A powerful and compelling memoir.
Today I'm Alice
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Review
'Alice's book, Today I'm Alice, is a compelling account of the strategies she has used to survive more than two decades of grotesque sexual, physical and emotional harm... Her book tells this story in the manner of a curtain being drawn back.'
-- Times Online
'This isn't a misery memoir, but an account of mental illness that's so beautifully written it reminded me of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. Jamieson survived 100 overdoses, alcoholism and cocaine addiction to find love with a church warden. You won't be able to get her story out of your head.' -- London Lite
'an intelligent, first hand account of mental illness, written by a remarkable woman still learning to live with herself.'
-- Financial Times
-- Times Online
'This isn't a misery memoir, but an account of mental illness that's so beautifully written it reminded me of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. Jamieson survived 100 overdoses, alcoholism and cocaine addiction to find love with a church warden. You won't be able to get her story out of your head.' -- London Lite
'an intelligent, first hand account of mental illness, written by a remarkable woman still learning to live with herself.'
-- Financial Times
Review
'Alice's book, Today I'm Alice, is a compelling account of the strategies she has used to survive more than two decades of grotesque sexual, physical and emotional harm... Her book tells this story in the manner of a curtain being drawn back.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. A. J. D. White
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I am really struggling with what to write as a review for this novel, I finished it nearly a week ago and have sat down to review it half a dozen times and failed each time....
The novel itself is amazingly well written, its humorous and tragic, thought provoking and terrifying. But at the same time I felt that I couldn't really connect with Alice, in some ways I think the disconnect was the horror of what had happened to her and simple manner of fact description of the sexual abuse, which I found in no way prurient or sensationalistic. In some ways the descriptions where to clinical/dispassionate for me, I found many other parts of the novel to be far more emotional such as the descriptions of her travelling and her relationship with her grandfather and mother.
Reading other reviews I have seen many mentions of 'misery memoir' and feel that isn't a label I would apply to this book, in no way does the author dwell on her pain or suffering (although it often mentioned) that isn't the focus of this novel, that was her mental health problems and her relationship(s) with the NHS and various health professionals, which is where my biggest criticism of the novel comes in, I wish a little bit more time had been spent on this and the book had investigated how and why she reacted to the various professionals in the manner she did. I don't mean this as a criticism of her actions but more to enlighten as to the problems she faced and how she thought/thinks things might be improved.
At the end of the day this is a horrific tale of the struggle of a girl/woman to come to terms with what was done to her, its her personal tale and not a case study / medical text book. My heart goes out to Alice, which is how I would expect any reader of this book to react.
The novel itself is amazingly well written, its humorous and tragic, thought provoking and terrifying. But at the same time I felt that I couldn't really connect with Alice, in some ways I think the disconnect was the horror of what had happened to her and simple manner of fact description of the sexual abuse, which I found in no way prurient or sensationalistic. In some ways the descriptions where to clinical/dispassionate for me, I found many other parts of the novel to be far more emotional such as the descriptions of her travelling and her relationship with her grandfather and mother.
Reading other reviews I have seen many mentions of 'misery memoir' and feel that isn't a label I would apply to this book, in no way does the author dwell on her pain or suffering (although it often mentioned) that isn't the focus of this novel, that was her mental health problems and her relationship(s) with the NHS and various health professionals, which is where my biggest criticism of the novel comes in, I wish a little bit more time had been spent on this and the book had investigated how and why she reacted to the various professionals in the manner she did. I don't mean this as a criticism of her actions but more to enlighten as to the problems she faced and how she thought/thinks things might be improved.
At the end of the day this is a horrific tale of the struggle of a girl/woman to come to terms with what was done to her, its her personal tale and not a case study / medical text book. My heart goes out to Alice, which is how I would expect any reader of this book to react.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By K. Wright
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Reading the title of Alice Jamieson's book, "Today I'm Alice: A memoir of multiple personality disorder," I thought that this book would focus mainly on MPD. However after reading Alice's story, mainly centred around sexual, physical and emotional abuse, I have realised that MPD is a coping mechanism Alice developed from the age of 2 to protect her from the pain of the abuse she suffered in the hands of her father, which lasted throughout her childhood years. Jamieson along with Clifford Thurlow sensitively explore Alice's life from horrendous suffering to self-harm, alcohol and drug addiction to finding love.
Although this book would be in the category of "tragic life stories," Alice does not seek symapthy or focus on her suffering but explains her memories simply, clearly and in a matter-of-fact way. From reading this book I have a clearer view of MPD and mental illness and I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in the subject or who would like to read a powerful story of struggle and survival.
Although this book would be in the category of "tragic life stories," Alice does not seek symapthy or focus on her suffering but explains her memories simply, clearly and in a matter-of-fact way. From reading this book I have a clearer view of MPD and mental illness and I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in the subject or who would like to read a powerful story of struggle and survival.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has to be one of the most brutally honest memoirs I have ever read. The author reveals her experiences of the most degrading and horrific abuse possible, and for that reason deserves credit for baring all. No, this book is not for everyone, but in response to the poor reviews given in light of the author's explicit description of her abuse, a note appears at the front of the book warning of the graphic and disturbing content!! So, if you would rather not read about the awful nature of the author's abuse - don't pick the book up!! Also, bear in mind that this is not a psychology text book, it is a memoir! So, if you are interested in reading about a patient's experiences rather than reading solely about dissociative identity disorder, then I think you will struggle to find a more intimate account.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Draws you in and kicks you around
This book lets you in on something you couldn't possibly imagine. The horror and desire to help overwhelmed me at times - I just wanted to pick Alice/Alice 2/kato/Shirley/billy etc... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mommy of H
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
i will repeat: this book is a great read for all grown ups... amasing experience to read something of this sort... highly recommended for anyone in helping profesions
Published 3 months ago by pera
5.0 out of 5 stars
Today I am Alice
A truly heartbreaker account of one young women's journey following childhood sexual abuse. It will make you cry and marvel at human endurance.
Published 3 months ago by julie knowles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alice's Life
I think this is a beautifully written book which explores her journey step by step as she did herself. Read more
Published 7 months ago by woopaaaa!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Raw, powerful & moving.
Alice is a remarkable woman, a true inspiration. I was immediately hooked and enjoyed following her staggering journey; an account which is consistently insightful, honest &... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mrs F
4.0 out of 5 stars
Both engrossing and painful to read
This book is a personal story by a woman diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder after a childhood of extreme ongoing abuse and many years of instability and mental health... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Candycanandco
4.0 out of 5 stars
Remarkable Woman. Remarkable Read.
As someone working with vulnerable children and young people, I have a real interest in reading the memoirs of those who have experienced and suffered from abuse. Read more
Published 21 months ago by EvieReader
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written but very sad
I bought this book because I find DID really fascinating; how it operates and what it can teach us about the human mind. Read more
Published on 6 April 2011 by Missy
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing
I did not enjoy reading this book. It was quite disturbing and terribly sad.
It follows Alice, who was abused as a child and went on to develop severe personality... Read more
It follows Alice, who was abused as a child and went on to develop severe personality... Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2011 by Smallvillenews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read
Today I'm Alice tells the story of Alice Jamieson, who was abused as a child and went on to develop multiple personality disorder. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2011 by Tor
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