Thanks to Melville House for having me on this blog tour. Do check out the other bloggers and bookstagrammers on this tour.
What's it about?
Look in the mirror – what do you see?
We all feel, instinctively, that self exists. That somewhere inside us, under the clothes, the make-up and self-tan, lurks a hard 'pearl', a kernel of truth called 'me'. And it's big business uncovering that 'authentic' kernel. It's also a fool's errand, because that 'true self'? It doesn't exist. Self is no more than a story we tell ourselves. It's mutable, pliable as Plasticine. Worse, it's not even strictly autobiographical, but co-authored with those around us. And as such, there is no one version, but myriad, and the number is growing as we are exposed to ever more connections.
We are already seeing the effects travel, television, and celebrity culture can have on the formation of self, but as digital and social media exposure grows, and in the advent of AI, what will happen to our sense of self? Can we become ever more multiple and adapt better to our globalised world? Or will we dissolve into narcissistic, detached 'nobodies'?
Review:
I've enjoyed others in this series so was keen to read this one. I constantly describe these as pocket sized gems and this is no exception. This is a good mix of theory, opinion and author experience. At only around 100 pages, this makes for quick reading without being too intense.
I think this could have been more definitive at times and did feel a bit non committal but I'll assume that's for the reader to make their own mind up. I did enjoy the personal touches to this from the author- I think I'll forever think of her as Anne Hathaway and believe that will definitely be OK with the author too. Topics such as social media make for thought provoking moments as well as celebrity culture. There is a lot packed in for such a short read.
If you fancy being challenged on yourself, this is well worth a read. Definitely one to get you thinking.
About the author:
Joanna Nadin is a former broadcast journalist and special adviser to the Prime Minister. Since leaving politics she’s written more than 90 books for children and adults, including the Carnegie-nominated Joe All Alone. She is now Associate Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Bristol, and has a PhD in the nature of self in relation to YA literature.
Out now.
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