Customer Reviews

The Mystery of Nancy Drew: Girl Sleuth on the Couch

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Portions of this book are quite entertaining - especially for real Nancy Drew aficianados. I especially liked the map of River Heights and the surrounding areas. I grew up reading Nancy and now am an avid collector. I must say that the application of psychology to Nancy Drew is probably unwise. Nancy is a character. Too much analysis leaves young readers less capable of picturing their own personal Nancy. Much of the analysis is negative, which defeats the purpose of Nancy Drew. Nancy serves to prove to young girls that there is a heroine out there with spunk, courage, kindness and true goodness - someone they can aspire to be like. It isn't relevant that her perfection is unattainable. If she were realistically flawed she would not be the heroine and role model that she has become to so many. I almost felt disloyal to Nancy for reading some of the criticism. Furthermore, Nancy Drew books are entertaining. Without the bad guys, Nancy would serve no relevant purpose. I don't think her mysteries emphasize violence at all. In fact, you will notice that none of her captors ever really harms her. She gets a good fright but there are few references to guns or knives. It is good old fashioned smarts that wins Nany her cases - not knock 'em down gun fights.

Applying Jung's archetype psychology becomes clear after reading Caprio's explanation.The best layman book on the subject I have ever read. I have given it to friends because I enjoyed it so much. They also greeted the excellent information with appreciation for the clarity it brings to the study of archetypes. It was Great! I hope Caprio researches more archetypes and publishes more soon.

As an earlier reviewer noted, Caprio does a superb job of making Jungian concepts comprehensible and relevant for the layperson how has not read all of Jung's works. She skillfully applies Jungian analysis to Nancy Drew, not so that we might understand Nancy better, but so that we will ultimately undertand ourselves better.

But the book is not at all a "heavy read." Ms Caprio has a deft touch with humor. She regularly sneaks in some sly (but affectionate) digs at Nancy that will have you laughing out loud!

Admirably, Ms Caprio has provided lots of visual illustrations in the book -- well-remembered Nancy Drew illustrations, as well as specially commissioned art.

I'm tempted to buy a stack of these to give to friends!

This book was well thought to me. I have read Nancy Drews, although she does not do anything that is not perfect, and excells at everything, which us unrealistic. I always though she would be more of a role model if she wasn't number one at everything, and had real problems with life, showing girls maybe how to deal on their own too. But anyway, I liked this because it was well thought out, and the title even maybe negative,may in one way have a point. The book is good, but you decide on Nancy Drew.