Lost in the Reflecting Pool: Surviving Narcissistic Emotional Abuse

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By SM Harrison

Author, Diane Pomerantz, is brave and honest in her memoir, Lost in the Reflecting Pool. It's a great example of how strong the human spirit can be even when there are wounds that can't be seen. That being said, this is more than just a personal story. It's also a deep look at psychological trauma, a strong reminder that healing is possible, even after a deep betrayal, and an urgent call to understand how sly emotional abuse can be.

Pomerantz writes in a simple, clear-eyed way. She is very honest about how she feels in her writing, which takes readers through both deeply personal and universal truths. Her story is so well told that it flows smoothly from hope to heartbreak, from being close to being alone, and from being strong to breaking down. She writes with a beautiful quietness that makes the truths stand out even more.

At its core, the memoir deals with issues of narcissistic abuse, women's right to be independent, and the complicated relationship between personal identity and romantic involvement. Pomerantz, a child psychologist, writes about her relationship with Charles, a man who seems nice on the outside but is manipulative and unnerving. As their marriage unfolds, the reader witnesses a subtle but chilling transformation that mirrors the classic cycle of psychological abuse. Her concurrent battle with breast cancer intensifies the emotional terrain, yet also deepens the book’s central message: that survival often demands a reckoning not just with illness, but with the people we trust most.

Lost in the Reflecting Pool sparks immediate emotions that remain long after you finish reading it. Pomerantz makes the reader deeply feel not only her own pain, but also the pain of the millions of people whose traumas are hidden from view. We can see how easily intelligence and professional success can be pushed to the background by force and regulation by her story. As a mirror or a lifeline, this memoir may help many people.

Reading Lost in the Reflecting Pool is a must for anyone who likes memoirs that challenge, educate, and ultimately inspire. It is an amazing feat of telling the truth in a story and being emotionally honest.

About the Author

Diane Pomerantz

Dr. Diane C. Pomerantz is a seasoned clinical psychologist and author based in Towson, Maryland, with over 40 years of experience in the field. She specializes in individual, couples, and family psychotherapy, addressing a wide range of issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, parenting challenges, and relationship difficulties. Dr. Pomerantz also leads "Healing Through Writing" groups, which utilize expressive writing as a therapeutic tool to process experiences and foster healing. ​

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Pomerantz has contributed to the field through her writing. She is the author of the memoir Lost in the Reflecting Pool, which recounts her personal journey through a marriage to an abusive narcissist and her subsequent path to healing. The book has been recognized with several awards, including the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award and the 2018 Foreword Indies Award. ​

Dr. Pomerantz holds a Ph.D. in psychology and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital, focusing on intensive inpatient psychotherapy with adults. She has also served on the staff at Sheppard-Pratt for a decade, providing both long-term and short-term therapy. Her professional experience extends to consulting roles with Baltimore County Public Schools and other organizations.