Daughter of Narcissus

I am a Lady C fan, and this book did not disappoint

Why sad and tragic? Because it's a true story.Written by Lady Colin Campbell, the book describes what it was like to grow up in a family headed by a narcissistic mother and an emotionally passive father. The father was accomplished in the business world, but at home, the mother ran the roost.In today's language the mother might be classified a narcissist as well as a sociopath and a sadist. For me, it was the latter which was the most devastating to read about. Not only did the mother apparently have the personality flaws of vanity, materialism, shallowness, and self centeredness, as a narcisisst might; the emptiness inside and lack of morality a sociopath might; but truly enjoyed causing others extreme pain, confusion, and distress.Lady Campbell has done a magnificent job of recalling detailed conversations and incidents. Some artistic license might have been taken, as these things sometimes occurred decades ago; but the basics have the ring of truth. The incidents are too bizarre and too simultaneously banal to have been manufactured. Cruelty was a fact of life in the Ziadie household.The titular mother had it out for everyone at some point in time. Her own sister, her own husband, and her own children. She is quoted as saying she hates children and "is the biggest bitch you will ever meet." She seems determined to live down to her own self-description. She is casually cruel for no reason at all. More, she goes out of her way to concoct machinations to destroy the lives of those in her closest family.Throughout, her children try to be loyal and dutiful and loving; hope dies hard in a child towards their parent.Lady Campbell also briefly details the basics of her married years. She mentions various litigations she has been put through over the decades. All of this while dealing with an alcoholic, sadistic sociopath who had a way of pulling her children (including Lady Campbell) back into her orbit over and over again.All I can say is Lady Campbell must be one of the emotionally strongest people on earth. What she has been through might have put many people underground. Instead, she flourished. This book might be inspiring for those who have dealt or are dealing with a similar parent or loved one as the titular mother of this tale.Like many adult children of abusive homes, Lady Campbell has grown up to value truth and is a truth teller. This is partly what makes her books so riveting. This book is tragic because even the mother in this story is not happy; but she cannot stop herself from shredding those who love her. It is in the end a dark fairy tale; the family who had everything materially speaking but had such potently toxic emotional obstacles to overcome. Well worth a read.

I cannot Even imagine how evil a narcissistic parent can be but reading Lady C’s book about her mother is shocking and terribly sad. How she can be as emotionally healthy despite, is a miracle. Her poor brother Mickey and sister Libby took the brunt of her mothers cold cruel calculating rath.My childhood couldn’t hold a candle to this.You will thank God for your own dysfunctional childhood after reading this book!

I like books that people write about their own lives and experiences. Think we can all relate tosuch stories. Interesting read. The only thing I have to complain about, the writing is very small.It's a thick book. Just the kind of book to read curled up next to a fireplace on a cold winter's day.It was a Christmas present to myself. PS: I am a Lady C fan.

I listen to Lady Colin Campbell on You Tube, so I decided to read about her life. Wow! She has overcome so much! If you like reading about people, high society in Jamaica and Great Britain, and/or have to deal with a narcissist in your life, you will enjoy this book. Great book!

As I eagerly await Lady Colin Campbell's book on the Markles, I came across this title she had written some time before. I eagerly purchased and consumed the lengthy book within 10 days. With my background in psychology and personal ties to the UK, a book dedicated to a personality disorder seemed like required reading in advance of the book on Meghan and Harry Markle.The book was a mixed bag for a few reasons:1. The writing style is overly verbose. While Lady C has a strong command of English, she often protracts her thoughts needlessly. The resultant urge to skim paragraphs becomes quite pronounced two-thirds of the way through her book.2. The subject-matter is disturbingly fascinating, as most studies of narcissists are. Unexpectedly, the backdrop of Jamaica in the 1950s-1990s provides a rich account of a period of time and culture not frequently explored. After having finished the book, weeks later, it's Lady C's descriptions of Jamaican culture which has left the lasting impression.3. The book somewhat feels disjointed at times. Several times, I had to re-read the the paragraph in which Lady C casually mentions her birth defect, and its affect upon her parental. The short sentence she used to drop this bomb left me confused. This nugget is burried approximately one-third of the way through the book, which leaves the reader with an unexpected "plot twist" in an otherwise biographical work.4. While I am hugely sympathetic to the atrocious experiences Lady C endured at the hands of her mother, there are two instances in which Lady C comes across as petty, self-righteous, and/or sanctimonious. For an otherwise level-headed woman, it detracts from her message, and, ironically the subject of narcissism. As I await her inevitable and forthcoming evisceration of the Markles, this saddened me slightly.

This book gives a clear insight as to what Lady C went through as a child and as an adult with a mother who had multiple mental health issues. It's an interesting book, but the things that she and her siblings had to tolerate were horrific! This author is an extremely intelligent and strong lady. Thank you for sharing your story.

Books written as Autobiographies by the subject themselves seldom present with the Clinical and Therapeutic accuracy required to be of value to practising Clinical professionals. Daughter of Narcissus by Lady Colin Campbell is a very rare find.

Very interesting, engaging non-fiction book by one of my favourite authors. I thought my command of the English language was pretty good, but Lady C is in another league! I have to admit to learning (at 75 years of age) the meaning of words I’d previously never heard of! Excellent job Lady C. 👏🏼👏🏼

Like all the books written by Lady Colin Campbell, it is very well written.I find it very hard to put the book down because it is extremely interesting.

I highly recommend this book. If you have ever wanted to understand the inner workings of a disturbed mind and it’s damaging affects on families this is the book for you. A terrific read.

A great read and well written

I follow her youtube channel and found myself reading this with her voice in my head. A revealing but respectful account of life for her and her family under the control of an abusive narcissistic mother, and how she made her peace with the upbringing forced upon her.