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First Person Plural: My Life As a Mutilple

First Person Plural: My Life As a Mutilple

List Price: $7.50
Your Price: $6.75
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A facinating memoir
Review: This book is one i wanted to read for research on a novel I've had in progress for a while now. Cameron West tells his story, first-hand, of the onset of his Dissociative Identiy Disorder. Shocking, disturbing, upsetting, facinating, so many adjectives to describe it. West recounts how his wife of several years reacted to his multiplicity, how they raised their small son after the DID-onset, the harrowing details of several hospitalizations, and how, in the midst of it all, he managed to get his PhD in psychology.

A couple of caveats: West is not the best writer. The book is peppered with inspired and creative metaphors/similes (another reviewer hated them, but i found them fun--evidence of West's silly nature sometimes), but the actual style is a bit kludgy (and this shouldn't be written off as "oh, well, he's a multiple, what do you expect;" i blame his editor). There are also some subjects that he only barely touches on that I, as a reader, wanted to know more about--he talks a lot about denial, but doesn't ever analyze his initial denials of his multiplicity to any extent (this, i think you can blame on his condition, probably). He mentions a visit to an inept therapist inexperienced in dealing with multiples, but doesn't talk much about the repercussions of it, it's just presented and moved-on-from. He also presents a number of scenes in his wife's life that he simply wasn't present for, and it's hard to buy his narrative voice in those sections. I think the book would have benefited from a secondary author--large sections in his own words, with third-person sections as well--a second, cohesive, structural voice. (No joking here--after reading the book, i think he probably should have collaborated with the alter-personality he refers to as Per.)

If you are skeptical about the validity of the disorder, this book probably won't convince you--it's not written as a justification of the "reality" of the condition. It's a memoir.

All in all, an interesting book and a great resource for first-hand experience with the onset of a disorder most ppl know very little about, or have tons of misconceptions about.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One too many
Review: I was whisked away into the life of Cameron West. His discovery of the DID he lived with, was devastating to both he and his family. As the disorder unveiled itself Cameron became more child-like and unable to function as a productive adult. Cameron drew me into this life of hurt and frightened alters, in an understandable caring manner. I was able to understand the need to control the young alters around his son. It must have been frightening for the child.

Cameron was blessed with Rikki's understanding of his illness. A point that can not be over looked in his recovery process. Rikki would talk to Davy, a 4 year old alter without getting upset. This was admirable. Her role in Cameron's recovery was important, and a good model for other spouses faced with a similar problem of living with a loved one struggling with DID.

He depicted his alters in a believable functioning way. It was clear to me what purpose each alter served. Cameron's first therapist Arly Morelli was instrumental in Cameron's journey to recovery. She included Rikki when necessary, in therapy and helped her work with Cameron and his alters. Unlike other mental illnesses, DID seems to require a great deal of the therapist's time and those who live with the patient. Especially as the personalities emerge. I was amazed how hard everyone worked to stabilize Cameron.
I think The love between Cameron, Rikki and Kyle kept my interest. I wanted Cameron to succeed. This was a warm and touching book of love and understanding within a family unit, and the importance of professional support.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: First Person Plural: My Life As A Multiple
Review: I read this book about two months ago for a psychology book report that I had to do. It was amazing! Dissociative Identity Disorder is very complex and hard to understand for those of us who do not experience it first hand, either by having it or through a close family member who has it. Cameron West tells the incredible story of his struggle with DID in a way that truly helps the reader to gain a better understanding of what life is like with this disorder. It really was a book that I couldn't put down and since reading it, I've recomended it to a lot of people.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Has not altered (no pun intended) my skepticism
Review: First, this is one of the most horribly written books that I have ever read. The author never saw a simile that he did not like, no matter how contrived and absurd. (E.g. "her eyes were all Monte Carlo; as sharp as the creases in a gambler's pants".) At first I just stopped and rolled my eyes; later I would call a friend and read these absurdly dramatic excerpts so we could both laugh.

A friend suggested that I read this book when I expressed skepticism concerning MPD or DID, whatever name is assigned to the condition. This book did nothing to change my view. On the contrary, as other reviewers have noted, there is nothing to back up his claims that his "alters" were created at time(s) of alleged molestation by several people. Nor is there any explanation for why these alters waited to show themselves until his late 30's, coincidentally when he stopped his endless suffering from a sinus condition which also made him the center of attention within his family. A little odd that a random pscychologist in a small town diagnosed him, yet he has trouble finding one to "support" his diagnosis when he moves to the San Francisco Bay Area.

There is little to no discussion of any credible supporting evidence for the "causes" of his personalities; any mother would be upset when her always attention-seeking son claimed she abused him. His brother confirms nothing. Nor is there any explanation for the adult alters. The others supposedly emerged to shield him from abuse; what about the older ones? Surely, given their natures as womanizer or sage elder they couldn't have been "created" by the mind of a small child.

Don't get me wrong. This guy has some severe psychological problems. But I don't buy the DID. It seems more like hype to sell the book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: I had to read a book for psychology class in school over the summer. Everybody hates having books assigned that they have to read, but I was able to select a book of my choice. First Person Plural came highly recommended.

I think that it is absolutely amazing how a person can endure so much and still be so successful. I couldn't even imagine having to live with other "alters" having so much power and control over my mind and body. Reading this story gives one an idea of the extraordinary power of our mind and it's ability to work to protect itself.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Grips you hard and doesn't let go
Review: Dealing with multiple personality disorder and the struggles of a man and his wife to come to grips with it. I honestly loved this book. More than anything I liked getting to know the personalities instead of glossing over them like a lot of the books out there do. I can read this on over and over and not get bored with it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a true experience
Review: First person plural has an amazing strength about it. In first purchasing the novel, I was unsure how such a book would effect me, but as i started to read this i found that i couldn't wait for a moment to myself and my new friend. The way Cameron West describes his alters had me drawn in such a way that i could not bare to put this one down. The passion he has show his wife and son and the alters is riveting. Never in my life, have i been more commited to finishing a book than i have with First Person Plural. This was easy to read as Cameron West has made us all a part of this book through his descriptive and emotional masterpiece. I can truelly say that this book is by far the best i have ever read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WONDERFUL!!!!
Review: I'm only 17 years old, and don't really read all that much. When one of my friends told me about this book I had to read it. I couldn't put it down. It will make you cry, giggle, and praise Dr. West for getting through a life changing time.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Misleading
Review: I was mislead by the four and 1/2 star rating this book has as it is very poorly written and lacks any substance. It is filled mostly with uninteresting chatter amongst the personalities and a kind of day to day diary of conversations between all his alters and only vague references of what happened to this person in his past. This is certainly nothing like the story of 'Sybil'.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very vivid
Review: A very touching story, very vivid, and very informative about MPDID and abuse. The writing is artless: clear, and straight from the heart.


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