Flora Rheta Schreiber (1918–1988)

I'm not sure what motivated me to pick up this classic story, but I found myself just as fascinated now as when I first heard about Sybil when I was a child. I can't really say how much I actually believe in multiple personality disorder in general, but this book is well written and so thorough in its details and intimate personal knowledge of Sybil, that everything was very believable. The brain is a fascinating organ, and I am always amazed at how it rewires itself for survival; I can see show more how multiple personality disorder could be just another of those survival mechanisms.

I appreciated that this book delved deeply into Sybil's thoughts and emotions -- across all her personalities. The details of Sybil's childhood traumas are almost too horrific to read about; it was quite painful to imagine what this little girl went through. After finishing the book, I was left with a profound sense of hope, that perhaps all the children who suffer abuse can be healed and helped to lead normal lives. If only we could protect them all from abuse to begin with. show less

My opinion on this book is mixed, mainly due to the controversy involved with the author and therapist accounts (Google: "Sybil: The Making of a Disease?"). There have been many questions raised about the validity of the case study and diagnosis of MPD. If this book is, in fact, a true story, it is an appalling example of the horrors of child abuse. Sybil, after suffering unspeakable acts of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of her schizophrenic mother, begins splintering show more off segments of her psyche in order to cope, creating 16 separate and distinct personalities. The book chronicles her therapy and recovery over a span of 20 years. There are many psychological terms included in the text, some of which are now considered dated (ex: Multiple Personality Disorder is now called Dissociative Identity Disorder), and many of the Freudian techniques and diagnoses mentioned are now disputed. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in psychology (as I do), though I'd also suggest researching the rebuttals. show less

I'm giving this four stars, even if there is a new book out claiming it's all made it, just for pure page-turning readability. Every page introduces something shocking and who doesn't love to read about multiple personalities? While thinking of Sally Field?

I got this book entirely by chance in a bag of hand-me-down books, and I sure am glad I did. it is a wonderful case study in the case of a woman who had many multiple personalities. The book itself is nicely-paced, going back and forth between a novel-like narrative, and more factual entries on Sybil's history and case points, including some of her sessions with Dr. Wilbur. It is a fun and informative read but it is really sad to read about how her mother abused her.