In his earlier acclaimed novels, Craig Holden created a thrilling vision of America that was at once lyrical and dark. Now, with The Narcissist's Daughter, he expands that vision in his most accomplished and controversial work to date, a drama about the collision between two families, both riddled with desires but from opposite sides of the tracks. From the outside the Kesslers appear to have it all: Dr. Ted Kessler is a decorated veteran who now runs the lab at a large medical center. He and his wife, Joyce, live with their daughter, Jessi, in a beautiful house in the estate section of an Ohio city in the 1970s. Ted is widely respected as a clinician, researcher, manager, and businessman. But when he resolves to mentor an ambitious working-class student, this idyllic little world is threatened. Syd Redding, the gruff, streetwise narrator of The Narcissist's Daughter, has no plan in mind for the Kesslers. He's a bored pre-med student with few prospects, a failure for a stepfather, and a sister who seems to be following his example. Soon after he meets Kessler's wife and daughter, he finds himself ensnared in the secret machinations of this magnetic family on the brink of unraveling. The Narcissist's Daughter is the compulsively readable and suspenseful story of a simple affair that blossoms into obsession, exploitation, and finally, a passion for revenge that threatens to ruin the lives of everyone involved.
The first book specifically for daughters suffering from the emotional abuse of selfish, self-involved mothers,Will I Ever Be Good Enough?provides the expert assistance you need in order to overcome this debilitating history and reclaim your life for yourself. Drawing on over two decades of experience as a therapist specializing in women's psychology and health, psychotherapist Dr. Karyl McBride helpsyou recognize the widespread effects of this maternal emotional abuse and guides you as you create an individualized program for self-protection, resolution, and complete recovery.An estimated 1.5 million American women have narcissistic personality disorder, which makes them so insecure and overbearing, insensitive and domineering that they can psychologically damage their daughters for life. Daughters of narcissistic mothers learn that maternal love is not unconditional, and that it is given only when they behave in accordance with their mothers' often unreasonable expectations and whims. As adults, these daughters consequently have difficulty overcoming their insecurities and feelings of inadequacy, disappointment, sadness, and emotional emptiness. They may also have a terrible fear of abandonment that leads them to form unhealthy love relationships, as well as a tendency to perfectionism and unrelenting self-criticism, or to self-sabotage and frustration.Herself the recovering daughter of a narcissistic mother, Dr. McBride includes her personal struggle, which adds a profound level of authority to her work, along with the perspectives of the hundreds of suffering daughters she's interviewed over the years. Their stories of how maternal abuse has manifested in their lives -- as well as how they have successfully overcome its effects -- show you that you're not alone and that you can take back your life and have the controlyouwant.Dr. McBride's step-by-step program will enable you to:(1) Recognize your own experience with maternal narcissism and its effects on all aspects of your life (2) Discover how you have internalized verbal and nonverbal messages from your mother and how these have translated into a strong desire to overachieve or a tendency to self-sabotage (3) Construct a step-by-step program to reclaim your life and enhance your sense of self, a process that includes creating a psychological separation from your mother and breaking the legacy of abuse. You will also learn how not to repeat your mother's mistakes with your own daughter.Warm and sympathetic, filled with the examples of women who have established healthy boundaries with their hurtful mothers,Will I Ever Be Good Enough?encourages and inspires you as it aids your recovery.
Jody Horowitz grew up in an upscale community outside Boston with her narcissistic mother, her passive father, and her snooty older sister. Breaking any of Mother's multiple rules meant enduring verbal lashings and comparisons to her "perfect" sister. Jody acquiesces in practice, if not in spirit, starting with Rule # 1: Marry a Well-Off Jewish Man. Have his baby. Which she does. But Jody, now 33, with a one-year-old daughter, learns that her "well-off-enough Jewish man" has been screwing a shiksa, and Mother suggests that in order to fix her marriage, Jody "wear more lingerie." Instead, Jody kicks the cheater out, recovers her life with her work, her daughter and their dog....and, despite Rule #1, falls for a kind Italian Catholic widower. Their love affair leads her to expedite her divorce, despite the risk of losing not only the only family she has ever known, but future shares of the family's fortune. Is this worth it, to be with a partner who has a big heart--but a thin wallet? Her new man seems well worth it, and Jody seems truly happy for the first time in a long time...despite the secret she must keep from him, and the secret she finds out about him. With her loving Bubbe's support, she resolves to finally emerge from her mother's narcissism--and shatter all rules so she can be true to herself, her daughter, and her new man. This decision unravels her soul and leads to a dramatic personal breakdown that stretches from Boston to California to Maine, which even her best friend Ruthie can't fix for Jody this time. By the start of a highly-charged family reunion, Jody must summon the courage to proclaim her allegiance to her man, not be a pawn to her family, and be a positive role-model for her daughter. To everyone's surprise, a third choice, amid a tumultuous night of secret-revealing, comes to light. Will Jody remain mired in Mother's manipulation or freed from a lifetime of controlling, narcissistic influences? And how will her young daughter fare from the family mishegas that threatens to consume them? Can love and intimacy guide Jody's exodus, or is the grip of the past too powerful to overcome? With suspense, humor, romance, a compelling plot, and a Yiddish glossary, this novel grips the reader from start to finish--whether or not they understand the enormous challenges that the daughter of a narcissistic mother must overcome in order to become her own person. Those who do understand, or have lived with a self-absorbed or narcissistic mother, will see themselves in Jody--and cheer her on all the way to her final decision.
