Puer Aeternus

M-L von Franz is a brilliant and accessible writer, and this is her most enjoyable book for me. I have read it through several times, and with each reading, I find greater depth. I cannot say enough good things about it. I do, however, agree in part with the reviewer who addresses the weakness of Jungian theories of homosexuality. I do not agree this is homophobia--I think that word is way over-used and often used as a sledgehammer against people with opposing views, but I would not necessarily argue that there are no grounds for using it here. The Jungians, beginning with Carl Jung, do seem to address homosexuality in the most superficial and insubstantial ways. This is clearly an area that requires far more effort than Jung or von Franz have put into it, but I do think this is a lack of effort rather than a phobia. But that is a personal opinion. Overall--and that weakness aside--this is an engaging and fascinating book.

This book is truly lifesaving. A son can not help having had a devouring mother but he can help what he does with his life and this book will give the insight to shatter the illusions and spells his mother cast and reclaim his masculinity and maturity. I think it took a woman to see it so clearly and to spell out.

I was informed by my therapist that I have a strong "puer aeternus" archetype and resolved to read around the subject. I found Miss Von Franz's book to be useful and very entertaining. It is essentially an extended lecture delivered with great style and clarity with many lengthy but fascinating anecdotes and deviations. I actually read the Little Prince when studying French and again in Spanish but I didn't "get it" at all. To see the story interpreted by a Jungian analyst is quite enlightening. The Jungian world view is certainly rather strange and I found myself confused at times by some of the concepts and terminology but all in all it is an excellent book.

This is a profound, brilliant book. The author is extraordinary in her analysis of the psychological material of the Puer archetype. She was a close associate of Jung for over 30 years and it shows. Incredible wisdom and incredible comprehension! This book is an education and it deserves the highest rating of 5 stars.

I know very little about Jungian psychology, but this book caught my eye years ago. I started reading it again and it has made me aware of so much WHY about my life and struggles. It is frighteningly accurate in its descriptions of the puer aeternus and the best and worst of that archetype. I don't agree with some of the Jungian conclusions and assumptions, but the descriptive parts of this book are INVALUABLE if you're ready to face them. I'm finally facing them.