Shy: A Memoir

Shy.It's a shy word, a timid little word that begs to remain unnoticed. Only three letters long, and itbegins with an exhortation to silence. Shhh. Reserved is different. It's for tall men with juttingjaws. Prime ministers can appear reserved- never shy. Restrained carries itself with dignity.Even introvert has a whiff of authority about it- these people have been tested; Myers and Briggshave awarded them an impressive three-syllable psychological label. But with shy there's noauthority, no control. It's a blushing, hunching word; a nervous, knock-kneed, wallflower word. Aword for children, not grown-ups, because surely grown-ups grow out of shyness. Don't they?Sian Prior has maintained a career in the public eye, as a broadcaster and performer, for morethan twenty years. For far longer than that she has suffered from excruciating shyness.Eventually, after bolting from a party in a state of near-panic, she decides to investigate hercondition. What is it-shyness? Where did hers come from? Why does it create such distressingturmoil beneath her assured professional front?As Sian begins to research the science of social anxiety, other factors present themselves asfacets of the problem. Family, intimate friendships, self-perception and fear and longing and theconsequences of love... While, in counterpoint, there is the security, the sense of belonging, shefinds in the life she shares with Tom, her famous partner. Until he tells her he is leaving.Shy- A Memoir-frank, provocative, remarkable in its clarity and beautifully written-is a bookabout unease- about questioning who you are and evading the answer. It is about grief, andabandonment and loss. It is about how the simple word shy belies the complex reality of whatthat really means.

“'A fascinating meditation on how temperament can shape a person's life.'”

'A fascinating meditation on how temperament can shape a person’s life.' Books+Publishing
'A fascinating and engaging read.' Readings Monthly
'Charming and beautifully evoked...' Weekend Australian
‘The book interweaves psychological theory with personal experience in an intelligent and sophisticated manner...Shy is also a finely observed piece of writing. Prior captures details with prose equal to a skilled novelist...a deeply satisfying inquiry into the nature of self.' Saturday Paper
'A memoir that's heartfelt, sometimes entertaining, occasionally moving, and broadly informative.' Otago Daily Times
'Shy: A Memoir is warm and objective, funny and sad, and philosophical and informative...based on the beauty of this book, Prior could clearly write brilliantly about anything she likes...Shy is a book that you will want to simultaneously devour in one sitting and yet savour for weeks. It is at once genuinely intimate and yet universal in its application. It is the type of effortless read that must have taken a great deal of effort to write.' 4.5 out of 5 stars Arts Hub
‘Shy is a dynamic read…A book that rolls and moves and draws you along for the ride.’ Writer’s Edit

Sian Prior is a journalist and broadcaster specialising in the arts and popular culture, a media consultant, and a teacher at universities and writers centres. She has a second career as a musician and recording artist.

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