The Other Within: The Genius of Deformity in Myth, Culture, and Psyche

by Daniel Deardorff

Daniel Deardorff knows otherness firsthand. This highly regarded “singer” in the old sense of that word—musician, storyteller, maker of ritual—had polio as an infant and has used a wheelchair most of his life, giving him a lived perspective that deeply informs his views on this subject. In The Other Within, Deardorff starts with a radical to disclose the blessings of outsiderhood, the many gifts and insights contributed to culture by the marginalized and outcast. Unlike studies that stress the plight of the outsider, this one asserts that to be cast down and out of the consensus-worldview affords a difficult yet significant to encounter oneself, not as defined by society but as one actually is. An eloquent spokesman for “the man or woman on the weird road,” Deardorff presents dozens of powerful examples from myth and literature to illustrate his message in a richly allusive, complex series of essays. Drawing on the work of mythologians, poets, psychologists, and scholars, The Other Within takes readers on an initiatory journey, uncovering the roots of human identity and imagination and offering insights–including “trickster wisdom”—revealing the mythic underpinnings of everyday life. This second edition includes updated text, a new introduction, and a helpful glossary.

Genres: Nonfiction, Disability, Mythology, Philosophy, Folklore

264 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2008

Reviews

[Brian Brogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deardorff was an original thinker who brought us into the depths and nuances of life with great insight. This is a brilliant work, dense and rich, it deserves much more attention.
This is the in-depth look at the outsider, living on the edge/fringe of society - the one empowered by embracing their shadow and making it dance. Easily on par with Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung's work. I haven't read anything of this caliber and freshness for decades. Deep, pondering, reflective. Daniel delivers a concise distillation of the outsiders' mythical role in life. It's a confirming book articulating the inner and outer world of the mad wanderers, artists..creative types, hermits, shamans, adventurers - those that don't fit into the dysfunctional norms of society and culture but still managing them... creatively - with eyes open to the trickster and pitfalls of the limelight, recognition, and rewards of the establishment. This is not a book for a light easy read, it's asking for a discerning intelligence and wisdom, and points us towards the life worth living. It's very rewarding if you take the time to learn what you don't understand. Daniel does truly walk his talk, he is the embodiment of what he presents here, in my brief exchange with him - he's the real deal who has done the work and lived it.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expect to be re-reading this gem. Highest possible recommendation.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very dense read with lots of psychological verbiage but containing some delicious nuggets to ponder.