The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self

Alice Miller

Sep 2018 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by Suzanne Toren

About this audiobook

This bestselling book examines childhood trauma and the enduring effects it has on an individual's management of repressed anger and pain. 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.

Ratings and reviews

I work as a therapist and this book feels very OUTDATED. for a book that focuses on childhood trauma it mentions little to no current research on trauma. it instead uses alot of Paychodynamic language to explain childhood trauma. there are a few good take aways from this book, however nothing revolutionary. the title of the book also seems misleading as it doesn't really mention anything new about "gifted children" which the title might allude to. some of the language borders on judgmental such as the repeated emphasis on "sexual perversion" which is a term used outside of psychology to put down minority groups. I also would not recommend this book to a client as the books organization is convoluted and might get some people lost.; not to mention the outdated language. pros include the emphasis on experimental feeling/ grieving in order to resolve old traumas. however there are no practical systematic steps illustrated, so again I would not offer this to a client.

very good

About the author

Alice Miller (1923-2010) achieved worldwide recognition for her work on the causes and effects of childhood traumas. She was also the author of many books, including The Truth Will Set You Free, Banished Knowledge, Breaking Down the Wall of Silence, Thou Shalt Not Be Aware, and For Your Own Good.