When Rabbit Howls
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)
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Trigger-Happy but Inspirational
I have the 1990 edition. It has a different cover.
I don’t think Truddi wrote this book for people who are multiples. When Truddi was diagnosed (1980), the field of psychology had no idea how many multiples there were, they thought it was an exceptionally rare disorder. What they missed is that it was simply rarely diagnosed. With the raising of awareness about child abuse in the 70s & 80s, the refocus from fault-of-the-victim to fault-of-the-perpetrator, people finally felt “safe enough” to see therapists for child abuse issues. Between that and more awareness of multiple personality disorder (now Dissociative Identity Disorder), more people were diagnosed with MPD/DID in the 1980s and 90s than ever before, hence more people who were multiple wrote books, and more people have become aware not only that this disorder exists but that they have it, whether or not they are diagnosed.
So that said, this book is very dramatic, immersive, and can cause a great deal of triggered flashbacks for those of us who have suffered several types of child abuse. It was written for the masses, before abuse survivors all over the world were collaborating on the Internet. That said, it reads like a thriller novel, it’s a real page-turner, you could lose sleep over it, and if you’re a victim of abuse it can be very disturbing indeed. There is actually therapeutic value in that, so if you are a victim read the book in collaboration with a therapist to explore the issues it brings up.
For me, I was diagnosed with multiple personalities in 1986 and confirmed with DID in 2001. I wrote a book about choosing NOT to be integrated, and I made sure it is a book of empowerment rather than horror non-fiction, and it is a coming out story, because being multiple can bring many more closets with it.
5 Stars A rare glimpse into the mind of multiple personality disorder.
This is a VERY graphic book. Not for young children, or even teenagers. It is for mature adults. This is a very interesting book written by a woman an her various personalities, that were formed through incest. This book is distrubing at times and confusing, but it is a very good read. Its not for the soft hearted.
1 Stars Skeptical delivery
When Rabbit Howls
This was recommended to me by a friend as a good read.
Other reviewers stated it was difficult to get used to the ‘language’ and delivery of the way the Troops communicated. I didn’t find this to be so, and I think anyone who read Watership Down as a kid will find some similarities also.
Others mentioned that it terrified them. Was I terrified? No. Actually found some passages laughable.
Don’t waste your time. Vulgar and disgusting, totally manufactured.
4 Stars A must read for someone considering a field in Psychology
I purchased this book after it was recommended by my professor in class. The book was fascinating to read and at times made me outraged at the life this individual lead and where she is today. A glimpse of multiple personality and how the personalities all worked together to protect the inner child of Trudy. I highly recommend such a book.
5 Stars when rabbit howls
this book tells of thee ability to survive almost anything the abuse ,terror this child suffered’, no one’s mind could handle. I admire her from the deepest part of my heart, and would be honored to meet her or be in her prence. to remaine a multiple, was a brave decesion.have read this 20 times , would love to have the movie. thank you, pat williams
Filed under: Mental Health Book Reviews