Synopses & Reviews
In this uniquely brilliant and insightful book, acclaimed essayist and psychoanalyst Adam Phillips meditates on the notion of escape in our society and in ourselves.
No one can escape the desire and need to escape. By analyzing four examples of escape artists a young girl who hides from others by closing her eyes; a grown man incapable of a relationship; Emily Dickinson, recluse extraordinaire; and Harry Houdini, the quintessential master of escape Phillips enables readers to identify the escape artists lurking within themselves. Lucid, erudite, and audacious, Houdini's Box is another scintillating and seminal work by one of the world's most dazzlingly original thinkers.
Review
"Provocative, smoothly written....A pleasure to read." The Washington Post
Review
"A rare achievement as remarkable a piece of tightrope walking as Houdini ever performed himself." London Daily Telegraph
Review
"Illuminating and intriguing." BookPage
Review
"Fascinating." Entertainment Weekly
Synopsis
In this insightful book, acclaimed essayist and psychoanalyst Phillips meditates on the notion of escape in society and in the self. By analyzing four examples of escape artists, Phillips enables readers to identify the escape artists lurking within themselves.
Synopsis
In this uniquely brilliant and insightful book, an acclaimed essayist and psychoanalyst analyzes four escape artists--including Harry Houdini and Emily Dickinson--to meditate on the notion of escape in our society and in ourselves.
Provocative ... lucid and engaging ... a pleasure to read. --The Washington Post
No one can escape the desire and need to escape. By analyzing four examples of escape artists--a young girl who hides from others by closing her eyes; a grown man incapable of a relationship; Emily Dickinson, recluse extraordinaire; and Harry Houdini, the quintessential master of escape--Phillips enables readers to identify the escape artists lurking within themselves. Lucid, erudite, and audacious, Houdini's Box is another scintillating and seminal work by one of the world's most dazzlingly original thinkers.
About the Author
Adam Phillips is the author of Winnicott; On Kissing, Tickling, and Being Bored; On Flirtation; Terrors and Experts; Monogamy; The Beast in the Nursery; Darwins Worms; and Promises, Promises. Formerly the principal child psychotherapist at Charing Cross Hospital in London, he lives in England.