Daughter of Narcissus is a stunning analysis by Lady Colin of her own dysfunctional family positioned at the heart of upper class Jamaican society from the middle of the 20th century to the present day. Covering the end of the British Colonial Age and the rise of a liberated generation, whilst addressing the narcissistic personality of her mother, the author brilliantly interconnects the sociological, political and personal. As she dissects the family dynamics lying beneath the appearance of wealth and power, Lady Colin's understanding of personality disorder is revelatory: compelling the reader to comprehend the destructive and tragic reality concealed by rational language and behaviour. Set against a backdrop of glamour, wealth and fame, this compulsive book is both a fascinating history of one socially prominent family, and a uniquely detailed analysis of narcissism, its manifestations and how to survive them in order to lead a purposeful and affirming life.
A highly illuminating examination of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and its insidiously traumatic impact on family members and partners. Packed with insight, compassion, and practical strategies for recovery, this is a must-read for survivors and clinicians alike. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) has a profoundly dehumanizing effect on those subject to its distortions, manipulations, and rage. The Narcissist in Your Life illuminates the emotionally annihilating experience of narcissistic abuse in families and relationships, acknowledges the complex emotional and physical trauma that results, and assists survivors with compassionate, practical advice on the path of recovery. Whether you are just learning about NPD, managing a narcissistic parent or other family member, leaving a narcissistic relationship, or struggling with complex PTSD, you will find life-changing answers to these common questions: What are the different forms of NPD? Is my partner a narcissist? Why do I keep attracting narcissistic personalities? How can I help my kids? What happens in a narcissistic family? Why did my other parent go along with the abuse? Why am I alienated from my siblings? Why is it so hard to believe in myself and my future? What is complex PTSD and do I have it? What are the health problems associated with narcissistic abuse? Journalist, survivor, and NPD trauma coach Julie L. Hall provides a comprehensive, up-to-date, affirming, and accessible guide that will not only help you understand narcissistic abuse trauma, but will help you overcome trauma cycles and move forward with healing.
You are about to Learn How to Stop Your Mother's Manipulative Strategies in Their Tracts to Have Your Life, Peace Of Mind And Sanity Back! There are mothers, in the traditional sense of the word "mother", who would do anything for their children, irrespective of whether they are young or old with families of their own. And then there are narcissistic mothers, who are the complete opposite of 'traditional mothers'; lying, manipulative, always wanting to get their way, always striving to become the center of attention, always turning things around to be about them, never apologetic, never taking responsibility and much more. If your mother falls in the 2nd category, you know just how tiring, helpless and thankless your relationship with her can get. And the guilt and sense of obligation you may feel as an adult child could literally drive you nuts, as you feel the need to keep everything secret and maintain the rosy image that your narcissistic mother has held for years! Where do you even start? You probably have lots of questions... What goes on in her mind to want to unleash her manipulative tactics on you? How can you spot her manipulative and narcissistic strategies from getting through to you? How can you build a relationship with your mother when she just seems like she is out to annoy you on purpose, oppose you for the sake of it and just never offer any help like other 'normal' mothers do? How can you heal from the trauma and abuse that she has brought on you throughout the years? When do you decide enough is enough and develop the courage to cut ties with your mother, even if it hurts you deeply? If you have these and other related questions, this book seeks to answer them all so keep reading, as it covers the ins and outs of turning a new leaf in your life as you deal with your narcissistic mother. More precisely, the book covers: The basics about narcissistic personality disorder, including what it looks like so that you can spot it, the causes as well as the different remedies for narcissistic personality disorder How narcissistic tendencies manifest in mothers, so that you can tell whether your mother is truly narcissistic The different types of narcissistic mothers How a narcissistic mother especially affects her daughters through her tendencies The effects of being raised by a narcissistic parent, including how manipulation occurs, how a narcissistic parent influences your mindset, your emotional balance, self-discipline and other facets of your life The tools that your narcissistic mother may have been using on you to gain control, including how to spot these tools in action and take action How to develop the courage to cut ties with your mother and start healing And much more Being brought up by such a mother can literally alter your view of the role of parents, and mothers in particular. It can make you hate to be a parent; because you don't want to make your children to go through the pain you went through. And even if you become a parent, it can be hard to know how to parent your children; because you have nothing to guide you on how to parent your children properly. Lucky for you, this book takes an easy to follow, step by step approach to help you end the manipulation and mind games that your narcissistic mother or any member of your family has been playing on you. Don't wait any longer... Click Buy Now With 1-Click or Buy Now to get started!
