The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self

Dec 2008 · Sold by Basic Books

About this ebook

This “rare and compelling” (New York Magazine) bestseller examines childhood trauma and the enduring effects it has on an individual's management of repressed anger and pain.

Why are many of the most successful people plagued by feelings of emptiness and alienation? This wise and profound book has provided millions of readers with an answer—and has helped them to apply it to their own lives.

Far too many of us had to learn as children to hide our own feelings, needs, and memories skillfully in order to meet our parents' expectations and win their "love." Alice Miller writes, "When I used the word 'gifted' in the title, I had in mind neither children who receive high grades in school nor children talented in a special way. I simply meant all of us who have survived an abusive childhood thanks to an ability to adapt even to unspeakable cruelty by becoming numb.... Without this 'gift' offered us by nature, we would not have survived." But merely surviving is not enough. The Drama of the Gifted Child helps us to reclaim our life by discovering our own crucial needs and our own truth.

Ratings and reviews

The author's perspective is interesting and makes for a good addition to a collection of lenses for reasoning through emotions. The writing is a bit difficult to follow at times, but the effort is well worth it.

This book helped me better understand my parents and myself. I definitely recommend it! In addition to learning more about your own personal life, it is also a great read for anyone trying to understand certain oppressive people/systems (especially Trump supporters). (Beware, however, the, in my opinion, incomplete and/or simply incorrect ideas about certain aspects of sexuality)

This book helped explain how all experiences from childhood mold us as we grow. Highly recommend if you've had trauma or want to understand someone that's had trauma.

About the author

Alice Miller (1923-2010) achieved worldwide recognition for her work on the causes and effects of childhood traumas. She was also the author of many books, including The Truth Will Set You Free, Banished Knowledge, Breaking Down the Wall of Silence, Thou Shalt Not Be Aware, and For Your Own Good.