The Soul Grows in Darkness [Paperback]

Loren Pedersen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Pedersen is a certified Jungian psychoanalyst with thirty years experience in psychotherapy, men’s groups, biofeedback, and pain management. He has also taught psychology. He practices in Walnut Creek, California. His previous books are: Dark Hearts: The Unconscious Forces That Shape Men’s Lives, and Sixteen Men: Understanding Masculine Personality Types.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (January 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595332080
• ISBN-13: 978-0595332083
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,489,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing, page turner, inspirational, life changing!, February 26, 2005

By 

Linda J. Schiller-hanna "Blessed one" (northeast Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Soul Grows in Darkness (Paperback)

The Soul Grows in Darkness is the third of Loren Pedersen's
books I've read. His first two were important contributions to
understanding men's psychology: Dark Hearts, the Unconscious
Forces that Shape Men's Lives, and Sixteen Men: Understanding
Masculine Personality Types. I loved them both. Reading the
Soul Grows in Darkness helps me comprehend why the other two
books were so accurate, insightful, and useful...Loren "walks
his talk"...he learned this stuff from life experience, and deep self-reflection.
The Soul Grows In Darkness could easily be made into a movie. It has drama, excitement, and an engaging, believeable protagonist.
Its a definite page turner. Since I have ADD its often hard for me to stay focused while reading. Despite the hundreds of
partially read books in my house, this book held my attention
fully; I couldn't put it down. I read The Soul Grows in Darkness overnight.
The Soul Grows in Darkness works on many levels. Even on the most superficial level, the story impacts because you see how our hero, Loren, starts from Chicago's version of "Hell's Kitchen"..a rat-infested walk-up, with a drunken step-father, cold-fish mother, and hoodlum older brothers to becoming a Jungian analyst, gifted stained-glass artist, caring father,
author, and activist. Pedersen was no "goody-two-shoes" either; it was "touch and go" for quite some time.
The book takes you through the struggles he faced as he tried to find himself in an environment where "dark forces" lurk on every corner, including the recessess of his own brilliant
mind. I compare its emotional and spiritual impact to one of
my favorite books, Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl.
Frankl was also a therapist who overcame horrendous obstacles: in
Frankl's case, the holocaust. Both Pedersen and Frankl find meaning in suffering, and emerge from extreme and painful circumstances, not with bitterness, but more loving than anyone
might imagine they could ever be! Their journeys are similarly
heroic and profound.
There are many touching scenes. For example, the description
of his encounter with Johnny Mathis is pure magic. Many times
I laughed out loud, and several times I cried. Like me, you will be positively haunted, and shifted, and moved when you read this remarkable and uplifting story.
Similar to Forest Gump, Pedersen seemed to have a knack for being in a front row seat for many fascinating aspects of American life. His experience spans being a gang leader, to a demonstrator at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention, being asked to spy for the FBI while living in Berkeley during the
Viet Nam war, seeing the Dalai Lama, and a few autopsies, to
name a few!
This coming-of-age, (and developing-of-wholeness) book
also carries the reader through Loren's many spiritual trials
including brutal encounters with religious dogmatists, and
tragic, heartbreaking losses that would have put weaker souls
in straight-jackets. Pedersen's journey out of despair inspires
and teaches. The reader is carried along the twists and turns, easily identifying with Loren's struggle and brought to a dazzling new shore where it's finally safe to love oneself.
Perdesen's writing style is clean, clear, and humble. It rings true with every word. He has taken the best and worst
experiences of his fascinating life and connected the dots in a meaningful manner, producing a map that will give even the most desperate person hope.
This book is a natural classic. It will takes its place
beside The Catcher in the Rye and the Prophet.
Samuel Paterson said, "Books, like friends, should be few and well-chosen." The Soul Grows in Darkness doubly applies. Read this book...and you will have found a new friend. Quite
possibly you will also find a lifeline to move your own soul out of darkness!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing life, compelling story, August 27, 2005

By 

KDK "Karen" (Berkeley, California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Soul Grows in Darkness (Paperback)

An amazing life, a compelling story.
The author skillfully reveals a life of innocence, desperation, anger, determination, hope, and eventual transformation. Dr. Pedersen tells his story with passion, insight, and wry humor; we feel his triumphs and tragedies.
I enjoyed it very much, and found it difficult to put down. This just has to be made into a movie!