This was an excellent overview of that part of consciousness we call « the self ». Historically, it is fascinating to trace this experience across cultures and individuals, as well as societies. The book is written in beautiful snd poetic prose, and is a fine example of creative nonfiction. Absolute must for those interested in psychology, neuroscience and the philosophy of mind and consciousness

Astonishing look at… myself.

Or what makes me, me. Or how society, religion, culture and place shaped my inner self. Who do I connect with? How do I develop, and when, the thoughts, the things that make up… me. There’s a lot of ‘me’ so far but that’s really what this author worked me through. Through ancient history to modern. Through the words of religious figures and texts, scholars, bright minds and thinkers of the centuries, their thoughts on what defines our inner selves, or ‘spaces’, was laid out.

And I found it fascinating. So many different observations by a wide range of people offering their insights and conclusions on what they felt about these ‘spaces’. While some of these observations felt like conclusions based on the author’s own experience and truths, these educated guesses also afforded me the opportunity to take his and all the perspectives to start drawing conclusions of my own. How were my inner spaces drawn? What did they say about me?

I’m certain I don’t have all the answers but this book gave me a lot to think about and much to explore further. This was a satisfying read - scholarly but with a relatable style that kept me entertained and learning throughout.

This is an astonishing book and deserves a wide circulation. Stephen Prickett takes on the history of Western philosophy and literature in a Christian context. In this enterprise, he marks out Augustine as a pioneering thinker of ‘secret selves’. These ‘selves’ represent the way in which individuation is always set against (and with) the exigencies of the collective – family, tribe, church, village, football club and so on.
I particularly responded to the respect shown to my (and Stephen's) late tutor, Stephen Medcalf and to the attention given to “children's” literature. As the writer points out, there is no such genre. C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, among many, are outstanding writers per se and are recognised as such.
Pickett demonstrates an enviable grasp of the cultural history of the West: from medieval frescoes through post-renaissance “realism” to Romanticism, watchmaking and cybernetics. He is aware of plays, novels and films that lie just outside the standard histories; popular culture gets a look in too.
The proof copy from Netgalley (thank you) lacks the illustrations so I am now awaiting publication date to get a print copy. A resounding five stars!

This immensely interesting book is a history of the evolution of human understanding of our inner world - the internal 'I' which we all take for granted. Author Stephen Prickett has written an erudite yet accessible work in a very readable style while still dealing with quite complex ideas and concepts. Beginning in Biblical times he examines the gradual development of the inner self and the eventual move towards a scientific rather than supernatural explanation for dreams and "divine intervention", with plenty of examples.