Publisher's Weekly
During a break at a professional conference, Dr. Charlie Peruzzi, an English general practitioner, stumbles on the truth of the ''personality theory'' expounded by a Swedish brain specialist. Peruzzi observes for himself that people often have a distorted view of how others perceive them. He is convinced that if individuals could view themselves as others do, their basic personality problems might be solved, and decides to abandon his medical practice and instead conduct psychological research. Eventually, an entrepreneur offers to fund Peruzzi's ''personality surgery.'' The doctor opens a laboratory where he formalizes his studies through the use of sophisticated computer technology. The story ends as he begins to gain recognition for developing what is called ''the most exciting theory since Freud.'' Veteran author Wilson's (The Mind Parasites novel reads like an unembellished scientific log. While the premise may hold interest, the plot lacks drama and character development is nil.
Library Journal
Charles Peruzzi, a general practitioner in London, claims that psychiatric patients can cure themselves by choosing a better self-imagefirst by seeing themselves as others see them, then as they might be. The latter is accomplished with computer-altered videos. Both doctor and author evade the tougher issues. After failing to help an alcoholic whose second husband, a pederast, has committed suicide, Peruzzi accepts funding from a businessman with his own ideas about Peruzzi's work. These problems forgotten, the doctor goes on curing a string of pretty girls who aren't as cheerful as they ought to be. Wilson disparages Freud but hasn't advanced beyond him in female psychology. Nor does he convince us that the will can be fortified by subliminal techniques in the hands of benign ''personality surgeons.'' Hugh M. Crane, Brockton P.L., Mass
Genre: Mystery
During a break at a professional conference, Dr. Charlie Peruzzi, an English general practitioner, stumbles on the truth of the ''personality theory'' expounded by a Swedish brain specialist. Peruzzi observes for himself that people often have a distorted view of how others perceive them. He is convinced that if individuals could view themselves as others do, their basic personality problems might be solved, and decides to abandon his medical practice and instead conduct psychological research. Eventually, an entrepreneur offers to fund Peruzzi's ''personality surgery.'' The doctor opens a laboratory where he formalizes his studies through the use of sophisticated computer technology. The story ends as he begins to gain recognition for developing what is called ''the most exciting theory since Freud.'' Veteran author Wilson's (The Mind Parasites novel reads like an unembellished scientific log. While the premise may hold interest, the plot lacks drama and character development is nil.
Library Journal
Charles Peruzzi, a general practitioner in London, claims that psychiatric patients can cure themselves by choosing a better self-imagefirst by seeing themselves as others see them, then as they might be. The latter is accomplished with computer-altered videos. Both doctor and author evade the tougher issues. After failing to help an alcoholic whose second husband, a pederast, has committed suicide, Peruzzi accepts funding from a businessman with his own ideas about Peruzzi's work. These problems forgotten, the doctor goes on curing a string of pretty girls who aren't as cheerful as they ought to be. Wilson disparages Freud but hasn't advanced beyond him in female psychology. Nor does he convince us that the will can be fortified by subliminal techniques in the hands of benign ''personality surgeons.'' Hugh M. Crane, Brockton P.L., Mass
Genre: Mystery
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Used availability for Colin Wilson's The Personality Surgeon