The Survival Papers: Anatomy of a Midlife Crisis

Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts #35

by Daryl Sharp

Lost your mate, your energy, peace of mind? Welcome to midlife crisis. Jung's basis concepts--persona, shadow, anima/animus, complexes, projection and typology--come alive as one man's plight is dramatically portrayed with humor, compassion and ruthless clarity.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Daryl Leonard Merle Sharp is a Jungian analyst and publisher. He lives in Toronto, Canada and has two sons and two daughters.

He earned two Bachelor degrees, one in mathematics and physics and the other in journalism, at Carleton University in Canada, and a Masters degree in literature and philosophy from the University of Sussex in England. Sharp entered training at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zürich in 1974, along with other members of the so-called "Canadian mafia," which included Fraser Boa, Marion Woodman and John Dourley.

Upon graduating in 1978, Sharp returned to Canada to begin an analytic practice and tour North America on the Jungian lecture circuit. Together with Marion Woodman and Fraser Boa, Sharp co-founded the Ontario Association of Jungian Analysts in Toronto in 1982 (followed by a training program for analysts in 2000).

In 1980, Sharp also began his major labour of love: Inner City Books, still the world's only publishing house dealing exclusively with the work of Jungian analysts. Sharp's first publication was his diploma thesis, The Secret Raven: Conflict and Transformation in the Life of Franz Kafka. Many others followed, including multiple publications by analysts such as Marion Woodman, Edward F. Edinger, James Hollis and J. Gary Sparks, and especially Marie-Louise von Franz, who graciously agreed to act as honorary patron of Inner City Books.

Sharp himself is the author of more than 30 titles, mainly designed to introduce and explain Jungian concepts to lay audiences. Personality Types and Digesting Jung are available as free eBooks on Inner City Books' website.}

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable book that provides straightforward explanations of key Jungian concepts in the context of a two year analysis of a man struggling in his relationship with his wife. I especially appreciated the author’s discussion of counter-transference as he talked about seeing his younger self in his analysand.

[Michael Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. A true account of a middle aged man's journey through Jungian analysis. His life's falling apart - he's estranged from his wife, he's feeling wasted, lost, and finally turns to a Jungian analyst for help.

It's not a technical book - I found it very accessible. As a lifelong reader of Jung's work, I also found some valuable insights here into their application. A very human story. If you're a middle aged guy caught up in a midlife crisis, this book will make you feel better, make you realise you're in good company, and that it's not hopeless.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting, fun, and worthwhile read. I left this feeling hopeful and alive.