Book Secret 9

Another "Secret" I wish to share with you about "Trauma and the Golden Lady" is the purpose within the purpose of the book. As stated before, this is a biography, the told story of Sylvia Plath. Indeed, what's unique is that it's a biography with a focus, a focus on the impact of trauma on her and in her life. Along with telling the story, I seek to invite the reader to reflect on their self from the life of Plath-understand, learn and use what is learned for self-improvement, growth, to avoid Plath's pitfalls and appreciate her gifts and talents, as they discover and develop their own in life. But something even more intimate came about for the reader as I wrote Trauma and the Golden Lady. What I didn't realize I was doing, at least not as clearly as I later discovered, is asking the reader to become as intimate with Sylvia as I seek to be in psychotherapy (at least to some significant degree). I wrote to invite the reader to put their self in the shoes of Sylvia and think and feel as she. What I noticed in reading her words is that, perhaps indicative of her life problems, all seemed disjointed, confusing, fragmented, more like puzzle pieces of Sylvia. Strong moods, sharp words, descriptions of persons, places or things. My writing, as with my therapeutic work, is an attempt to help the reader put her words to life in an integrated fashion, put at least some of the puzzle pieces together in a way that would help her come alive and walk along with you and you with her. Of course, perfection is not possible. It's not just saying (as she did) how she felt or what she thought that I wish you to be with, but also to show you how her thoughts-feelings-acrtions developed and were lived-out, for better and worse - her lived-out story , her phenomenal world, including her culture. Showing the cultural context in which she lived from 1932 to 1963 gives the reader, I hope, an even greater understanding of what may have both facilitated and impeded Sylvia's development towards well-being. Some of the feedback I've already received from others who have read my book, especially those who have suffered some of what Sylvia did, tell me that this more intimate purpose is accomplished. I hear from readers:
"You hit the nail on the head. That's how someone feels when they feel like that."
"I couldn't put the book down. didn"t want the book to end."
"I've read many book about Plath and this was my favorite."
"Sylvia herself was calling you to write this."
I treasure the reader's response as much as I treasure that from my clients. No greater gift have I received about my life work.
I'd very much appreciate your feedback about my book and it's Purpose within the purpose. Enjoy!
Dr. Bob