I am not a huge nonfiction fan. But what I do love is a good nonfiction book which shows how much a person has learned about themselves. And then to see that person rise above their own issues.
This book does that. The author has overcome an amazing stigma. Sociopathy and owning that out loud and in public Is powerfully brave. And the fact that she is using it to help others understand is laudable.
A read for anyone who may be rouched by sociopathy.

I received a ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own

I love reading a good memoir and Patric Gagne's Sociopath didn't disappoint! It's inherently interesting--who wouldn't want to read about sociopathy written by someone who is a sociopath? But the memoir is more than just voyeuristic entertainment. It's smart and engagingly-written. It's also really important, especially because we know so little about sociopathy and what we _think_ we know is often inaccurate.

Gagne explains she knew from an early age that something was "different" about her because didn't have the same feelings about or responses to situations that others had. Where someone else might experience remorse, for example, Gagne experienced only apathy. Over time, the anxiety that develops as a consequence of apathy spurs the sociopath to feel _something_ and that something is usually involves acting out in a socially-unacceptable way. As Gagne explains it: "I can postulate that the pressure I experienced was almost certainly a negative reaction to my lack of feeling, that my urge to act out was most likely my brain's way of trying to jolt itself into some semblance of 'normal.' For Gagne, "acting out" includes lying, stealing, picking locks, breaking into people's homes and stalking. Yet we also see her develop close relationships with people and quell some of her darker impulses. Ultimately, Gagne earns her PhD in Psychology in order to understand herself and bring hope to other sociopaths that they can lead happy lives.

I have to admit there were times while reading this book that I wanted it to move along more quickly. Maybe this is because I've read other memoirs of this type. What I can say without hesitation is that you will be hooked from the start and you'll keep reading because the subject matter is fascinating and because Gagne treats it with the respect and humanity it deserves.

3.5 stars!

As a mental health practitioner, I could not wait to read this book. Big thanks to NetGalley for providing the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Patric discovers early on that she feels things differently than most other people she knows. This sets her on a course throughout her life to try to relieve the uncomfortable 'internal tension' of absent emotions through low-level criminal activity and eventually to the pursuit of a PhD to research and ultimately attempt to 'raise awareness' around her condition of sociopathy.

I was bored out of my mind during the first half of the book, almost DNF. However, I'm glad I held in because the second half was delightfully entertaining. Much of the book feels completely manufactured, but once I got past that I allowed myself to be taken on this well-written ride. I applaud the author for tackling such a fascinating topic. In the end I found it to be an interesting book worth reading.

This sounded super interesting from the get-go, and it was! Patric Gagne realized as a young child that she felt very differently than other kids and people, and as she dealt with it in different ways growing up her understanding of sociopathy developed and evolved until she eventually decided to go into psychology and specialize in it. A lot of the remembering of childhood experiences is obviously told through the lens of adulthood, and conversations are re-written with good detail according to her memory of them and the impact that particular conversation her on her. I really enjoyed this and appreciated the insight of someone who feels so differently than the majority of people; the discussion of differences between sociopath and psychopath is interesting. My big questions - I want to know who her father is?! Who's "Max"?! What happened with the crazy stalker lady?! Another thought on this is that if she had not been born into privilege, she may not have been able to manage herself and her circumstances the way she did - she had money, opportunities, overall parental support, etc. - Overall this was a really interesting and thought-provoking memoir and I wish her continued success with developing her therapies for sociopathy, which seems so important!

I've read dozens of memoirs over the last few years, but seldom has one surprised me quite as much as Patric Gagne's Sociopath. I initially wanted to read Sociopath because of my confusion (and as it turns out, my misunderstanding) of the difference between the terms "sociopath" and "psychopath." I had come to believe that the difference between the two was based on criminal activity - psychopaths were criminals, sociopaths were just manipulative jerks. Patric Gagne has opened my eyes regarding sociopathy by first pointing out that many mental health professionals themselves don't seem to understand the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath a whole lot better than I understood it before reading Sociopath. And that's the problem.

