The Drama of the Gifted Child

The Search for the True Self

By: Alice Miller

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

The classic work on the enduring effects of childhood trauma

“Rare and compelling in its compassion and its unassuming eloquence.” —New York

Why are many of the most successful people plagued by feelings of emptiness and alienation? This wise and profound book has provided millions of readers with an answer—and has helped them to apply it to their own lives.

Far too many of us had to learn as children to hide our own feelings, needs, and memories skillfully in order to meet our parents' expectations and win their "love." Alice Miller writes, "When I used the word 'gifted' in the title, I had in mind neither children who receive high grades in school nor children talented in a special way. I simply meant all of us who have survived an abusive childhood thanks to an ability to adapt even to unspeakable cruelty by becoming numb...Without this 'gift' offered us by nature, we would not have survived." But merely surviving is not enough. The Drama of the Gifted Child helps us to reclaim our life by discovering our own crucial needs and our own truth.

Critic reviews

"Rare and compelling in its compassion and its unassuming eloquence...her examples are so vivid and so ordinary they touch the hurt child in us all."—The New York Magazine

"An unpretentious little book with an amazing impact...Many readers find themselves portrayed with an accuracy and empathy that seem uncanny, as if the author had been a silent, unseen witness to their childhood [and] their innermost and secret selves."—Vogue

"Full of wisdom and perception."—The New Republic

"Narcissism has rarely been written about with the clarity and quiet insights of this modest, thought-provoking work."—Washington Post Book World

Beautifully crafted with loud and clear truth

This is a must book for more than half of our society. the narration is good with simple approach to hardcore psychology. If you're a perfectionist artist or any kind of highly sensitive person with a feeling of endless hunger maybe this book is just for you.

Wow

I lost count of the number of times I said, “Wow,” out loud, while listening. This book gave me comfort in its ability to help me integrate understanding and accept and forgive.

Must read!

if you are helping anyone with trauma this is the book. read it, pay attention.

lifrsaver

this wonderful book pretty much summed up and unlocked the forgotten mysteries of my childhood.

Wow

I was brought to tears multiple times reading this. It is really an incredible work.