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Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.​  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

What connects a popular psychology book and a novel about psychosis?

29/1/2016

9 Comments

 
I hadn’t been reviewing for very long, when I was invited to contribute to the book recommendation site, Shiny New Books. Honoured as I was, I didn’t feel ready back then, but kept it in mind. After Victoria posted a lovely early review of Sugar and Snails on the site and hosted my guest post on writing about secrets, I resolved to keep an eye out for suitable books to review. I’m pleased to announce that my reviews of The Social Brain and Playthings were accepted for the latest edition so if you’re satisfied with the easy answer to my question you can go straight to the reviews by clicking on the images. But if you’d like to discover another connection, then read on.
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When I was studying psychology in the late 1970s, there was hardly an expression sweeter to my inquiring mind than “confederate of the experimenter”. These were the actors masquerading as research subjects without whom Milgram  would not have been able to show how willing people were to give others electric shocks if instructed to do so by an authority figure; Asch  that people will knowingly give the incorrect answer if others seem convinced it’s right and Schacter and Singer might not have discovered that, in the absence of other cues than autonomic arousal, people deduce their own emotional states from the behaviour of those around them.

The intervening years have witnessed a significant, and appropriate, tightening of
ethical guidelines whereby such levels of deception are virtually taboo. I wondered – albeit without following the field very closely – whether social psychology might become less exciting as a result. Psychology overall is open to criticism for shining a torch on what can be investigated rather than on what we need to know. I’m pleased to say that Richard Crisp’s highly accessible overview of recent research into cultural diversity has not only revitalised my interest in social psychology but is highly relevant to how we all live today. I touched on one of his papers in my recent post on Looking at difference, embracing diversity. The Social Brain develops those ideas in more depth and detail.

Playthings is the story of a man who wants to go home, but can’t. Paul Schreber is crippled by an illness he can’t understand; unluckily for him, the professionals tasked to help him don’t do much better. Based on the true story of a High Court judge who was the subject of one of Freud’s most important case studies, Alex Pheby’s second novel is a poignant and engaging exploration of a disturbed mind. As well as addressing the potential psychological causes, the author considers the potential sociocultural influences, including the rise of fascism.

And that, Dear Reader, takes me, particularly via
Adorno’s work on the authoritarian personality, to my own studies of social psychology, as well as those that have influenced Crisp. As The Social Brain also references Freud, there’s a third connection between these two books I’ve reviewed. (But don’t worry, I manage to avoid over linking in my reviews on Shiny.)

Furthermore, I don’t know about you, but I always read the
acknowledgements in a novel – oh look, another link, must be to mine! – mostly out of bog standard nosiness. But Alex Pheby’s was especially interesting. Is it an indictment of the creative writing industry or of publishing in general that the author should thank his publishers (Galley Beggar Press) for taking “the brave step of publishing this difficult book”? Difficult for whom, I wonder, certainly not for readers. This is rather too reminiscent of the strange case of the angry woman character.
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I hope you’ll agree that my reading year has got off to a great start with a dozen (mostly) great books reviewed so far. Click on the image to catch up with any you might have missed.



I’d planned to finish there but – great minds etc – it turns out that Charli Mills also has blogged this week about connections, with an invitation to write a 99-word story about how a community reaches out. Now, I appreciate my communities of fellow writers, and am pleased to join the community of Shiny book recommenders but, right now, my local music-making community is at the forefront of my mind. This weekend, I’ll be on a course to learn to sing Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis prior to a concert the following Saturday. I feel so lucky that, despite my imperfect pitch, I’m able to take part, all thanks to a truly amazing woman who, thirty-odd years ago, well before such things were in vogue, founded an organisation to make music that would be open to everyone. This isn’t quite how I joined them, but it does represent how grateful I am for the welcome I’ve had there.

The high notes battered my rib cage, a bird struggling to break free. How I admired them. How I envied them. Even the one who turned the page a beat behind the rest.

At the interval, I queued for tea between two of them. Blushing, like they were film stars, I confessed I was impressed.

“You should join us,” they said.

I shook my head. “Can’t read music. Can’t hold a tune.”

“Nonsense,” they said. “Everyone can sing.”

If I could stand among them, my voice mingling with theirs. Soaring to the vaulted ceiling. Like a flock of songbirds.

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
9 Comments
Sarah link
30/1/2016 01:25:49 am

Intriguing reviews. Also, nice guest post on Shiny New Books! And, to end it all on a lovely note...great flash. 💕

Reply
Sarah
30/1/2016 01:31:18 am

Having trouble with comments on here. I don't know if it posted or not. It's not showing up but it says it's a duplicate so I hope you get my first comment.

