In this raw and unflinching meditation on growing up in the digital age, Jane-Marie Auret explores the soul-deep crisis facing Generation Z. Through an artful blend of memoir and fiction, she chronicles a generation raised by screens, shaped by algorithms, and searching for meaning in a world that has traded spiritual wisdom for psychological diagnoses.
At the intersection of her Arab grandmother’s ancient wisdom and modern therapy culture, Auret uncovers a profound truth: while we’ve gained infinite digital connections, we’ve lost touch with our souls. From the disintegration of family bonds to the hypersexualization of youth, from digital addiction to gender confusion, she maps the invisible wounds of a generation floating untethered in cyberspace.
This isn’t just another critique of social media—it’s a deeply personal reckoning with the price we pay for digital immersion. Auret weaves together stories of peers lost to suicide, addiction, and identity crises, alongside her own journey from moral uncertainty to spiritual awakening. Her narrative bridges cultures and generations, contrasting her grandmother’s soulful understanding of human nature with the clinical language of modern mental health.
“Screens And The Ego” speaks directly to young women who feel trapped between curated online personas and authentic selfhood. With unflinching honesty and poetic insight, Auret offers both a warning about digital age alienation and a pathway back to genuine human connection. This is a meditation on loss, a prayer for renewal, and ultimately, a guide to reclaiming one’s soul in an increasingly virtual world.
Editorial Review ★★★★★
In this powerful fusion of memoir and cultural commentary, Jane-Marie Auret delivers a profound examination of digital-age alienation through the unique lens of cross-generational wisdom. By weaving together personal narrative, cultural observation, and spiritual insight, she creates a compelling exploration of what it means to come of age in an era dominated by screens and algorithms.
What sets this work apart is its masterful integration of different cultural perspectives. Auret’s ability to contrast her Arab grandmother’s traditional wisdom with modern therapeutic approaches creates a rich framework for examining contemporary issues. This dual perspective allows her to explore digital-age challenges with both ancient insight and modern understanding.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its intimate portrayal of Generation Z’s struggles with identity and connection. Through carefully crafted narratives of personal and peer experiences, Auret illuminates the complex challenges facing young people navigating between digital and authentic selves. Her exploration of mental health, identity formation, and spiritual seeking in the digital age feels both personally honest and universally relevant.
Particularly impressive is the author’s handling of sensitive topics like youth mental health and digital addiction. Rather than offering simple criticisms of technology, Auret delves deeper into questions of meaning and connection. Her analysis of how digital immersion affects spiritual and psychological development provides valuable insights for both young people and those who care for them.
The writing demonstrates remarkable maturity, balancing poetic sensitivity with cultural analysis. Auret’s voice remains authentic and engaging whether discussing personal struggles or broader societal trends. Her ability to bridge generational and cultural gaps while maintaining narrative coherence creates a work that speaks to readers across age groups.
“Screens and The Ego” stands as an important contribution to our understanding of digital-age development, offering both timely cultural critique and timeless wisdom about human connection and meaning.
