CARDS OF IDENTITY

A scathing satire of psychology, identity theory, and class prejudice, Cards of Identity is centered around the Identity Club, a group of psychologists who meet annually to present "case histories" promoting their chosen theory of identity. These case studies (three of which are presented in the novel) are not scientific treatises, but fictional representations of a character in line with each psychologist's theoretical biases. In fact, members of the Identity Club aren't allowed to interact with patients when creating their stories. Surrounding the plot of this annual meeting is an equally compelling story of the local townspeople who are brainwashed and transformed into servants for the convention, and who end the book with a showstopping Shakespearian play.