by Susan Isaacs
First published 1970
The book presents fictional scenarios that illuminate psychological development theories through character studies. Isaacs creates situations where individuals confront formative experiences that shape their mental processes. The narratives examine how early relationships influence later psychological patterns. Characters navigate conflicts between conscious desires and unconscious drives. The stories reveal how defense mechanisms emerge during emotional stress. Isaacs shows psychological concepts through concrete human situations rather than abstract theory. The work demonstrates how psychoanalytic insights apply to everyday experiences and relationships.
Genres: fiction, psychology, 20th-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, psychological-exploration
Period: 20th-Century
368 pages · Hardcover · Chatto and Windus / The Hogarth Press