- Paperback: 624 pages
- Publisher: Hutchinson; New edition edition (2 Mar 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0091796873
- ISBN-13: 978-0091796877
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 14.4 x 4.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 566,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Human Traces
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Review
"* 'It is of a Russian novelist, Tolstoy, that one finds oneself thinking while reading Human Traces - something about the novel's lovely but unnerving mixture of epic grandeur and shattering personal simplicity; the burning, idealistic engagement with the human condition of its principal characters; and the infinitely touching courage of their attempts to make a difference. This is a bold and remarkable work of imagination' - Jane Shilling, Sunday Telegraph * 'An erudite and lyrical exposition of early psychiatry which is as illuminating as a floodlight in the dark... Human Traces improves on all its predecessors in its scale, its complexity and its scholarship' - Independent on Sunday * 'Faulks emerges as a writer with muscle, with affinities to the great Europeans: Thomas Mann, Balzac, Stendhal... But Faulks has not jettisoned his novelist's instincts and what gives Human Traces its pathos and power is the sense of our abiding frailty before life's intransigent mysteries and the dimness of our rational understanding' - Sally Vickers, The Times * 'Shocking and enlightening... Faulks has a great ability to meld scientific theory with human drama... Its ambition is admirable; its entertainment value... is equally undeniable' - Philip Hoare, Daily Mail"
The Times
'Fascinating'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Unfortunately I have to agree with the comments from the reviewer below - far too much detail. I started Human Traces eagerly and found it to be very interesting, particularly the descriptions of typical mental asylums in the 19th Century. But…. after about 200 pages my interest started to wane. I don’t wish to do the author a disservice as the time and effort Faulks has spent researching psychiatry is clearly evident and incredibly impressive, however I picked this book from the shelf thinking it was going to be an interesting (and, knowing Faulks, possibly thought provoking) work of fiction, not a dissertation on the history of mental illness. But unfortunately that’s what it turned out to be. At certain points Faulks literally transcribes speeches and lectures from the characters regarding their thoughts on psychiatry; one of which lasts for 22 pages!
Aside from that, I did enjoy the plot and enjoyed seeing how life treated Jacques and Thomas over the years. Ultimately this is a very interesting book and I’m sure those who have a particular interest in the field of neurology and psychology would hugely enjoy this book, but it was just too didactic for my liking.
51 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was recommended to me, but before I started reading it I foolishly read some of the reviews on Amazon. This put me off starting it and then while I was reading it I kept waiting for it to become hard going or boring. It never did. I will say as others have said that sometimes the text and ideas are hard to follow and need reading over a couple of times, but these sections only last a few pages and soon you are back reading the beautiful family saga which the book ultimately is.
Sebastian Faulks has taken his obvious interest in the thoughts and philosophies of humans and woven them into a deeply human and touching story. I loved all the characters and cared for them. It was one of those books which I couldn't wait to get to bed to read and woke up early in the morning to see what would happen next.
It explores what it means to be human which although set in the past is very relevant to today. It gives insight into scientific research and the ways that new ideas are put forward then discounted or fall out of fashion. It made me realise that we are still a long long way from understanding the human mind one hundred years later.
I thought the ending was perfect and very satisfying. An incredibly rewarding book which makes you marvel at the skill of the writer.
Sebastian Faulks has taken his obvious interest in the thoughts and philosophies of humans and woven them into a deeply human and touching story. I loved all the characters and cared for them. It was one of those books which I couldn't wait to get to bed to read and woke up early in the morning to see what would happen next.
It explores what it means to be human which although set in the past is very relevant to today. It gives insight into scientific research and the ways that new ideas are put forward then discounted or fall out of fashion. It made me realise that we are still a long long way from understanding the human mind one hundred years later.
I thought the ending was perfect and very satisfying. An incredibly rewarding book which makes you marvel at the skill of the writer.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Faulks does it again after a good few years without him. This is by far the most far spread novel by faulks to date that questions the human mind and what it means to be human. Starting in 1860 and finishing after the great war this novel leaves you heartbroken at the sufferring of 3 main characters. once i finished this book i had to start over because you cannot help but feel part of these characters as you follow them through their whole life. This book is a must read for anyone who is into psychology or philosophy with heartbreaking moments.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Ambitious yes, but as emotive as ever
Forget all of the reviews saying this is too long, too academic or indulgent.
This is the most moving and enlightening book I have read in a long time, and perhaps Faulks'... Read more
This is the most moving and enlightening book I have read in a long time, and perhaps Faulks'... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Breadman
I enjoyed it!
Human Traces is an ambitious and worthwhile book, albeit a tad bit long.
Set in the late 1800s/ early 1900s, this tells the tale of two young psychiatrists who meet and... Read more
Set in the late 1800s/ early 1900s, this tells the tale of two young psychiatrists who meet and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alison Fable
human traces
never an easy read I enjoyed Faulks exploration of how people studied the workings of the mind in the past. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ros lucas
Ups and Downs
In parts this boook is brilliant and I couldnt put it down nut there was a lot of bits in it that were not nessecary and were quite boring this took the enjoyment out of the book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gee
Brilliant
I have to say, one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. Not only does it have a beautiful storyline, the intricate detail of psychology in the 19th century is brilliant. Read more
Published 4 months ago by thegirlinthesunglasses
Research Outweighs Characterisation
I enjoyed this novel but Faulks' research into the origins of psychoanalysis outweighs the limited attempts at characterisation. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Steve Morgan
Traces of a great book
First off, I must make clear my background - I am a mental health professional, with an interest in the history and development of psychiatry. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Shrinkwrap
One doctor to six hundred patients was a not abnormal ratio in the...
Human Traces, indeed. There are traces of human behaviour and human fatalities in this book, but it is a congested and strangely unsatisfying read. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Eileen Shaw
Author indulgence
Faulk's clearly has a great deal of interest in mental illness but , unlike the excellent Engleby and a recognisable psychotic, this book meanders around the early years of... Read more
Published 12 months ago by P. C. Langman
Fascinating book
I loved the book although can see the criticism about the length of the lectures would be right for many readers. Read more
Published 14 months ago by John Cook
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