The Sociopath Next Door

I left this book feeling mixed emotions.  I liked some of the stories Martha Stout used as examples, but I was often left wondering how she felt inclined to throw about diagnosis without ever having met any of the actual subjects.  It was something like reading a book of short stories and then being told how those interpretations led you down the path of acquainting yourself with 1 out of 25 people who presumably fit the mold of insanity.  That being said, I couldn't help but compare some of the characteristics to my ex-wife, and admittedly seem to have gained some insight into her way of thinking.

Yes, if the book did anything for me, it has helped me realize my ex-wife is as close to a sociopath as anyone described in this book.  While we all conjure up ax murdering Freddie Kruger types, in reality that is just not the case.  Most of the conscious devoid human beings spend their time making us average normal human beings miserable.  Lying, manipulating, playing people for all they are worth, it just comes natural to the selected 4% of society that somehow fell off the gene pool one stop too quickly.

I did love the advice on how to deal with one of these mentally disturbed people, avoid them.  Damn, if only life were that simple.  I have found firsthand, once they sink their teeth in you, they are like a rabid pit-bull and won't let go.  They just keep chomping down, over and over again hoping to severe an artery.  Interestingly, you will never even know you are dealing with one until the very end and then your mouth will drop to the floor with the sudden realization of damn, now that helps a lot of things make sense.  For me personally, I just hope I am alive when my ex finally decides to torture somebody else.

I am not really sure where the author was going with this novel though.  It isn't a typical psychology book, filled with facts and figures that make your head spin, and it isn't geared toward the "intellectual" crowd either.  It is just too simple to read and understand.  I found myself enjoying it for a few pages, and then questioning what the point was and how she could make such broad generalizations the next.  While I have firsthand experience with my ex-wife and I can definitively say she has all the qualities of a true sociopath, the author of this novel was not personally involved with most of the subjects she was labeling.

Anyway, I did enjoy the novel overall.  It wasn't perfect, but it was an interesting read and if nothing else it did help me understand my own situation so much more.  I think I will find it easier to refrain from anger in the future knowing that my ex is completely devoid of a conscience.  It is just who she is, so I will attempt to use the advice from Martha and do my best to avoid her whenever I can.  For that I will give the book 3 solid stars and would recommend it as an enlightening easy read for the everyday afflicted common man.

And it might even help you understand that person in your life a little bit better, who is driving you absolutely crazy.