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A review by lilyrooke
The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power by Katherine Morgan Schafler
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I truly can't recommend this book highly enough. Written by a psychotherapist, The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control reframes perfectionism as something much more insidious than quirky, providing a deep dive into five different subtypes while questioning the elusive concept of 'finding balance' through a gently anti-capitalist/patriarchal lens.
The author draws on a lot of stories, all with female clients, so the language sometimes feels less inclusive than it could have been, although the author does make the point in a footnote that this is for brevity and convenience, so I think if cis male or other trans spec readers went into the book with this mindset they would gain just as much. I respect that the author took the approach of staying in her lane and recommended other texts where appropriate.
Personally, I felt the blurb sells the book as something a little more pop culture-y than it actually is on the page. I would encourage readers who identify with the extreme struggles detailed in the book to work through their insight and growth with the support of a therapist. I felt like this was more an accessible academic text, rather than an easy self-help beach read.
If you're in the right place at the right time in your mental health journey, I have no doubt this book will offer a great deal of healing. I have definitely felt a change, like the things I've been working towards over many years alone and with intense therapy for twelve months have crystalised with the help of this book. I want to re-read it regularly, and I intend to purchase my own copy as soon as possible. Bring on the tears and 'sudden' moments of clarity and understanding.
disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from Penguin Group Portfolio via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
The author draws on a lot of stories, all with female clients, so the language sometimes feels less inclusive than it could have been, although the author does make the point in a footnote that this is for brevity and convenience, so I think if cis male or other trans spec readers went into the book with this mindset they would gain just as much. I respect that the author took the approach of staying in her lane and recommended other texts where appropriate.
Personally, I felt the blurb sells the book as something a little more pop culture-y than it actually is on the page. I would encourage readers who identify with the extreme struggles detailed in the book to work through their insight and growth with the support of a therapist. I felt like this was more an accessible academic text, rather than an easy self-help beach read.
If you're in the right place at the right time in your mental health journey, I have no doubt this book will offer a great deal of healing. I have definitely felt a change, like the things I've been working towards over many years alone and with intense therapy for twelve months have crystalised with the help of this book. I want to re-read it regularly, and I intend to purchase my own copy as soon as possible. Bring on the tears and 'sudden' moments of clarity and understanding.
disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from Penguin Group Portfolio via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.