LJM VO

Fascinating Listen

Revisado: 02-12-25

When I listen to books of this nature, it becomes more and more apparent how difficult it is to separate the truly insane (persons not responsible for their crimes) as opposed to the ones who have brain or personality disorders where there is little chance of successfully treating, whether they acknowledge their crimes or not. I just don't know. A greater understanding of brain function is clearly indicated, and I was happy to hear of the various tests that are now available for therapists to diagnose these conditions. So where to go from there?
I have to admit, I have had little experience with people with personality disorders, but the ones I have known, (mainly those categorized in the Cluster B personality disorders, the cluster where sociopathy resides) are not capable of self reflection. They generally blame others for whatever they have done- nothing is ever their fault. They don't take responsibility for their actions. How can these people be helped if they feel no remorse?
Perhaps (not perhaps, surely) more intervention needs to executed by social services before these personality disorders can solidify. In almost all of these cases, severe, ongoing abuse or neglect has been present from early childhood. How can we, as a society, prevent this? Clearly early intervention is needed. Easy to say, not so easy to execute. Sadly.

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Loved it!

Revisado: 08-15-24

It's been about 40 years since I read this book. Some books, the timeless ones that span generations, cannot be fully appreciated until you have some life experience. This was one of those books. Linda Stephens did a fantastic job as the narrator. She made the story come alive in a way that isn't possible by just reading it or watching the movie, which I have done on countless occasions. Certain books are so well written, and the story is so epic. These books cause what I call a 'book hangover.' After you finish them, you can't stop thinking about them for days or sometimes even weeks. They hang on in your mind...

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Insightful

Revisado: 05-05-24

The story had me hooked from the first sentence. Sociopathy is such a difficult thing for a neurotypical to understand. It really is. I've known a couple of people like Patric. Still do. I think many are confused and miserable, and live a lonely life. They don't have a strong sense of self, with little capability of introspection. Patric is an exception, not the rule. She worked hard to understand what was going on in her brain. Few sociopaths fall into this category. Most ( at least the ones I know) take no responsibility for their actions. It's always someone else's fault. Few seek therapy, and when they do, generally don't stay in therapy for long.

I think Patric really has helped the general population understand that their brains are just wired differently. For that, I give her credit. Great book!

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Visuals

Revisado: 11-13-23

I loved the listen. I was a NICU nurse for 40 years. Losses like this change the trajectory of a parents' life. It happens just as described. One minute, the baby is doing fine, an hour later... I don't know how parents move on, I really don't. 40 years, I remember every baby we lost, each parent.
The reason I gave 3 stars for the overall story is because pictures were referenced many times. For the most part, I was running when I listened. I just felt they were important, especially for an audio performance...to see the pictures when he referenced them. If you were in the actual audience, it would be great. For me, anyway, it diminished the impact.

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Loved it!

Revisado: 10-27-22

This would be a great book for a book club. So many aspects of the story to ponder and speculate.

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For Real?

Revisado: 08-25-22

At first, I wasn't sure this story was true. Sadly, I guess it was, as I see the author has written other books.
Sadly, in the sense that people adapt to their surroundings, even when their situation is horrific. This book really spells that out for the listener. We're talking drugs in East Baltimore at the height of the crack epidemic. How normal the chaos was to the people living it.
I would suggest slowing the narration down a bit. Made it easier to understand.

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Love Don Winslow's writing

Revisado: 05-17-22

Every story was excellent and many times, well, all the time, he ties in peripheral characters from his other books. You can't ever tell what will happen, may end in tragedy, may end with the good guy finally winnimg in the end. That's the thing with Don Winslow. You just never know. There are great writers and there are great storytellers. Few authors are both. He is.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Loved it!

Revisado: 04-02-22

I have never had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Feynman speak, but after listening to this book, I am now curious. Maybe I will actually look up the PBS documentaries on which the book is based:)

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Interesting.

Revisado: 02-26-21

While this is quite interesting, it isn't anything I haven't read before. I suppose, at some point in the future, we will be able to do more than just map what area of the brain malfuntions in mental disorders, but identify, on the molecular level, what is happening in our brains. We are a very long way from that.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Had me guessing until the very last word.

Revisado: 12-31-20

Great writing. GREAT narration. All around fantastic! Highly recommend to anyone that loves a great story.

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