SEPARATING YOU: A SELF-HELP BOOK FOR THE LOST, LONELY, AND PSYCHOTICALLY OBSESSEDBY DR. JASON CARSON

Many thanks to “author” Dr. Jason Carson for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
 
I can’t remember where I heard about this book, but it was from a book review site. I was
almost giddy when reading about the book - and even more pleased when the author offered to send me a copy to read. I am fascinated by serial killers in many regards - their complex psychology being one of them - so to read a book as-told-by a serial killer was fun. (Note: The author is not a serial killer and does not condone violence to self or to others)  I’ve not read any books by actual serial killers so I can’t speak to how accurately this reflects the thoughts of a true serial killer.  The book is very entertaining, nonetheless.
 
This book is told in first-person POV, as though written by Dr. Jason Carson (Dr. Carson is a fictional author, but he even has his own Twitter account which is fun to follow!). In this instructional book, Dr. Carson walks you through some the mental processes needed to commit murder. He details how one would compartmentalize things so that it’s easier to manipulate, or how to normalize the darkest of inspirations which “normal” people would frown upon.
 
While this book is truly satirical, I will admit I wrote down some sentences that really resonated with me or inspired me. Not “inspire” in the sense that it  made me want to hurt people; it’s more like I’ve been given a few mantras that I should carry around in my head for when I need a little boost. When framed in a “positive” or “socially acceptable” construct, then Dr. Carson gives some really sage advice.
 
“Fear is only fear whenever we are too weak to face what scares us…” page 29.
 
“What it takes is positive thought, forceful thought.” page 40. (I’m going to phrase “forceful” in the sense that the positive vibes force themselves into a situation, thus knocking down the bad ones!)
 
“Why aren’t you trekking up the mountain of adversity to achieve your own version of happiness…?” page 62.
 
Those seem like good quotes to be printed on a “Hang in There!” poster.
 
Another thing about this book is that it shows how very arbitrary many things in life can be.
Most of us would agree that to hurt or kill another person is “bad” because it impedes on their right to life or happiness. But on the other hand, by preventing someone from hurting or killing someone - isn’t that impeding on their happiness? It’s just interesting to think about people out there who do not fit easily into a culture’s definition of moral thinking and behaving, and have extreme inspiration to inflict fear, pain and death on people - for no reason.  Or, for a reason where other people would find a more positive way of dealing with rejection, humiliation, abuse, etc.
 
The ending was a lot different than I thought it would be, but it’s a good one.  Like the ending, there were some really trippy parts of the book that creeped me out.  Dr. Carson seemed like a “rational” person for the most part, but sometimes he’d get in these delicious little tangents where it’s like he’s seeing life as though he’s in a real trippy dream.
 
The pace is great, and it doesn’t lag anywhere. The book kept my interest start to finish, and I read through it quickly.  Dr. Carson thought differently than what I would have expected a serial killer to think like, but even though I read a fair amount about serial killers, I am definitely no expert.  I had hoped it would be a bit darker, but the author’s note in the beginning stated this was not written to be the darkest in the genre, but his own exploration into the mind of a serial killer, and I appreciate that.  Overall, a very enjoyable read.
 
Separating You is a great read for anyone who wonders about what makes a serial killer do what he/she does.  This book certainly does what it is set out to do - it explores the psyche of a serial killer, without the author being a murderer himself.
 
Dr. Carson Twitter: @DrJayToday

Review by Kimberly Wolkens

"Do you hurt? Do you hate? Do you want?


GOOD!


If you have ever felt like your entire existence is meaningless, full of random potholes, endless lectures, and constant heartache, then this book is for you!


Won't you join me? Won't you challenge your inner essence to dig up some grain of joy in this hell we call day to day "life"? Follow me...buy this book, and follow me.


— Dr. Jason Carson"

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