Sybil: The True Story of a Woman Possessed by Sixteen Separate Personalities

"Although well written I would not class this book as an easy read,never the less I enjoyed it immensely. It is very informative in regards to the condition and offers excellent insight into what a sufferer endures. I personally feel that the book comes across as rather clinical, written perhaps in a more professional manner. I felt that it was not very empathic or warm even, especially in regards to the barbaric abuse that Sybil was subjected to, in fact it was quite dispassionate. However, this does not reflect negatively upon it's literary qualities.
The very existence of this disorder goes beyond proof that the human mind is utterly compelling and in it's self a complex miracle.
There was one particular paragraph within the book that I could really relate to, I quote "Like a mollusc, Willard Dorsett had always stayed within his shell,insulated in the private sea of his own concerns", I correlate this to my very own father too, he was much the same in regards to his own dissociation regarding acknowledgement of my abuse.
I recommend anyone whom is studying or just interested in Psychology/Therapy to read this book as it is profound, a masterpiece."
~ Written on 2007-11-12

"I can recomend this book to anyone who enjoys these type of books or anyone for that matter, i read this after reading the quiet room, and both i thoughly enjoyed, even if heartbreaking at points, she is a truly remarkable person to come through it as best she could. It puts my own problems in perspective, ive even brought the film after reading this."
~ Written on 2005-11-23

"I have read this book twice as it is that fascinating. Sybil's story is truly unique and heartbreaking. The abuse she suffers at the hands of her mother is uncomprehensible. I would recommend this book to everybody as it certainly shows how easy it can be to lose touch with reality, without even knowing it. It really makes you question your own sanity."
~ Written on 2004-08-20

"This is like nothing you'll ever read again in your life. I really do think that about this. It's extraordinary, the tale of one woman with sixteen personalities, who each meet her doctor and explain their lives. I don't think that just because it's true one should hide the natural fascination which is inspired by the narrative. It is, after all, written in such a way that commands an emotional response. If the author had not intended this then she would surely have written a book of facts and analysis. It is, without any doubt in my mind, dramatised. I don't think it is a compulsive read. There is quite a lot of medical information in between the incredibly surreal encounters with the doctor. But it is absolutely worth reading."
~ Written on 2004-08-02

"That this book is a true story is something I had to constantly remind myself as I was reading it, because in many ways it feels like a novel. The Sybil described in this book is so alien that I found it almost impossible to relate to her as a human being.

That's to take nothing away from the book. Sybil's story alone is good enough to make this book a classic, but it is well and sympathetically written after years of painstaking research by the author.

The suspense of finding out what happened in Sybil's childhood to cause the disassociation into different personalities is superbly done, and makes reading the book a thoroughly gripping experience."
~ Written on 2004-07-29