Reply
Annecdotist
1/2/2016 01:02:46 pm

Thanks, Sarah, and apologies my blog wasn't being very well mannered while I was out. As you see, your comments are there.

Reply
Charli Mills
31/1/2016 02:25:11 am

Great posts on Shiny, Anne! Your own blog has provided you practice to build a strong reviewers voice, a reflection found in your flash, as well. Yes, you are off to a strong year -- reading, reviewing, writing and soaring with your local songbirds! I had a similar experience a few nights ago. I've set out to create a community platform for writers in our rural area. I figured, if we can hub at Carrot Ranch, why not at the local library? There are pockets of groups around, but disconnected from one another. I attended a poetry open mic night and we have talented and emerging voices and lots in between. I took a deep breath, stood up and read flash fiction. A bit bold, given it's definitely not poetic. But I read among others and was actually surprised that they accepted me into their flock -- an off-key fictionalist among songbirds of poetry. But we experience community more deeply when we are not perfectly fitted to the group, I think. And that's what I take away from your flash, that sense of awe in those who are, yet a sense of belonging among them.

Reply
Annecdotist
1/2/2016 01:08:36 pm

Thanks, Charli, and well done for standing up for flash fiction. I think some of these flashes do come across like prose poems and they have that conciseness and search for the exact word in common with poetry. So glad they welcomed you into the fold.
On Saturday night I was exhausted after a whole day singing, so was glad of a quiet night with my book. But after looking at music all day, my brain did strange things with the letters on the page, trying to convert them into musical notes! I think that’s testament to how much of an effort it is for me, but I also think I’m learning and improving through taking part – just need to keep up with the personal practice before Saturday’s concert.

Reply
Norah Colvin link
6/2/2016 07:12:15 am

Love these reviews, Anne. Especially the Social Brain. I have already bought my audiobook copy. Thank you. Stepping into my non-fiction realm, how could I resist? I have just finished listening to a memoir, am now listening to a novel (which, sad to say, I'm not getting into at all) so will look forward to this one. Your review on Shiny New Books is rather compelling.
Your flash is great too - reminds me of a number of conversations we have had. Your character sounds more like me than you, except for the becoming a songbird part! :)
I'm very impressed at the reading you have done. I think you'll achieve your reading and reviewing goals easily.

Reply
Annecdotist
7/2/2016 11:47:27 am

I’m pleased you’ve managed to get an audiobook on The Social Brain, as I’d be really interesting what you think about what he has to say about education and diversity. I expect that’ll be my sole non-fiction review for the year! As for the targets, it’s more about keeping track, and not letting my TBR shelf get too much out of hand.
I did think of our discussions when I was composing my flash. What I didn’t remember at the time was going to listen to a friend taking part in a performance of Mozart’s Requiem and being filled with envy. I’d had some singing lessons at that point but my teacher wasn’t into classical and I didn’t imagine I’d ever be able to join in something of such a standard. I was so lucky that when I went along to a more basic come-and-sing choir (which, not reading music, I still found quite hard), I was taken under the wing of some more experienced singers who encouraged me to take part in the more ambitious events.
Rather poignant for me today, however, as, grounded by a stinking cold, I wasn’t able to join them yesterday for Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis – really gutted as I’d worked quite hard on it (although still unable to reach the point where my voice would actually be missed) and I loved the piece. If my cold had come along a day earlier I might at least have been with-it enough to go along and listen to the performance. A minor disappointment in the scheme of things and at least I was well enough to read another novel!

Reply
Jeanne Lombardo link
23/6/2017 04:05:59 pm

Having been analyzed these last 17 years by my psychologist husband, and having argued with him against the current focus of diversity initiatives (in that they often tend to focus on our differences than our commonalities) I appreciated your introduction to the Social Brain. Your comment on the authoritarian personality also pricked my interest...I took a personality assessment some time back on a site called PersonalDNA and came up as strongly authoritarian--what a shock--no doubt due to my Catholic upbringing (no time here to elucidate.) Finally, loved hearing about your singing group experience (though sad you missed it). I have thought for a long time that joining a choral group would be a great way to free something in me that feels locked in and participate in the arts, as well as find community. I loved to wail along with songs when I was younger...where did that go? Beautiful flash!

Reply
Annecdotist
26/6/2017 12:29:26 pm

Thanks, Jeanne. I’m not familiar with that personality assessment but might steer clear of it in case I come out as authoritarian too! But Catholic upbringings have a lot to answer for.
I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner but I’ve been on another singing workshop over the weekend which was extremely uplifting and I’d strongly recommend it to you. I enjoy the classical choral works the most although it’s rather weird as an atheist singing about the glory of God, but it does take me back to the undoubted beauty of the Latin mass as a child.

Reply



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