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Description

Susan Grundy became interested in the topic of schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder after watching the film 'A Beautiful Mind' about the economist John Nash. Presented as ironic fiction, 'Squeezing Through, The Looking Glass' is nevertheless a serious study of the social and scientific construction of these so-called ‘diseases.’ Following Horrobin, Boyle, Szasz, Foucault the novel questions the received notion that the observable phenomenon of voice hearing, non-chemical hallucinating, holding strange beliefs, entertaining bizarre and fantastical thinking, exhibiting manic behaviour, or suffering black depression, has a physiological cause, and is something which should be controlled with medication, preferably eradicated. Using the symbol of the mirror the text expounds on the two sides to this theme: both the concept of self-actualisation (as opposed to narcissism) and the alternative world of left-hand reflection. Lewis Carroll’s 'Alice In Wonderland' and 'Through The Looking Glass' provides the perfect vehicles.

Although not autobiographical, 'Squeezing Through, The Looking Glass' is a fair reflection of many of the author’s own personal experiences with these pheomenon.

About the Author

Susan Grundy was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1959 and grew up in neighbouring South Africa. After divorcing she moved to the UK in 1986, settling in Oxfordshire and worked in publishing.

In 1988 Susan returned to South Africa where her daughter Sarah was born. She completed her BA degree through the University of South Africa in 1996, adding a Higher Education Diploma and an Honours Degree (cum laude) a few years later. She also taught art and design at High School for a number of years. She is now based in Italy with her partner Carlo.

Susan has published a number of articles and books in her specialisation – the use of camera obscura in painting from 1400–1700. She has focussed particularly on the work of the Italian woman painter Artemisia Gentileschi, and is currently writing a new biography of Artemisia and her father, Orazio. She and a colleague, Dr Roberta Lapucci, have a website dedicated to this field of research. Susan has also always maintained a keen interest in writing fiction.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 341 KB
• Print Length: 236 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Chipmunkapublishing (December 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0032FO5U6
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled

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