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50th out of 189 books
—
195 voters
Solitude: A Return to the Self
Originally published in 1988, Anthony Storr's enlightening meditation on the creative individual's need for solitude has become a classic. Solitude was seminal in challenging the established belief that "interpersonal relationships of an intimate kind are the chief, if not the only, source of human happiness." Indeed, most self-help literature still places relationships at...more
Paperback, 216 pages
Published
September 27th 2005
by Free Press
(first published July 18th 1988)
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As a very solitary person – for example, I once went eight months without having any conversation with anyone whether online or in person, which is extreme and something most people will never experience (quite honestly, not recommended) - naturally this book interested me. Truthfully I was hoping, ideally, for something from this book that would click in me so that I would not desire or need any relationships with people because I can't seem to do them but yeah, no, that is not going to happen....more
Some of these reviews disappoint the hell out of me in terms of their reflection of how some modern people tend to read books. One of the positive notes in a fairly positive review was that it's "quite validating." Is that a positive? Is that why we read books? To validate what we already feel?
Another reviewer called it discordant. It was not discordant--it eased itself back and forth between argumentative methods as it went along. Is that really too sophisticated of a technique? It seems pretty...more
Another reviewer called it discordant. It was not discordant--it eased itself back and forth between argumentative methods as it went along. Is that really too sophisticated of a technique? It seems pretty...more
Dr. Storr's sensitive and enlightening book is a penetrating reminder that we are, in the end, our own best friend. While not disparaging the value of interpersonal relationships, Storr's observations are a testament to the potential richness of solitary contemplation and communing with one's inner self. Unfortunately, this level of introspection is seen as "strange" by modern western culture. Dr. Storr bucks this tide by assuring us that the desire for solitude is perfectly normal, and even hea...more
Dec 13, 2011
Karen
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Not even a dog I liked
Recommended to Karen by:
online reviews
I was very disappointed in this book. It's description touted it as "a profoundly original exploration of solitude and its role in the lives of creative, fulfilled individuals". It was none of the above. Rather, it is the author's personal rebuttal to most of Freud's philosophy (which I could care less about). It was NOT an exploration of how solitude fueled creative minds, but a depressing litany of all the artists who were neglected, imprisoned, exiled, or institutionalized. While Storr could...more
1 like · like · see review
Jan 28, 2012
David
is currently reading it
I think that the capacity to be alone and just sit still and think honestly for a while are hallmarks of real character, as Storr suggests, with loads of psychological support. It's only recently that we seem to have needed constant stimulation and distraction. As Novalis says, in the final analysis one experiences only oneself, after all. The world certainly is not enough, as the great philosopher James Bond points out. I'd be a Buddhist if it weren't another club. But I like the idea of diving...more
This was such an excellent find...almost lost in the midst of the sidewalk sale at Second Story books in Dupont Circle. Dr. Storr is a psychiatrist as well as a talented writer and researcher. The book is full of fascinating biographical jewels on great minds like Kant, Newton, Henry James, Beatrix Potter, P.G. Wodehouse, Freud, Jung and many more. Storr's main premise is to challenge the predominant theory today that a well-balanced life revolves around deep, significant relationships. He does...more
As a bit of a solitary myself, I'm continually surprised that others seem to need to justify being alone. Storr, with his background of being a psychotherapist, approaches solitude in a scholarly, scientific manner, once again attempting to justify solitude. His arguments seem limited, restricted mostly to viewing solitude as compensatory. The one exception is sleeping, which he points out is not only necessary, but common to all of us, and uses as proof of a biological reason for solitude:
The...more
This was another one of those very well researched, very human studies about how solitude can help you, about how being alone allows us a chance to recover our true selves- the "I" that is hidden from the rest of the world. There are also many very concise summaries of psyches and solitude cravings from famous authors, suggesting that some creative people may thrive in solitude for it allows themselves a chance to collect their thoughts and express themselves, while being lost in an illusion of...more
Nov 25, 2010
James
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history-of-ideas,
psychology
Anthony Storr contrasts the significance of human relationships with the power of solitude in this engaging look at the nature of solitude. The importance of the impersonal part of the human condition and its value for creativity and life is the message of Storr's thoughtful meditation and exegesis. On a voyage consisting of twelve chapters or excursions into the variety of solitude and its meaning the author considers aspects from the "hunger of the imagination" to the "search for coherence" in...more
Storr's hypothesis that being at peace with one's self in combination with others is a welcomed view, but his exploration of creative minds in search for an answer leaves more to be desired. The author's analysis is thorough and at times mundane. In the end the reader is left with the view that yes being at peace with oneself is important, but being crazy should come first. All Storr's examples of creative minds are authors, poets, composers, and scientists that are first crazy, then creative, a...more
Too much history, overall a good book but...
