psychotherapy is like poetry and it really shows here. A collection of well-phrased thoughts, gracefully connected and quietly and intelligently read. It’s very soothing listening.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not a casual book but not difficult

Thought provoking in moments, repetitive often and generally interesting material. The narrator does well without being dry.

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