Supernormal

The Untold Story of Adversity and Resilience

By: Meg Jay

Narrated by: Meg Jay

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Clinical psychologist and author of The Defining Decade, Meg Jay takes us into the world of the supernormal: those who soar to unexpected heights after childhood adversity.

Whether it is the loss of a parent to death or divorce; bullying; alcoholism or drug abuse in the home; mental illness in a parent or a sibling; neglect; emotional, physical or sexual abuse; having a parent in jail; or growing up alongside domestic violence, nearly 75 percent of us experience adversity by the age of 20. But these experiences are often kept secret, as are our courageous battles to overcome them.

Drawing on nearly two decades of work with clients and students, Jay tells the tale of ordinary people made extraordinary by these all-too-common experiences, everyday superheroes who have made lives out of dodging bullets and leaping over obstacles, even as they hide in plain sight as doctors, artists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, parents, activists, teachers, students, and listeners. She gives a voice to the supernormals among us as they reveal not only "how do they do it?" but also "how does it feel?"

These powerful stories, and those of public figures from Andre Agassi to Jay Z, will show supernormals they are not alone but are, in fact, in good company.

Marvelously researched and compassionately written, this exceptional book narrates the continuing saga that is resilience as it challenges us to consider whether - and how - the good wins out in the end.

©2017 Meg Jay (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"This extraordinary book taught me more about resilience than anything else I've read. With the ear of a therapist and the voice of a novelist, Meg Jay delves deep into the human condition to illuminate how we find strength after suffering. It's impossible to read Supernormal without seeing yourself in it - and without seeing yourself more clearly too." (Adam Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Give and Take, Originals, and Option B with Sheryl Sandberg)

" Supernormal puts an end to the 'happily-ever-after' tales we tell ourselves about resilient children. But it does not stop there. Deeply researched and full of insight and wisdom, it is a book for anyone thinking about how we navigate the vicissitudes of life." (Steven Lagerfeld, public policy fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center)

helps alot

this helped me figure out and discover more about mysekf than i thought i would. very deep

Looking through your life with a new prescription.

If you’re interested in this book after reading the summary, might as well give it a try. It helped me look at myself more honestly and also helped me talk to my friends and family about where they came from. If you had a great relationship with your parents and had a great childhood, this should help you understand how some people grow up and how their mindset is formed. I’m definitely going to be listening to this repeatedly and will be recommending it to people close to me.

Love these stories...

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

Keep pushing forward

What was one of the most memorable moments of Supernormal?

Coping skills used in some of the stories... Can relate

What does Meg Jay bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Recommend listening to a little bit at a time to appreciate some of the stories. They are good but if you listen to all of them at the same time, the appreciation or point could get lost.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Supernormal?

Anyway… have used and still using all the coping skills addressed in this book to survive disappointments and rejection that comes in life and never seems to end. Not going to give these away.. You need to read/listen to see what is used. LOL..

Informative

This book was really Informative. Opened my eyes to many super normal behaviors I see in myself and the people around me. I have already started passing the book along.

Most

This is, by far, the most helpful book I’ve ever read. I’ve ordered the print version. I know I will listen again to the audio. So much to process, but for the first time in forever, I feel like I have the breathing space to think it all through.

Very Interesting

An interesting book from a therapist who goes into depth about adults who have overcome childhood adversity labeling them "supernormals". She recounts decades of work with a set of her clients, delving into their specific childhood traumas, and how they handled the effects of these traumas into adulthood. I found the book to be very interesting, and it would be a beneficial tool to anyone who has experienced extreme childhood experiences and come out on the other side.

Resilient

This book made me understand my satisfaction with my choices in life. It also helped me understand sibling rivalry’s

Finally!!!

Anyone who was impacted by childhood trauma needs to read this amazing book. Better yet, listen to the author read it to you! Finally there is a book about what us going on below the tip of the iceberg for those of us feeling like we have been faking it through life. This book brought me peace in a way no other "rise above adversity" or "self help" ever has. Thank you, Meg Jay. I am so very grateful.

Great book, soothing listen

Send this to your friends and family that are currently looking for answers. Very informative

Supernormal

I liked Meg’s research and how she described the effects of childhood trauma. I didn’t get much more other than that. I was hoping she would move beyond the description and into what can be done to help in more detail.