Susan is forty-seven, and her life is beginning to fall apart--but that might end up being the best thing that's ever happened to her. Born to a narcissistic mother, Susan quickly learned to be accommodating and to repress her feelings. Even though her mother died when Susan was fourteen, the legacy of manipulation lived on, and, not surprisingly, she eventually found herself married to a narcissistic man. But then something finally wakes her up to her needlessly limited existence and she begins to yearn for more. Memoir of a Narcissist's Daughter is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a woman who's a master at enabling and a novice at living. Written in diary form, this book recounts Susan's personal pilgrimage to discover her sense of self and her inherent value as an individual rather than an appendage to someone else. As she fills the pages of her diaries with the events of her past and present life, Susan begins to recognize the steps she must take to free her future from the life-depleting entanglements that have held her back. What will freedom feel like?
A comprehensively revised and expanded new edition of Danu Morrigan's #1 bestselling book, which has helped tens of thousands of daughters of narcissistic mothers around the world.Do you find yourself emotionally bruised, upset and confused after being in touch with your mother? Do you somehow feel like you're not a real person in her company? If so, you are far from alone. Millions of daughters experience the samehall-of-mirrors dizziness. Many of them have come to the conclusion that their mother has Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and that explains all that they have suffered. This book explores this - maybe it will resonate for you the same way and make you feel understood and validated as never before.This new edition includes a wealth of new insight and understanding learned by Danu over the last ten years, including: Clarity about escaping the toxic dynamic, through The Four Steps to Freedom; managing our fear of regretting our decisions; how Stories steer us without us realising; the NM's performative kindness and performative love; overcoming the trap of The Silent Treatment; distinguishing narcissistic 'niceness' from genuine decency; how to recognise, get, and contribute to healthy relationships.
Outlines simple, counterintuitive approaches to raising happy, healthy, and successful children through parental demonstrations of respectful examples and child-directed activities that facilitate early independence and problem-solving skills.
The complex, deeply binding relationship between mothers and daughters is brought vividly to life in Katie Hafner’s remarkable memoir, an exploration of the year she and her mother, Helen, spent working through, and triumphing over, a lifetime of unresolved emotions. Dreaming of a “year in Provence” with her mother, Katie urges Helen to move to San Francisco to live with her and Zoë, Katie’s teenage daughter. Katie and Zoë had become a mother-daughter team, strong enough, Katie thought, to absorb the arrival of a seventy-seven-year-old woman set in her ways. Filled with fairy-tale hope that she and her mother would become friends, and that Helen would grow close to her exceptional granddaughter, Katie embarked on an experiment in intergenerational living that she would soon discover was filled with land mines: memories of her parents’ painful divorce, of her mother’s drinking, of dislocating moves back and forth across the country, and of Katie’s own widowhood and bumpy recovery. Helen, for her part, was also holding difficult issues at bay. How these three women from such different generations learn to navigate their challenging, turbulent, and ultimately healing journey together makes for riveting reading. By turns heartbreaking and funny—and always insightful—Katie Hafner’s brave and loving book answers questions about the universal truths of family that are central to the lives of so many. Praise for Mother Daughter Me “The most raw, honest and engaging memoir I’ve read in a long time.”—KJ Dell’Antonia, The New York Times “A brilliant, funny, poignant, and wrenching story of three generations under one roof, unlike anything I have ever read.”—Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone “Weaving past with present, anecdote with analysis, [Katie] Hafner’s riveting account of multigenerational living and mother-daughter frictions, of love and forgiveness, is devoid of self-pity and unafraid of self-blame. . . . [Hafner is] a bright—and appealing—heroine.”—Cathi Hanauer, Elle “[A] frank and searching account . . . Currents of grief, guilt, longing and forgiveness flow through the compelling narrative.”—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle “A touching saga that shines . . . We see how years-old unresolved emotions manifest.”—Lindsay Deutsch, USA Today “[Hafner’s] memoir shines a light on nurturing deficits repeated through generations and will lead many readers to relive their own struggles with forgiveness.”—Erica Jong, People “An unusually graceful story, one that balances honesty and tact . . . Hafner narrates the events so adeptly that they feel enlightening.”—Harper’s “Heartbreakingly honest, yet not without hope and flashes of wry humor.”—Kirkus Reviews “[An] emotionally raw memoir examining the delicate, inevitable shift from dependence to independence and back again.”—O: The Oprah Magazine (Ten Titles to Pick Up Now) “Scrap any romantic ideas about what goes on when a 40-something woman invites her mother to live with her and her teenage daughter for a year. As Hafner hilariously and touchingly tells it, being the center of a family sandwich is, well, complicated.”—Parade
