When Rabbit Howls [Paperback]

Truddi Chase (Author), Robert A. Phillips (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2002

Truddi Chase began therapy to discover why she suffered from blackouts. What surfaced was terrifying: she was inhabited by 'the Troops'-92 individual personalities. This groundbreaking true story is made all the more extraordinary in that it was written by the Troops themselves. What they reveal is a spellbinding descent into a personal hell-and an ultimate deliverance for the woman they became.

"Fascinating...unusual and very emotionally touching." (Dr. Cornelia Wilbur, the psychiatrist who treated Sybil)

"Extraordinary...A nightmarish story." (The Chicago Tribune)

"Startling...powerful." (The San Francisco Chronicle)

"Horrifying, compelling...extremely disturbing." (Psychology Today)

"Remarkable...alarmingly real and courageous." (Toronto Sun)

"Provocative reading...fascinating." (Library Journal)

"Searing...a truly moving and thought-provoking work...an unplifting and inspiring story of a survivor." (Sojourner: The Women's Forum)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Phillips, a Washington, D.C., therapist, explains that "The Troops" are the multiple personalitiesapproximately 80 men and womenof the pseudonymous Truddi Chase, who first consulted him in 1980. He further maintains that the patient, a successful businesswoman now in her 50s, has been "asleep" since she was raped at the age of two by her stepfather, who continued to sexually abuse her for 14 years. The cluster of personalities, speaking through a troop member dubbed the "Recorder," talk about their suffering for the primary victim who, it is also revealed, was mistreated by her mother as well. There are sensational episodes described by beings identified as social Alvira, hard Nails, alert Gatekeeper and others. Although the novelistic overtones in the text strain credibility, the book nonetheless proves to be a convincing, affecting case study. Author Tour.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The strange world inhabited by those afflicted with schizophrenia or multiple personality syndrome is virtually impenetrable. By illuminating these convoluted worlds, both books make major contributions to the understanding of mental illness. North began to exhibit manifestations of schizophrenia as a child. Desite her acceptance of "voices" and "visions" as reality, the reader can easily identify with her as she struggles through her schooling. She graphically descibes her breakdowns and traumatic hospitalizations during her college years and in medical school. Her eventual success in conquering her disability and attaining her goal of becoming a physician evokes a sense of exhilaration. --Carol R. Glatt, New Jersey Bioethics Commission, Trenton
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (February 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425183319
• ISBN-13: 978-0425183311
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Personality Disorders
  • #100 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Sexual Abuse

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thank you to the Troops for Truddi Chase, January 29, 2000

By 

"cindysd" - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Rabbit Howls (Paperback)

This book is very gripping and very emotional. You will feel everything as you read The Troop's account of their lives: happiness, terror, revulsion, anger, joy. This is no easy read; the Troop's are hard to follow and the content is so striking. But it gave me a more complete understanding of this disorder, and how we cope with it. It caused me to feel a need for much more help for those who suffer with it, and possibly not just in the field of psychology. I gained a greater insight into my own personality, and while I am not a mutiple, I have been able to recognize several "selves" I created to cope with my own life. I believe every human does this. It is with the multiples, however, that it moves in much deeper levels. I also caught a glimpse of the divine in the Troop's story. I saw the activity of the soul and even the influence of those who have not incarnated. This is a wide, terrifying, exhilarating ride. You will cry with the injustice of what happened to these people, but you will also glow with their ability to survive. I thank each one of them and I send my blessings.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Sane Response to an Insane Situation..., January 17, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Greenbelt, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Rabbit Howls (Paperback)

The Human Spirit is resilient and the mind of the child born as Truddi Chase and who became the Troops are pioneers for those who have until recently no voice ... she exposes poignantly the horror, the pain and the marvelous way a mind can protect itself through the creation of many to help cope with the devastation heaped on her by two very deranged people, who called themselves parents. The movie based on the book is Voices Within and does a good job ... but read this book if you or anyone you know is a multiple and/or a survivor of intense and long term abuse. Troops thank you all!

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful account of tragedy and turmoil!, August 4, 2001

By 

Kevin P. Grover (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Rabbit Howls (Paperback)

Truddi Chase has taken a chance (one that has paid off well) in her book "When Rabbit Howls". I personally have to tip my hat to her for examining a traumatical experience that is still kept (sorrowfully) in the back of mainstream society today.

Sad as it may be, too many people still misunderstand Multiple-Personality-Disorder (MPD). It is quite probably the least understood of all of the afflictions that are grouped under the banner of "Depression". Anyone who would stop for a minute and actually look into the number of Depression cases, and MPD in particular, would be shocked to learn the numbers that are medical fact.

Truddi Chase takes the reader along a roller-coaster ride that examines the creation and development of MPD. While there are as many different methods and reasons as to why this happens as there are people afflicted, Truddi examines this in such exquisite detail that is so realistic that it actually holds some fright for the reader. Fright in the manner of thoroughly explaining what goes on in the mind of someone suffering from this, and how it develops from something that too many people believe are events that aren't so terrible.

Mental illness in any form is a tragic thing for anyone to go through. At times, it is hard to determine on whom it is worse - the person suffering, or the person living and dealing with the sufferer. The best way to cope with either situation is to understand the affliction, and this is precisely what Truddi does here. She presents it in a manner that can be understood and appreciated. This is one book that I would recommend everyone read at least once so that at least some basic understanding of this disease can be made, without any of the conclusions that many (unfortunately so) reach when this subject is brought to bear.