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  • Missing Out

  • In Praise of the Unlived Life
  • By: Adam Phillips
  • Narrated by: Simon Shepherd
  • Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (23 ratings)
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Missing Out cover art

Missing Out

By: Adam Phillips
Narrated by: Simon Shepherd
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Summary

We all have two lives - the life we live and the life of our fantasies. But it is the life unlived - the person we have failed to be - that can trouble and even haunt us. In Missing Out acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips delves into the gap between who we are and who we are not, to discover whether not getting what we want may be the unlikely key to the fully lived life.

Adam Phillips is a psychoanalyst and the author of several previous books, all widely acclaimed, including On Kissing, Tickling and Being Bored, Going Sane and Side Effects. His most recent book is On Kindness, which was co-written with historian Barbara Taylor.

©2013 Adam Philips (P)2014 Audible Studios

What listeners say about Missing Out

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed but not really understood

Listening to this was like trying to climb up a slippery pole. One second's inattention and I was at the bottom again. There were moments when I think I might have got to the top and the view was lovely but generally I let it wash over me. Ironic really as the first chapter is about the frustrations and hidden pleasures of 'not getting it'. What I could understand was thought provoking and very intelligent. I should have known as I've got one of his books and never got past page 10. Don't let me put you off but if you haven't got some understanding of psychoanalysis be prepared to get pleasantly lost.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting but meandering

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Interesting topic. The writing is not very focused, and often it's not clear what the point he's trying to make - other than to show that he's clever.
The central ideas of the book are nonetheless interesting ones to explore.

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2 people found this helpful