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The Hypnotist
Drawn together by mutual friends and a shared love of art, Signe, a talented photographer with a promising career, and William, a psychiatrist, construct an intensely private and passionate world of two. From the beginning, William asserts subtle but firm control of Signe (influencing what she eats, who she sees, how she works and where she lives). While Signe willingly exposes her emotional world to William's intense scrutiny, he remains relatively unknown to his lover. Driven by a desire to penetrate the mystery of this man with whom she is enamoured, Signe turns her inquisitive eye to the professional world of hypnotherapy. As her aperture widens, Signe comes to recognize just how much of her independence she has surrendered to William. Slowly, inexorably, the confining walls of their intimacy begin to crumble, until Signe re-emerges as her clear-eyed, spirited self.
In precise and evocative prose, Sarah Sheard has written a cautionary tale about the perils of romantic love, reminding readers of its intoxicating, but ultimately short-lived, effects. Sheard draws upon her powers as a seasoned novelist and her insights as a practising psychotherapist to pen a compelling psychological thriller.
In precise and evocative prose, Sarah Sheard has written a cautionary tale about the perils of romantic love, reminding readers of its intoxicating, but ultimately short-lived, effects. Sheard draws upon her powers as a seasoned novelist and her insights as a practising psychotherapist to pen a compelling psychological thriller.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
25 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Sheard
10 books4 followersSarah Sheard is an award-winning novelist living and working in Toronto. Her novels have been reviewed in The New York Times, Newsday, The Globe and Mail and others. Her novels have been translated into Japanese, Dutch, German, French and Spanish.
Her previous novels: Almost Japanese, The Swing Era and The Hypnotist. Her new novel is Krank: Love in the New Dark Times.
Her previous novels: Almost Japanese, The Swing Era and The Hypnotist. Her new novel is Krank: Love in the New Dark Times.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 8, 2021
I first read this novel in 2005 and it rather haunted me for the last 15 or so years. I didn’t lose any sleep over it but did wonder at times why Signe, and other women, fell so hard for men like William. Then an attractive, successful female friend fell under the spell of a talented, successful, attractive, outwardly charming but controlling man. Everyone except my friend (who did not lack confidence or emotional intelligence) knew almost immediately that the relationship was wrong. It took her a while but she finally gave him up. Recently I re-read this novel and understood it better. This is an ideal novel for those who are looking for a soulmate but with all the wrong qualities.
May 25, 2019
I’ve read this book maybe four or five times. I plan to read it again. I suppose you could say it found me at the exact perfect moment in my life, and I’m grateful.
Signe is a strong, independent, interesting woman, with her share of baggage and insecurities. I see her struggling to put together the pieces of her life, and I’m inspired by her passion for her art (photography).
When she meets William, he slowly worms his way into her life with subtle manipulation. He’s brilliant, intuitive, observant. He sees Signe right down to her marrow and he uses her insecurities to control her without her even noticing.
The research that has gone into this book is impressive. The writing is wonderful. And the characters!! Oh. They are so real and terrifying and flawed. I was so wrapped up in the story and the lives of these people, it took me a while to realize how important the message was. This shit can happen to anyone.
There’s so much I want to say about this book, but I’d prefer to leave a review without spoilers. This isn’t a love story, unless it’s a story about how to love yourself and come through the other side of an abusive relationship. Signe is no withering flower, and yet she found herself in the clutches of a terror.
Signe is a strong, independent, interesting woman, with her share of baggage and insecurities. I see her struggling to put together the pieces of her life, and I’m inspired by her passion for her art (photography).
When she meets William, he slowly worms his way into her life with subtle manipulation. He’s brilliant, intuitive, observant. He sees Signe right down to her marrow and he uses her insecurities to control her without her even noticing.
The research that has gone into this book is impressive. The writing is wonderful. And the characters!! Oh. They are so real and terrifying and flawed. I was so wrapped up in the story and the lives of these people, it took me a while to realize how important the message was. This shit can happen to anyone.
There’s so much I want to say about this book, but I’d prefer to leave a review without spoilers. This isn’t a love story, unless it’s a story about how to love yourself and come through the other side of an abusive relationship. Signe is no withering flower, and yet she found herself in the clutches of a terror.
April 3, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
November 21, 2013
First Book I Read By Sarah Sheard
This is the first book that I read by Toronto psychotherapist and author Sarah Sheard. It was back in 2001, at a time when I was contemplating becoming a novelist who, like Sheard, would draw upon their professional experience to inform a book's plot and themes. I ended up focusing on my nonficton writing instead.
