This is a preview of the Shortform book summary of Everything Nothing Someone by Alice Carrière.
Read Full Summary

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Everything Nothing Someone

The influence her family's dysfunction had on her personal development.

Alice Carrière's formative years were deeply shaped by growing up in an environment where her mother pursued a career as an unorthodox artist, and her father, a capricious European actor, also resided.

The author's early years were molded by the creative impact of her mother, Jennifer Bartlett, an artist, and the sporadic involvement of her European actor father.

Alice Carrière spent her early years in a setting that lacked the usual constraints imposed by adults.

Her early years were molded by the artistic and unconventional inclinations of her mother. Her mother's creative essence was evident throughout the home, influencing all aspects from the selection of home furnishings to the style of the drinkware, transforming the entire space into an embodiment of creativity. The author's personal tastes were scarcely noticeable, as she was deeply immersed in the artistic world that also encompassed her mother's life. Her mother's large canvas paintings enveloped her from a young age, and the frequent presence of artists blurred the lines between her youthful environment and the realm of adults. The invasion of the writer's private realm emphasized a lack of respect for her confidentiality.

The writer's struggle to establish a unique self amidst the harmful patterns of her family relationships.

The author's independence found it challenging to thrive in the non-traditional family setting, which lacked a traditional framework. Alice Carrière's early life experiences failed to provide her with essential skills for practical living, leaving her unprepared to handle unforeseen situations or difficulties. Her love for the arts and cultural impacts was molded by the fervor inherited from her parents.

The author's relationship with her father deteriorated significantly because of his behavior, which was quite unbecoming.

The author endured sexual misconduct from her father, which involved disturbing comments and a distressing photography session.

The writer's dad, a socially active actor, frequently introduced her to unsettling scenarios that blended warmth with disconcerting sexual nuances. He made inappropriate comments about her body and behaved strangely, proposing that they simulate a romantic relationship...

Want to learn the ideas in Everything Nothing Someone better than ever?

Unlock the full book summary of Everything Nothing Someone by signing up for Shortform.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x better by:

  • Being 100% clear and logical: you learn complicated ideas, explained simply
  • Adding original insights and analysis, expanding on the book
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
READ FULL SUMMARY OF EVERYTHING NOTHING SOMEONE

Here's a preview of the rest of Shortform's Everything Nothing Someone summary:

Everything Nothing Someone Summary The writer's personal journey through episodes of disconnection, a splintered sense of self, and psychological challenges.

Alice, an author, recounts her personal journey characterized by phases of disconnection, the disintegration of her sense of self, and her battles for mental health stability. Her narratives offer profound understanding of the complex aspects of a fragmented self-awareness and are influential in molding a person's sense of identity.

The writer's spiral into a condition that obliterates her personal identity.

The writer's struggle to stay connected to the real world while experiencing the intense and bewildering feeling of being detached from one's surroundings.

Alice frequently described her behavior as though it belonged to another person, recounting her experiences in a manner that appeared to narrow the distance to an elusive personal identity. In moments when her own hands seemed foreign, she would passionately narrate the events of her life to reassert her sense of self. She managed her challenges by recounting her existence as though it were a story, observing herself from a detached viewpoint when she felt deeply estranged from her personal narrative, physical being, and extremities.

The author's self-harming behavior was a distressing attempt to grasp...

Try Shortform for free

Read full summary of Everything Nothing Someone

Sign up for free

Everything Nothing Someone Summary The writer's turbulent quests for romantic bonds and efforts to establish connections

The author delves into her tumultuous romantic relationships and her continuing search for a meaningful connection, navigating through dynamics of addiction, abuse, and ultimately, transformative love.

The author's partnership was characterized by harmful dependency and abuse.

The author's relationship with Paul, marked by reliance and maltreatment, was further complicated by the appeal of their distinguished social circle, comprising models and eminent personalities from the realms of fashion photography, film, and the music industry. This bond instilled a sense of distinctiveness and inclusion, yet it was equally tainted by anxiety, a drive to leave a mark, and actions that were not genuine.

The writer's attempts to preserve their bond grew stronger even as Paul's mental and physical well-being declined.

The author demonstrated a deep commitment to maintaining their bond, despite the deterioration of Paul's mental and physical well-being. He controlled aspects of her appearance, from hair straightening to weight loss demands, reflecting a toxic dynamic. The unhealthy relationship was further exacerbated by substance abuse, which was financially supported by both...

What Our Readers Say

This is the best summary of How to Win Friends and Influence People I've ever read. The way you explained the ideas and connected them to other books was amazing.
Learn more about our summaries →