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Sybil
Buku ini adalah kisah nyata kehidupan Shirley Mason alias Sybil setelah buku dan filmnya dirilis. Terdapat lebih dari 100 lukisan berwarna yang dilukis oleh 5 kepribadian majemuk Sybil dan lukisan lainnya setelah dia sembuh. Shirley menikmati paruh kedua hidupnya sebagai seorang seniman sukses, teman yang baik dalam komunitasnya, bahkan sebagai pengurus mantan terapisnya, Dr. Wilbur, yang terserang struk dan meninggal beberapa tahun kemudian.
567 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 1, 2019
This should be more known than the "Sybil exposed"
August 18, 2026
I had such high hopes for this book. I wanted insight into “Sybil” aka Shirley Mason’s life after she finished therapy.
Here are some of my issues with the book.
1-writer and psychologist Patrick Suraci had a bit of an obsession with the woman known as Sybil. According to him, he sought out a relationship with the writer of the book Flora Rheta Schreiber, constantly asking for updates and repeatedly asking for Sybil’s real name. I know this because he tells his readers this. Flora vowed never to disclose her name.
2-Flora leaves Patrick some of Sybil’s paintings and he discovers the name Shirley Ardell Mason underneath one of the frames. He then proceeds to investigate whether that was Sybil’s real name. He obtains her phone number. Although he considers calling her might be an invasion of privacy (ya think?) he ponders for two years then tells himself as a psychologist he should make sure Shirley is okay. The difference between Patrick and a stalker is that Patrick has a doctorate and convinces himself he’s altruistic.
3-throughout the relationship between Patrick and Sybil, he seems to have ulterior motives, wanting to get his hands on her artwork, promising to take care of the portfolio and while he did, Suraci’s constant humble-bragging never gave me the impression that Shirley’s needs came first.
4-Shirley’s life as an integrated person is blessedly ordinary and content which, in my opinion was the best possible scenario for her. She deserved the mundane life that would make a very boring book. Suraci’s challenge in writing the book was that much of it is as interesting as me reading about someone visiting her cousins and hanging out.
5-The interesting parts of the book happened before Dr Wilbur/Connie’s death of which Suraci had no direct knowledge. I can see why in the 1970s therapist and patient became friends, despite the breach of ethics. Shirley needed a “home base”, which Dr Wilbur had become, in a way few clients ever would. Plus time had passed as they became closer.
6- Suraci writes of a conference Shirley and Connie attended, adding that they shared a bedroom in Shirley’s cousin’s house during the conference. He then adds there’s no evidence of anything sexual between them. Which I wouldn’t have thought of had he not mentioned it because women friends share hotel rooms on trip. Also, Shirley never mentions sexual feelings for anyone, who can blame her after all that abuse and torture. Connie never gave any indication that she’d take advantage of Shirley or any other client.
7- Shirley took care of Connie for six years after her stroke in the way a daughter might become her mother’s caretaker in her final years. I would have loved to read more about this relationship, no matter how controversial. Suraci doesn’t have the writing skills to tell this story. Flora would have done it justice.
Here are some of my issues with the book.
1-writer and psychologist Patrick Suraci had a bit of an obsession with the woman known as Sybil. According to him, he sought out a relationship with the writer of the book Flora Rheta Schreiber, constantly asking for updates and repeatedly asking for Sybil’s real name. I know this because he tells his readers this. Flora vowed never to disclose her name.
2-Flora leaves Patrick some of Sybil’s paintings and he discovers the name Shirley Ardell Mason underneath one of the frames. He then proceeds to investigate whether that was Sybil’s real name. He obtains her phone number. Although he considers calling her might be an invasion of privacy (ya think?) he ponders for two years then tells himself as a psychologist he should make sure Shirley is okay. The difference between Patrick and a stalker is that Patrick has a doctorate and convinces himself he’s altruistic.
3-throughout the relationship between Patrick and Sybil, he seems to have ulterior motives, wanting to get his hands on her artwork, promising to take care of the portfolio and while he did, Suraci’s constant humble-bragging never gave me the impression that Shirley’s needs came first.
4-Shirley’s life as an integrated person is blessedly ordinary and content which, in my opinion was the best possible scenario for her. She deserved the mundane life that would make a very boring book. Suraci’s challenge in writing the book was that much of it is as interesting as me reading about someone visiting her cousins and hanging out.
5-The interesting parts of the book happened before Dr Wilbur/Connie’s death of which Suraci had no direct knowledge. I can see why in the 1970s therapist and patient became friends, despite the breach of ethics. Shirley needed a “home base”, which Dr Wilbur had become, in a way few clients ever would. Plus time had passed as they became closer.
6- Suraci writes of a conference Shirley and Connie attended, adding that they shared a bedroom in Shirley’s cousin’s house during the conference. He then adds there’s no evidence of anything sexual between them. Which I wouldn’t have thought of had he not mentioned it because women friends share hotel rooms on trip. Also, Shirley never mentions sexual feelings for anyone, who can blame her after all that abuse and torture. Connie never gave any indication that she’d take advantage of Shirley or any other client.
7- Shirley took care of Connie for six years after her stroke in the way a daughter might become her mother’s caretaker in her final years. I would have loved to read more about this relationship, no matter how controversial. Suraci doesn’t have the writing skills to tell this story. Flora would have done it justice.
February 15, 2020
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.
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.
July 4, 2020
Honestly, I loved the movie but didn't care for the book.
November 1, 2020
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.
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.
June 20, 2016
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.
August 21, 2015
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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews