Review: The Inkblots: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of Seeing

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

This is an absolutely fascinating read. Searls has more than done his research, actually gaining access to materials no one else had been able to use before. This allowed him to create an incredibly comprehensive and well-rounded account of Rorschach himself, how his inkblots came to be, and what they have meant for society throughout the years.

Searls shows all sides of the famous test, from the positives to the negatives. He uses real world examples to bring home just how impactful those seemingly-simple (though actually complex) inkblots can be. Through discussions of how the use of and belief in Rorschach's test has changed, Searls allows his readers to see how nothing is infallible or perfect---but also how some marks on a paper have the potential to give humanity great insights into themselves and the world around them.

I did occasionally have trouble completely understanding a few of the sections where things got very scientific. But this did not take away from my enjoyment of a unique and fascinating story.