Patric Gagne is a sociopath. She lives the life of a sociopath so she knows what she is talking about. But Gagne does not draw only from her personal experiences to reach the conclusions that she reaches about what sociopathy really is. While in college, she tried to learn more about why she was so different from all of her fellow students only to be frustrated by how little information she could find about sociopathy in the university library. Frustrated as she may have been, Gagne was so determined to learn why she is the way she is that she ultimately earned a PhD in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and became a therapist. Her mission is to help write an expanded definition of sociopathy that likens the condition to a learning disability; in this case, an inability to learn or absorb most of the spectrum of human emotion. By eliminating the negative connotation of the term, Gagne hopes that the rest of us will understand that sociopaths are not evil people, that the disorder they were born with is a treatable one. Just as importantly, she wants to give hope to others struggling to control their own antisocial behavioral compulsions.

You only have to read the "Introduction" to Sociopath to know that you have something special in your hands. In the very first sentence, Gagne tells you that she is a sociopath. And within the book's first half-page, what she tells you about herself and other sociopaths is enough to make you more than a little bit nervous about being around people like her. But that's the point. You already are around people like the ones she describes because they are doctors, neighbors, lawyers, co-workers, school teachers, etc. They are everywhere.

If you want to learn why they behave the way they do (especially, I think, if you've ever worked with or for a sociopath), this is a book you need to read. If you want to learn what it feels like to live the daily struggle of being a sociopath in a world in which everyone "gets it" but you, this is a book you need to read. But most of all, if you are a sociopath wanting to know more about yourself and the disability you were born with, Sociopath is definitely the book for you.

As someone who struggles with mental health issues, I am so impressed and in awe of Patric Gagne for her accomplishments. Especially in a world that doesn't always love to give chances to those of us who are different.

This is a memoir written by an author with sociopathy. Patric has not only lived with this since childhood, but when she realized her sociopathic symptoms in a college class, she went on to get a PhD. in clinical psychology. The power and strength in that as a way of taking ownership of what can be a crippling disorder for some, just makes me feel like there is really hope for people like me, that struggle with deep depressions, to anyone with similar struggles.

This book has so much information that can teach those with this disorder or without it. It's truly magnificent!

Out April 2, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

This was so fascinating. I was floored about her childhood logic of being a sociopath. It was so wild to feel like I was really in her perspective of things. All the way through the memoir she was educating the differences from psychopath vs sociopath which are pretty nuanced. I really enjoyed this, and it wasn’t like any other memoir I had read before.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was SO GOOD!!! The storytelling made this book impossible to put down and it was so informative. This is a must read!

forget everything you've ever understood about sociopathy -- a real life sociopath, patric, is one of the most empathetic voices of our generation. de-stigmatizing, heartfelt, profound -- this book allows us to find relatability to find commonality in an often demonized neurodivergency. a must read for anyone entering the behavioral health profession.

What a fascinating memoir! People think they understand sociopaths because of how they're portrayed in pop culture, but this does so much to show how someone with that diagnosis actually acts and feels (or doesn't.) I know there's plenty out there to show that sociopaths aren't necessarily violent, and how many sociopaths are leaders in their industry, but this does so much more to humanize those people.
*
I really enjoyed seeing Patric's perspective, her struggles, her trying to figure out how to be "normal" and ultimately realizing that just because she experiences the world in a different way doesn't mean that she's wrong. It's frustrating to see how difficult it was for her to find people in her life who could truly accept her, and also be healthy for her.
*
This was such a unique read, and I think it will do a lot to help people (all people!) have a better understanding of each other and the range of ways people experience emotion. Definitely recommend!

Did I just tear up at the end of a memoir titled “Sociopath?” I sure did! And I also believe there are a lot of readers out there who will read this book and have the same reaction as me.

Patric Gagne grew up knowing she was different from other children, but it wasn’t until taking psychology classes in college that a diagnosis clicked with her– sociopathy. When she found few resources to help her understand sociopathy, she forged a path for herself and has spent the years since leading the research on the very topic.

There is a great balance in this memoir between personal anecdotes and basic science that made it extremely enjoyable for me. Patric also has close ties to the music industry, which always makes for even juicier, fascinating stories. As for the science, I had little knowledge of psychology or sociopathy before this so I feel like I took a lot away from reading on those topics.

Major takeaway from this story is that when you point the finger at others, there are four fingers pointing back at you. Criticizing sociopaths for lacking feelings and emotion only reflects a lack of empathy and compassion on yourself for not accepting them the way they are. It warmed my heart to see how the relationships in Patric’s life, namely with David and Everly, blossomed into acceptance and love from all parties.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this turns out to be the memoir of the summer!