I bought this book thinking that the author would focus much more on "common" people who love to be alone with their thoughts, hobbies, etc... but after some pages, the author lost track of what he was talking about and started talking about famous writers, scientists, physicists, psychologists, etc... and focused entirely on the lives of those people that lived centuries ago. I expected more for a book that talked about Solitude in a day-to-day approa...more
I bought this book thinking that the author would focus much more on "common" people who love to be alone with their thoughts, hobbies, etc... but after some pages, the author lost track of what he was talking about and started talking about famous writers, scientists, physicists, psychologists, etc... and focused entirely on the lives of those people that lived centuries ago. I expected more for a book that talked about Solitude in a day-to-day approa...more
Very interesting book, not totally blown away by it, but he had some really interesting points. Popular psychology has been touting for the last 100 years that interpersonal relationships are THE hub of psychological health. Mr. Storr's argument is that they are A hub, but not THE hub. He argues that a truly healthy mind has a balance between spending time with people and spending time alone. He points out that most of the significant break-throughs by the greatest minds have come after periods...more
This is an odd book. It's as if the author couldn't quite decide if he wanted to talk psychology, with anecdotes from the lives of historical figures, or if he wanted to talk mostly about those specific people with a few passes at a discussion of general psychology. It would have been good either way, I think, but the waffling back and forth is discordant.
Storr's main point is a refutation of commonly held beliefs amongst his contemporaries - psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and psychologists for...more
Storr's main point is a refutation of commonly held beliefs amongst his contemporaries - psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and psychologists for...more
I believe that Anthony did a great job of writing on the subject, but I think that I would have liked to see more thought on the processes behind solitude, rather than just an account of his entire experience. The book was made to seem as though it was a contemplation on the state of mind, but I didn't feel as though there was enough contemplation going on. He was just alone for a long time, and that seemed to be it.
Maybe…we don’t need other people so much? Or is it just that Anthony Storr makes so many great points about solitude having enhanced so many creative geniuses’ output? This is a book that managed to be fascinating while proceeding at a dry steady march. Recommended.
I greatly appreciate a book that understands that we can love our work and our values as well as loving intimate relationships with other people. This book values solitude for creative people.
I really am anjoying this perspective.
I really am anjoying this perspective.
Many famous creative (music, philosophy, mathematical) folks have expressed solitude was a part of their lives. There is also a mental health component...
Kind of old, I think, and a bit dry in places... But there is some good stuff in it. I'm glad I picked it up. Sometimes quite validating to the introvert.
A defense of solitude! Amen. But... it turns out to be entirely through the lens of psycho-analysis. So much. Freud and Jung. No thank you.
Two stars means "it was ok," right?
It was ok. Interesting material, uninteresting take on it.
It was ok. Interesting material, uninteresting take on it.
Interesting subject, poorly written book. I had high hopes for this one as I am entering my second year of artistic celebacy and I'm looking for some answers.
Dry as a summer day on the Moon. Hopefully someone will come along and tackle this subject with a more interesting writing style (or at least a sense of humor).
Hey! (naw...)
-->S.
