Absent Fathers, Lost Sons: The Search for Masculine Identity [Paperback]

Guy Corneau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 1991

An experience of the fragility of conventional images of masculinity is something many modern men share. Psychoanalyst Guy Corneau traces this experience to an even deeper feeling men have of their fathers' silence or absence—sometimes literal, but especially emotional and spiritual. Why is this feeling so profound in the lives of the postwar "baby boom" generation—men who are now approaching middle age? Because, he says, this generation marks a critical phase in the loss of the masculine initiation rituals that in the past ensured a boy's passage into manhood. In his engaging examination of the many different ways this missing link manifests in men's lives, Corneau shows that, for men today, regaining the essential "second birth" into manhood lies in gaining the ability to be a father to themselves—not only as a means of healing psychological pain, but as a necessary step in the process of becoming whole.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a clear and thought-provoking book, a synthesis of much recent literature on masculine identity that should appeal to a broad readership—women as well as men."—Jim Boothroyd, The Montreal Gazette

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (March 27, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877736030
• ISBN-13: 978-0877736035
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for any male in search of himself., January 20, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Absent Fathers, Lost Sons: The Search for Masculine Identity (Paperback)

This book was easy to read without too much psychological jargon, yet it offered many insights to growing up without a stable father figure. It can be very helpful in realizing the sources of many difficulties which adults may face as a result of unresolved conflicts. I highly recommend it

21 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most important book in my life, December 18, 1999

By 

Yan Ge "dark_force" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Absent Fathers, Lost Sons: The Search for Masculine Identity (Paperback)

This book was the turning point of my life when I realized why I am who I am. It opened a window from where I was able to view my past life like never before. The rich clinical experience and the deep understanding of the patients by the author make this book invaluable to any son who had difficult relationship with his father. To the person from Europe who rated the book poorly: Isn't the Bible supposed to provide you so called Christians all the answers for anything you want? Why even bother reading any other book?

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the starting-points of my own journey, September 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Absent Fathers, Lost Sons: The Search for Masculine Identity (Paperback)

This book was a real eye-opener for me. I've read the whole book in one time with tears of finaly being understand at last. It's a real eye-opener for my mother too!