*Thanks to NetGalley for exchanging an e-ARC of this book for an unbiased review!

This might be one of my new favorite memoirs. It had that instant impact that within the first few lines, you just know it’s going to be good!

Patric is so raw and candid about her journey through living with sociopathy and I really appreciated her humor. More than anything though, I really appreciated that she challenged my thoughts and beliefs towards sociopaths. This was such an interesting read and equally entertaining.

When I saw that there was a book about sociopaths written by a sociopath with a phD in clinical psychology, I knew I had to read this book. This book was so insightful. I love how the author educates her readers through her thoughts and life experiences. I can't imagine a better way of learning about this misunderstood mental disorder.

Sociopath: a Memoir tells the story of Patric Gagne from young childhood to now. Patric always knew she wasn't like everyone else: she didn't feel emotions like other people do, like empathy, guilt, or fear. But it wasn't until a college psychology class that she had a word for what she felt: sociopath. This book shows people what her challenges were when feeling apathy and how she discovered treatments when there were none .

I have no criticisms about this book. I learned so much, and the book was very well written. I enjoyed following Patric throughout her whole life - from beginning to know she was different to experiencing treatment. Before I began reading this book, I didn't know the difference between psychopaths and sociopaths. It turns out not many people do. I had no idea what the history of sociopathy looked like. I had no idea that there was no treatment for so long.

Anyone who reads this will develop empathy for any sociopaths they know, and anyone who is a sociopath will learn that they are not alone.

This book seems to be causing quite the stir and is polarizing. Kirkus Reviews said, "A peculiar, provocative exploration of the limits of social acceptance." For what it's worth.

This memoir is told in four parts, including an intro. It is written under a pseudonym, as the author is allegedly a therapist. Because of the nom de plume, there is little to no information available on the author, which was a bummer for me, since I really enjoyed her writing style and was hoping to find/read more. Perhaps in the future. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I think Gagne is an extremely engaging storyteller, very raw and honest*. Asterisk, because Reasons. Using a direct quote from the author - “Like any good con, the information was just accurate enough to seem credible.” I am not a sociopath, however, I've been diagnosed with MDD, GAD, PTSD, and I think this book could be helpful to others, sociopaths and people who have also had moments of 'am I alone in this?', because I've certainly had experiences of negativity and gaslighting with regards to my mental illnesses (and even a few physical things - like when a doctor insinuated it's all in my head, when in fact, I had vulvodynia). For me, this memoir was enlightening and, in some sense, empowering.


eARC feedback-wise, my copy had a lot of befuddling typos that started small and barely there and then for some reason increased? Assuming this will be resolved before the final product, but oof, it was strange, heh.

Also, I'm miffed we didn't get a conclusion to the Ginny story. Considering how heavy it was, it seems irresponsible or like a total letdown.

This memoir is completely unique as it gives a close up look at what some sociopaths experience with their diagnosis and lack of resources. Patric is a young girl and always knows she’s different. She doesn’t feel any type of way when she does things that are wrong. As a child, she sneaks out of her home and into other people’s homes. During her teenage years, she tries to figure out why she’s so different. Once she’s an adult, she pursues a doctorate in psychology. There is no help, and therefore she decides to be the resource. Her book is written with a pseudonym which is revealed towards the end when she acknowledges her sister chose her name in the book. Even though it’s written with pseudonym, it’s a compelling read and a look at how people struggle with sociopath disorder.

This was a fascinating look at a topic that interests many of us, sociopathy. The memoir is not only about her life, but also an investigation into sociopathy and her discovering her own symptoms and diagnoses. Anyone interested in psychology will find this memoir engaging. I would have loved even more of a look into Patrice’s childhood but the latter parts were interesting as well.

“I am a criminal without a record. I am a master of disguise. I have never been caught. I have rarely been sorry. I am friendly. I am responsible. I am invisible. I blend right in. I am a twenty-first century sociopath.”

Sociopath: A Memoir comes out 4/2.

Sociopath by Patric Gagne is a memoir following the author as she is growing up knowing that there is something off about her. When she goes to college, she starts learning about “sociopaths” and feels very connected with the traits associated with that diagnosis. This memoir follows her life from early childhood to her time writing this book.

