Spitfire Review: Confessions of a Sociopath by M. E. Thomas.

I bought my first copy of Confessions of a Sociopath when it was released in 2013. When I’d finished reading it I lent the book out to a friend who failed to return it. This, of course, is an unforgivable sin and although I’ve since lost contact with the said friend I’ve yet to forget. Anyway, I’ve purchased another copy and re-read the book and thought it would be perfect for a Spitfire Review.

Confessions of a Sociopath is the story of the author’s life, from childhood to time of writing as a sociopath in modern society.  She explains how being a sociopath has its advantages and disadvantages when compared to a normal human being. Please note that the book talks about Sociopaths and not Psychopaths. They are two very different groups of people. To simplify, the difference is that Psychopaths don’t understand the difference between right and wrong, Sociopaths understand this difference but choose to ignore it. (Side note: Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes in the BBC show Sherlock is not a “high functioning sociopath”. Experts agree that the character is portrayed with signs of autism and little signs of being either a psychopath or sociopath.)

I found Confessions of a Sociopath fascinating. It was like looking at the world through someone else’s eyes.  The author has a completely different mind-set. To her, people are divided into two groups. Those that benefit the author and those that do not. I won’t say that when a sociopath has got what they wanted from a friend they cut off all contact (maybe the friend I mentioned had sociopathic traits?). They allow the friendship to decay. At some points the book is entertaining. Sociopaths loves the thrill and adrenaline of doing something dangerous. The author, M.E. Thomas feels like a bad guy you can’t help but root for.

It is a common myth that sociopaths do not feel emotion. The truth is that they don’t feel many negative emotions this includes empathy. This is made clear in the opening chapter when the author recalls the time she allowed an animal to drown in her swimming pool simply because saving it would bring no benefit to her. Sociopaths also enjoy the thrill of relationships. The back cover of my copy of the book reads…

I like people. I like to touch them, to mould them and to ruin them. 

I find the act of manipulating other people’s emotions cruel. This proves I am human, a sociopath would not feel this way. I’m certain that some of the points and stories in the book are embellished as sociopaths have a high opinion of themselves but it was a thrilling read regardless.

I’ll award Confessions of a Sociopaths nine masks out of ten.

Have you read Confessions of a Sociopath? Do you think you know someone who could be a sociopath? Leave your comments down below and I’ll see you next time.