Barbra Streisand: On the Couch, Shares Deep Insight Into One Of America's Most Beloved Icon
Carlisle, PA, November 13, 2017 - The widely popular On the Couch series by Alma Bond, Ph.D. has given us an opportunity to discover the lives of Marilyn Monroe, Hillary Clinton, and Jackie O through the eyes of renowned New York psychoanalyst, Dr. Darcy Dale. The fictionalized biographies provided a unique and revealing perspective of their lives.
Now, readers are invited to learn about screen and recording icon Barbra Streisand. In Barbra Streisand: On the Couch, Bond captures the details found in other biographies dedicated to the life of Barbra in a way that provides deep insight into her personality and character.
Synopsis:
Dr. Darcy Dale―renowned, pioneering New York City psychiatrist whose expertise has been sought by such larger-than-life women as Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Hillary Clinton―is confronted by Barbra, dismayed after thirty years of minimally successful therapy. Over the course of a year, Dr. Dale conducts an intimate psychoanalysis, breaking through ego defense mechanisms, and repressions to go deep into the heart and mind of one of America's last remaining superstars. Barbra's many dimensions come alive as we hear her story in her own words. She fluctuates between self-inflation and insecurity. She cracks wise. She becomes angry. She weeps. For better or worse, Dr. Dale sees Barbra in all of her raw, most human, aspects, giving readers unprecedented access to her pain and joy.
Barbra is funny, a bit abrasive, but very intelligent. Bond provides interesting insights into what Barbra could have been thinking during pinnacle times in her life, and her state of mind from a psychoanalyst's point of view. While this book is technically fiction, the facts themselves are all true. Only the thoughts and feelings attributed to Barbra are fictitious, along with the story of her "analysis." Dr. Bond's extensive research into the life of Barbra Streisand, along with her professional knowledge of psychology and her beautiful style of writing, give fans of Barbra's work and her persona fresh insight into a complicated woman - making this biography an enthralling and entertaining read!
"It's easy to want to get to know the essential Barbra and want to hear her story,” says Dr. Bond. "After reading pretty much everything ever written on Barbra, and then having written a book in which my alter ego, also a psychoanalyst, carries on numerous fictionalized sessions with her over the space of a year, I think I have a very good idea what and how Barbra thinks. To say that Barbra Streisand is an amazing woman is an understatement.”
About The Author
Alma H. Bond received her Ph.D. from Columbia University, and became a highly successful psychoanalyst in private practice for 37 years in New York City. She "retired" to become a full-time writer. She has written 23 books and her popular On the Couch series has received excellent reviews. Jackie O: On the Couch, the first in the Couch series, received a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award. Bond also wrote the play, "Maria,” about the life of Maria Callas. The play was produced off-off Broadway, toured the South, and was produced in London.
My Review:
I received this book from Dr Alma H. Bond, the author of Barbra Streisand: On The Couch, to review and what a book it is.
I am a huge fan of Barbra Streisand so couldn't wait to start reading. It is easy to forget it's a work of fiction but Dr Bond has used Barbra's own words from Barbara's public interviews with many presenters so it's as near the truth as you will get, without actually knowing her. While reading the book I felt as though I was in the room with them, present at every session it was so real.
I have to say I now see Barbra in a very different light. I think we forget that most of what we see is the performer and not the real person. Now, I feel as though I know Barbra the person, and it's great.
I can't believe she didn't like making Meet The Fockers! It's a great film and she was amazing in it. Whether you are a fan of Barbra, or not, this book is a fantastic read.
Ellen Dean Recommends
