`Being a Character explores the subject of self-knowledge and the individuals' construction of meaning in their lives. It is always stimulating, particularly through the author's use of his own self-experience. This book is well worth reading by anyone involved in psychotherapy or related work. Indeed, it could fruitfully be read by a much wider audience.' - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy`... enlightening, challenging and thought-provoking read ...' - British Jrnl of Psychiatry`Here again is that man who is a psychoanalyst and does not write like a psychoanalyst; i.e. who miraculously avoids being boring, dogmatic, pedantic ...' - Andre Green, M.D.`Being a Character will delight all those already aquainted with Christopher Bollas's earlier work and will open up new vistas for all those who would penetrate further into the unique quality and vital difference that distinguish one individual from another ... this book will be read by clinicians, theoreticians, and educated laymen with equal fascination and reward.' - Joyce McDougall`It is a joy to read a book where one is happy to read a paragraph or a page over and over again because of the wealth of meaning that comes with each reading. Everyone who is interested in what happens in the space between and within people should read it.' - Counselling

• Introduction. Part I:Aspects of Self Experiencing. The Evocative Object. Being a Character. Psychic Genera. The Psychoanalyst's Use of Free Association. Part II:Cutting. Cruising in the Homosexual Arena. Violent Innocence. The Fascist State of Mind. Contents. Why Oedipus? Generational Conciousness. References. Index.

`Being a Character explores the subject of self-knowledge and the individuals' construction of meaning in their lives. It is always stimulating, particularly through the author's use of his own self-experience. This book is well worth reading by anyone involved in psychotherapy or related work. Indeed, it could fruitfully be read by a much wider audience.' - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy`... enlightening, challenging and thought-provoking read ...' - British Jrnl of Psychiatry`Here again is that man who is a psychoanalyst and does not write like a psychoanalyst; i.e. who miraculously avoids being boring, dogmatic, pedantic ...' - Andre Green, M.D.`Being a Character will delight all those already aquainted with Christopher Bollas's earlier work and will open up new vistas for all those who would penetrate further into the unique quality and vital difference that distinguish one individual from another ... this book will be read by clinicians, theoreticians, and educated laymen with equal fascination and reward.' - Joyce McDougall`It is a joy to read a book where one is happy to read a paragraph or a page over and over again because of the wealth of meaning that comes with each reading. Everyone who is interested in what happens in the space between and within people should read it.' - Counselling

• Introduction. Part I:Aspects of Self Experiencing. The Evocative Object. Being a Character. Psychic Genera. The Psychoanalyst's Use of Free Association. Part II:Cutting. Cruising in the Homosexual Arena. Violent Innocence. The Fascist State of Mind. Contents. Why Oedipus? Generational Conciousness. References. Index.