'The Death Mother is brought out of the shadows in this engaging, scholarly, and compassionate book. By artfully juxtaposing the narratives of women who have committed infanticide with archetypal psychology, Dr Laufer offers a perspective that is unique, sensitive, and compelling. Readers will finish this insightful book, with a deep understanding of the forces that can drive a mother to murder her children.'
Daniela Sieff, Ph.D., author of Understanding and Healing Emotional Trauma
'Brooke Laufer's look at the infanticidal mother is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Rather than judge and punish these women, as patriarchal systems often do, we should make the psychological move Brooke Laufer does:
turn toward them in a bid to understand and care for them.'
Dennis Pottenger,
MFT, author of Alchemy, Jung, and Remedios Varo: Cultural Complexes and the Redemptive Power of the Abjected Feminine
'This book is
essential reading for all healthcare professionals. Laufer takes us into the underbelly of human life, into patterns of behavior and horror that we generally prefer to ignore, yet are deeply embedded in us all. From compelling phenomenological research and clinical work with individuals and groups Laufer brings us crucial insights regarding the significance of the social matrix of oppressive dynamics which hurt Mother.'
Evangeline Rand, Ph.D., author of Recovering Feminine Spirituality and C.G. Jung as Artisan
'In this insightful and necessary book, Brooke Laufer's clear mind, impeccable research, wisdom of experience, and compassionate heart draw us into the depths of modern expression of the Death Mother archetype, while passionately advocating for restoring the Dark Mother to her place in the wholeness of the Great Mother archetype. This wonderful book is essential reading for women, humanity, and the spirit of our time.' Violet Sherwood,
PhD, author of Haunted: The Death Mother Archetype
'Brooke Laufer ventures into the forbidding and important territory of the infanticidal mother, and brings compassion and depth to this most difficult of subjects, inviting us to see these mothers in all their complexity.'
Lisa Marchiano,
LCSW, NCPsyA, author of Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself
, and The Vital Spark: Reclaim Your Outlaw Energies and Find Your Feminine Fire
'Equipped with solid scholarly research methods and a warm sensible heart, Dr. Laufer is a pioneer who ventures into the depths of horrors of infanticide to provide us the voice of the mother who kills. This is an excellent comprehensive book for practitioners as well as researchers.'
Dr. Orit Sônia Waisman,
author of Body, Language and Meaning in Conflict Situations