I will say, when I saw the cover with the word “Sociopath” on it and a big PH.D beside the authors name, I thought this would be a dense, more science heavy book and it’s not that at all. It is very easy to read and when it does get a little technical, it uses language that is very easy to understand.

The authors picks very interesting parts of her life to represent her sociopathic tendencies. I thought the memories of her childhood were particularly interesting. While the latter half of this book felt a bit repetitive, it never bothered me because that how life is. I think this author could probably do very well in future books because the story telling is really engaging.

If you are thinking about picking this up, I would recommend it to people who enjoy memoirs but not to people look for something super scientific. This is very much just the author’s own feeling Ms surrounding her diagnosis and what effects that had on her life.

When you think Sociopath you think criminal, drug use, arrest. and so much more. Or maybe you think someone who is a serial killer but this book shows a completely different side of it. Patric is a diagnosed sociopath and has struggled for years as to why she doesnt feel the same way as others or express their emotions the same But as they grew up Patric realized that this is due to her being a sociopath. The challenges she faced as unique to her condition and they are there for life.

I liked this book because I felt like it was an insight into someone who is cognizant of being a sociopath and the challenges they face in their everyday life without the aspect of criminality. I was an interesting read and something that I have been interested in ever since I got my psychology minor in college. It gave us a one on one perspective of how this person lives with her condition and manages it!

BOOK REVIEW
Sociopath: A Memoir


Genre: Biographies & Memoirs, Health, Mind & Body, Nonfiction (Adult)
Year Released: 2024
Pages: 368
Author(s): Patric Gagne
Where To Watch: available April 2, 2024; pre-order your copy here www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Patric Gagne's SOCIOPATH: A MEMOIR isn't your run-of-the-mill life story; it's a journey into the heart of what it means to navigate life with a sociopathic diagnosis. Gagne's narrative is compelling, offering an intimate glimpse behind the curtain of a life that defies conventional understanding. This book is a roller coaster of emotions, thought-provoking insights, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It manages to educate while entertaining, making you laugh, ponder, and even shed a tear or two. Yet there’s a feeling I can’t quite put my finger on, something about the read that feels off. It’s still a fantastic experience, but something seems slightly skewed.

The core of SOCIOPATH: A MEMOIR is a tale of profound isolation—a young Gagne feeling alien in a world driven by emotions she can't grasp. Yet, this is a lively exploration of identity, from the shadows of confusion to the light of comprehension, leading Gagne on a journey from her depths to academic achievement. Her quest to decode "sociopath" serves up a story rich in revelations, challenging the audience to rethink their preconceptions.

In a candid exploration, Gagne navigates through life's waters, her actions often misunderstood by society—lying, theft, and more. Yet, these are not acts of rebellion but survival tactics in her quest to find a place in a world that often views her through a lens of fear and misunderstanding. This nuanced depiction adds a deeper understanding and meaning to the memoir, presenting Gagne not just as a character in her own story but as a genuine person confronting life's complexities.

The memoir critiques the mental health sector's flaws and highlights Gagne's encounters with its inadequacies. Faced with frustration, her spirit for advocacy and enlightenment shines through. Pursuing higher education is more than an academic endeavor for Gagne; it's a crusade to illuminate the shadowy corners of understanding and care for sociopathy.

SOCIOPATH: A MEMOIR goes beyond just a personal narrative to address the more considerable societal and cultural challenges confronting those with personality disorders. Gagne's call for a more enlightened and compassionate mental health dialogue stands out, urging readers to reconsider their views on sociopathy.

The memoir strikes a balance, weaving through the difficulties of her diagnosis and the beautiful moments of connection that defy it. Gagne's relationships, especially with a past love, demonstrate that labels cannot constrain the human capacity for deep, meaningful bonds.

SOCIOPATH: A MEMOIR emerges as more than a recounting of personal experiences; it's a call for empathy, a challenge to the stigmas surrounding mental health, and a powerful affirmation of the possibility for personal evolution and love. Gagne beckons readers to look past the labels people are given, to recognize the individual beyond, and to embrace the shared humanity that unites us. Her story is a compelling invitation to expand our understanding of sociopathy, presented through a narrative that is as engaging as informative.

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This is such an interesting read. The author does not hold back on the details of some of their past, but is also self-aware enough to acknowledge areas for growth and things that are issues. Its very interesting to read about sociopathy, how it can manifest and vary between people, and how its quite likely that we all know a sociopath.