Sybil In Her Own Words: The Untold Story of Shirley Mason, Her Multiple Personalities and Paintings

by Patrick Suraci

This book is about the person at the heart of one of the most notorious cases in modern times of someone suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder) - Sybil.

Based on taped conversations that Patrick Suraci had with Shirley Mason (known to the world as “Sybil”) from 1993 until her death in 1998, the book reveals the untold story of Sybil’s life.

This new information about Sybil’s early years, her psychoanalysis, and the integration of her sixteen personalities has never before been disclosed to the public.

One hundred reproductions of paintings from the Sybil years are presented and interpreted. Most of them have never been seen by the general public.

Previously unreleased photographs of Shirley Mason at various ages are presented. Shirley’s cousin also provided Dr. Suraci with letters written by Shirley. Included is a photograph of Shirley with her painting at The National Arts Club on Gramercy Park where she won the student competition while attending Columbia University and undergoing psychoanalysis in New York in 1955. (from the product page at Amazon.com)

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Biography, Mental Illness, Biography Memoir

366 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Lore LongSoulSystem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be more known than the "Sybil exposed"

[JD Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read about Shirley’s life after Sybil, although at times the phone conversations could have been condensed a little as the verbatim transcripts could get a bit monotonous.

I wish there was more in the book about how Shirley felt at the time she was undergoing therapy. Things like how she coped with the different alters as well as the therapy process and how she viewed it all many years on. Unfortunately the book did not go into her discussing DID/MPD much at all.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I loved the movie but didn't care for the book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I remember watching the movie many years ago. It's wonderful to one that Shirley lived well after all she went through.

[Darlah Aurani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like how a bioghraphy told us a story about an inspiring ones. Then I felt in love more with the conversation, and the story that captured an amazing experiences that ever happened between Shirley and Patrick. Shirley Mason such an amazing creatures that would give you a strenght to keep and a lot to learned. And the paintings she made, totally absorb me into the things the personality feeling. The paintings is most worth things that could describe us about how to screening a kids wheter they have mental illness or not. Such a good knowladge beside it's controversial things outside. Well since I read the book as I took my mental illness class before, I could say it is a good aplication to know wheter it was compatible within the theory or not. Nice writing.

[Emma Peel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mainly rambling and stilted memories of telphone conversations with little purpose to them. A lot of arse-covering from the author about why he feels it is ok to publish previously private material, and how he purposefully formed a relationship purportedly caring for Sybil but which seems overjustified and somewhat oily.

One star for the paintings which are of genuine interest. Zero stars for the horrendous writing style; walls and walls of text that never reach a point. An uncomfortable read in which the author's true motive is never clear.