Cards of Identity

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Cards Of Identity is a 1955 novel by Nigel Dennis. A scathing satire of psychology, identity theory and class prejudice, the novel is centred around the 'Identity Club', a group of psychologists who meet annually to present 'case histories' promoting their chosen theory of identity, which are, in fact, fictional representations of a character in line with their theoretical biases, rather than analyses of real patients. Surrounding this plot is an equally compelling story of the local townspeople who are brainwashed into servants for the convention, and end the book with a show-stopping Shakespearian play. The novel has gained more attention in Britain recently as the debate over a British identity card bill rages.