Dry as a summer day on the Moon. Hopefully someone will come along and tackle this subject with a more interesting writing style (or at least a sense of humor).
Hey! (naw...)
-->S.
Maybe I shouldn't encourage my introverted side any more than I already do.
This book is provocative and awesome. The introvert's manifesto.
An unbelievable book. All of his books are inspirational.
This is a great book with excellent ideas I've always thought about. There are some great insights into the minds of pioneers of psychology and philosophy.
"Increased mobility has undermined the pillars of society."
"The creative person is constantly seeking to discover himself, to remodel his identity, and to find meaning in the universe through what he creates."
"The meaning of his life is constituted less by his personal relationships than it is by work."
"Increased mobility has undermined the pillars of society."
"The creative person is constantly seeking to discover himself, to remodel his identity, and to find meaning in the universe through what he creates."
"The meaning of his life is constituted less by his personal relationships than it is by work."
Hell is other people, right? Anyone who’s achieved anything truly worthy has done it by spending a great deal of time on his own, instead of wasting time with others. Such is the case for the geniuses and the truly creative minds. As for the rest of us – other people can still be hell.
This book wasn’t really what I thought it would be. I was hoping it would convince me to become a schizoid, but it didn’t.
This book wasn’t really what I thought it would be. I was hoping it would convince me to become a schizoid, but it didn’t.
I started reading this book on a silent retreat in Big Sur, so it fit perfectly to the setting. Interesting explanation of different reasons people live a solitary life. Sometimes it's voluntary and sometimes it's unexpected or enforced. Informative and well-written, but the theme was unfocused at times. Still, I found it enjoyable and thought-provoking.
I love this book. I have read it a few times. It always makes me feel good and gives me new insight into things that are important to me. Maybe it is time to read it again.
The main message it holds is that a person can make their own satisfaction and happiness.
The main message it holds is that a person can make their own satisfaction and happiness.
Solitude fostering creativity, often at the expense of depth of relationships, but not necessarily at the expense of happiness or sanity. This is the theme of Storr's long essay, sensitively and intelligently argued.
Who else could resist a bag with "free books" written on it? The other ones were crap, and I thought this one would be too, but it ended up being a pretty good psychological observation of, you guessed it, solitude.
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Anthony Storr was an English psychiatrist and author. He was a child who was to endure the typical trauma of early 20th century UK boarding schools. He was educated at Winchester, Christ's College, the University of Cambridge and Westminster Hospital. He qualified as a doctor in 1944, and subsequently specialized in psychiatry.
Storr grew up to be kind and insightful, yet, as his obituary states, h...more
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Storr grew up to be kind and insightful, yet, as his obituary states, h...more
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“It is true that many creative people fail to make mature personal relationships, and some are extremely isolated. It is also true that, in some instances, trauma, in the shape of early separation or bereavement, has steered the potentially creative person toward developing aspects of his personality which can find fulfillment in comparative isolation. But this does not mean that solitary, creative pursuits are themselves pathological....
[A]voidance behavior is a response designed to protect the infant from behavioural disorganization. If we transfer this concept to adult life, we can see that an avoidant infant might very well develop into a person whose principal need was to find some kind of meaning and order in life which was not entirely, or even chiefly, dependent upon interpersonal relationships.”
—
21 people liked it
[A]voidance behavior is a response designed to protect the infant from behavioural disorganization. If we transfer this concept to adult life, we can see that an avoidant infant might very well develop into a person whose principal need was to find some kind of meaning and order in life which was not entirely, or even chiefly, dependent upon interpersonal relationships.”
“[A]voidance behavior is a response designed to protect the infant from behavioural disorganization. If we transfer this concept to adult life, we can see that an avoidant infant might very well develop into a person whose principal need was to find some kind of meaning and order in life which was not entirely, or even chiefly, dependent upon interpersonal relationships.”
—
5 people liked it
More quotes…
Putting this quote a side to the content of this book, one wonders what C.S Lewis wanted to say - in its n...more
Jan 04, 2013 10:26am