A Novel From The Viewpoint Of A Psychotherapist
As for Sheard, she has applied her therapist's viewpoint in The Hypnotist by creating a psychologically taut study of an arrogant, cold-hearted male suitor, William - a successful psychiatrist - and his rather diffident (though talented and lovely) objet d'amour, Signe.
The novel chronicles a pas de deux between the Svengali-like William and the surprisingly docile Signe. This dance of the lovers rings true to a large enough extent. I found the story compelling in its depiction of William and Signe as hunter and willingly hunted, respectively. As well, the references to Gestalt psychology were highly enlightening.
Questioning The Author's Stereotypes Of The Sexes
However I must profess to scratch my head at how Sheard portrays Signe. Why as such a frail and dependent damsel in distress? From whence does Signe's abject lack of self-confidence stem? If the author gives us sufficient hints of this in the novel, I must have overlooked them.
As such, I was ultimately disappointed with the story. Its conclusion is, given the narcissism and sociopathology of William throughout the book, eminently predictable. This does not spoil the writing and descriptiveness Sheard employs. However it does lead me to wonder what the author must think, in real life, of men (venal conquerors) and women (hapless victims). Interesting. What might Gestalt have to say about this?
A readable novel, with plenty of emotional grist for the psychology mill. But let's please give more credit to women for their capacity to fend for themselves?
REVIEWER'S NOTE:
Several months after reading The Hypnotist in 2001, I looked up Sarah Sheard's phone number and called her directly. We are both based in Toronto. I congratulated her for being an accomplished author. And I explained that I was considering writing fiction that, like hers, would draw on my professional experience (at the time as a career consultant and nonfiction author).
Sarah was a pleasure to converse with. Her insights were very helpful. Fast forward to the early part of 2013. I attended an open house of authors doing readings. Beside me sat an engaging woman who was invited up to read. When she was introduces as Sarah Sheard, I smiled appreciatively. Small world.
This is the first book that I read by Toronto psychotherapist and author Sarah Sheard. It was back in 2001, at a time when I was contemplating becoming a novelist who, like Sheard, would draw upon their professional experience to inform a book's plot and themes. I ended up focusing on my nonficton writing instead.
A Novel From The Viewpoint Of A Psychotherapist
As for Sheard, she has applied her therapist's viewpoint in The Hypnotist by creating a psychologically taut study of an arrogant, cold-hearted male suitor, William - a successful psychiatrist - and his rather diffident (though talented and lovely) objet d'amour, Signe.
The novel chronicles a pas de deux between the Svengali-like William and the surprisingly docile Signe. This dance of the lovers rings true to a large enough extent. I found the story compelling in its depiction of William and Signe as hunter and willingly hunted, respectively. As well, the references to Gestalt psychology were highly enlightening.
Questioning The Author's Stereotypes Of The Sexes
However I must profess to scratch my head at how Sheard portrays Signe. Why as such a frail and dependent damsel in distress? From whence does Signe's abject lack of self-confidence stem? If the author gives us sufficient hints of this in the novel, I must have overlooked them.
As such, I was ultimately disappointed with the story. Its conclusion is, given the narcissism and sociopathology of William throughout the book, eminently predictable. This does not spoil the writing and descriptiveness Sheard employs. However it does lead me to wonder what the author must think, in real life, of men (venal conquerors) and women (hapless victims). Interesting. What might Gestalt have to say about this?
A readable novel, with plenty of emotional grist for the psychology mill. But let's please give more credit to women for their capacity to fend for themselves?
REVIEWER'S NOTE:
Several months after reading The Hypnotist in 2001, I looked up Sarah Sheard's phone number and called her directly. We are both based in Toronto. I congratulated her for being an accomplished author. And I explained that I was considering writing fiction that, like hers, would draw on my professional experience (at the time as a career consultant and nonfiction author).
Sarah was a pleasure to converse with. Her insights were very helpful. Fast forward to the early part of 2013. I attended an open house of authors doing readings. Beside me sat an engaging woman who was invited up to read. When she was introduces as Sarah Sheard, I smiled appreciatively. Small world.
October 28, 2012
Don't understand how this book received such glowing reviews about how poetic and lyrical this story was. 'The English Patient' is poetic and lyrical, this author just tries far too hard and came off sounding silly. Example, the main character's thoughts on Paris (in her mind a paradise): "...the diesel-tinged air...the throb of traffic, moistened her heart." What the hell, moistened her heart?? Sure made me want to jump on a plane and head to Paris. Silly.
July 24, 2013
I enjoyed this book. The only negative thing that I noticed was it kind of jumped from idea to idea. There wasn't much time to process something which occured in the book before it completely jumped to a something else. Otherwise a good read, however.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews