The Schopenhauer Cure

Jan 09, 2009

Athena rated it

“Would you wiling to repeat the precise life you have lived again and again throughout eternity?”

Being confronted with cancer and his own death the psychotherapist Julius Hertzferd, try to re-examine his life and work. For reasons that he cannot clearly understands he seeks out Philip Slate, a sex-addict and old patient, which he failed to help. Philip, now a doctor of philosophy, claims to have been cured with the help of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. He says that he wants to...more“Would you wiling to repeat the precise life you have lived again and again throughout eternity?”

Being confronted with cancer and his own death the psychotherapist Julius Hertzferd, try to re-examine his life and work. For reasons that he cannot clearly understands he seeks out Philip Slate, a sex-addict and old patient, which he failed to help. Philip, now a doctor of philosophy, claims to have been cured with the help of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. He says that he wants to be a philosophical therapist, and asks Julius to tutor him. Philip’s misanthropic stance poses a challenge to Julius and he invites him to join his therapy group for six months in exchange for his tutoring in counselling.

The group’s therapy sessions illustrate the interpersonal dynamics and the problems in human relations. Sexuality, betrayal, fear of aging, forgiveness, self-delusion and morality, powerful emotions and feelings, separate and connect the members of the group, shape their characters and their relations.

Through Philip, philosophy and especially Schopenhauer’s ideas are developing throughout the book. His life and philosophy are intertwined in a brilliant way with the group’s interpersonal relations, the unrevealing of their secrets and deepest emotions.

Irvin Yalom very cleverly, allows his characters to be developed in a gradual way; the process of exposure is slow, sometimes very painful and heavily emotional. Reading the book, I caught myself being attached to some of the characters, especially to untouchable Philip. His persistence to preciseness and speech intelligibility, his cleverness and self-possession in contrast to his lack of empathy and interpersonal skills - I wouldn’t say misanthropism – form an enticing and seemingly strong personality. Only, when his secret is revealed, the flaws in his philosophical armour exposed him to his real self, a man full of rage, shocking lonely, a man that no one has ever loved him.

In a truthful and powerful manner, Yalom, who has had a long involvement with therapy groups, show that emotional accessibility is the key to build bonds and organise attachment behaviour with others. It is a great reading.(less)

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Dec 14, 2008

James rated it

Shelves: study-group, philosophical-fiction, psychology

This is a novel of ideas by Irvin D. Yalom. Given its' title the publisher decided that it would be useful to add the words "a novel" at the top of the front cover; presumably so that it would not be confused with self-help psychology or philosophy texts.
The "novel" portrays the operation of group therapy under the direction of Julius Hertzfeld, an experienced therapist, at the center of the novel. But it also contains contrasting chapters highlighting the life and thou...more

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Nov 18, 2008

Abailart rated it

Shelves: fiction

Irvin Yalom, The Schopehahauer Cure

This is a lovely novel. Its apparently ridiculous ending is not so: it is a wink from the other side of the grave, a fatuous and caring slice of the humour by which we warm ourselves against death, perhaps Schopenhauer’s wink and rare shy smile. In fact, it is a brilliantly constructed novel of ideas. It’s theatrical in that most of the action takes place in a group therapy session, one set (with moveable furniture it turns out), and theatrical in i...more

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Mar 11, 2008

Christy rated it

Shelves: favorites

I absolutely adore Irvin Yalom. He manages to mix philosophical contemplation with psychological analysis while narrating a fantastic story that was actually almost a tear-jerker in the end. This book is absolutely perfect.

As for the plot, a former sex offender claims to have cured himself on the philosophies of Schopenhauer, although his skeptical therapist is unconvinced, offering to swap his own group therapy for a consideration of this magical cure.

There's nothing I...more

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Jan 09, 2012

Jennifer Smith rated it

Schopenhauer Cure is a book that lives right at the corner of book nerd street and therapy nerd avenue. I gave it 4 stars because, coincidently, I live on that same corner. Irvin Yalom is more or less the reigning Godfather of group therapy and has written extensively in the field, both in educational theory/practice and fictional "teaching novels". A lot of my appreciation for this novel had to do with reading it for class in conjunction with Yalom's text book "Theory and Practic...moreSchopenhauer Cure is a book that lives right at the corner of book nerd street and therapy nerd avenue. I gave it 4 stars because, coincidently, I live on that same corner. Irvin Yalom is more or less the reigning Godfather of group therapy and has written extensively in the field, both in educational theory/practice and fictional "teaching novels". A lot of my appreciation for this novel had to do with reading it for class in conjunction with Yalom's text book "Theory and Practice of Group Therapy". It was interesting to read how his teaching about group is manifest in his fictional account of doing group. Schopenhauer Cure is one of his teaching novels and chronicles the life of a group led by Julius, Yalom's fictional group leader, who finds out he is dying of skin cancer at the beginning of the novel. Julius seeks out a previously unsuccessful client, Phillip Slate, who has become heavily involved in the work of Arthur Schopenhauer, nineteenth century philosopher, schizoid extraordinaire who is apparently responsible for everything depressing nietzsche wrote. The novel switches between chapters about the developing life of the group and a description biography of Schopenhauer. (The final assignment in this class was to write a reflection paper on this novel. One of my classmates said their first sentence would read, "Schopenhauer is miserable fuck. Correction, miserable boring fuck".) This juxtaposition really reinforces the difference between the principles of group therapy (here and now communication, the inherent importance of human relationships) and the principles of Schopenhauer's work (life is a miserable shit show, stay off the grid, avoid the humans, etc). The book's final scene in group was especially well-written and poignant, so much so that I'm pretty sure I even cried a little as I read it. I dont' book cry very much, so chalk one up for Yalom. If you are at all interested in group therapy, this is a great read. If are at all interested in Schopenhauer, this is an okay read. If you're not interested in either of these things, it might be kind of slow-going for you.(less)

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Jul 20, 2011

J rated it

Great premise but poorly structured. Jumps from one character to another without every going back or providing closure.
Some characters become major players and others do not - but its not clear who will be which and it varies from section to section.
I found the chapters on Schopenhauer's life and philosophy distracting - they didn't mirror the plot of the book but didn't serve it either. It felt like every other chapter was an aside or commercial rather than adding breadth or depth t...more

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Apr 05, 2011

Sarah Puglisi rated it

(maybe this has something you might find a spoiler)
When I started this work I had several things on my mind. Interestingly it allowed me to process them. Or some of them. I've confronted jarring realizations of mortality, failure in some relating, and a desire to understand or evolve aspects of myself over the past few years. That may be universal, for me it was accelerated by ill health. So I appreciate that this book of Yalom's is about a group therapy setting, several people confronting...more(maybe this has something you might find a spoiler)
When I started this work I had several things on my mind. Interestingly it allowed me to process them. Or some of them. I've confronted jarring realizations of mortality, failure in some relating, and a desire to understand or evolve aspects of myself over the past few years. That may be universal, for me it was accelerated by ill health. So I appreciate that this book of Yalom's is about a group therapy setting, several people confronting themselves/the pending death of their leader/ in that therapy format and interestingly as counterpoint explicates Schopenhauer (and other major themes) in this author/therapist/doctors working life woven into the story quite nicely. If you read Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death, it seems to be written echoing that work.

Rather than summarize it, I'll just say I appreciate his placing the therapy into a setting that allows me to understand it better-how it works- through the relationships described, with all the emotional possibility-it riveted me frankly. I kept flipping in and out of an awareness that like a dream where dreamer invents all the pieces-the book and characters all represent aspects of the author. I think that awareness of author is aided now because I've read several of his works, at least one with this same therapist character. I then could use this to process things having to do with my own way of dealing with grief, experiences burdening me from facing death, and in my case with guilt.
And rejection that occurred to jumble all of this, a several year old injury of heart, that intruded into a very difficult life period.

I respect the thought of a group coming together and helping one another. I have a hard time in my world imagining people as bright as these and forthright, this seems to me to be how it once was over the dynamics I run into now. But anyway they are together here to build relationships and practice for this relating in life-they are skill building in a therapy practice so that in life they can be more aware. I think the book pulls you into that process. This is facilitated by creating a therapist and his alter ego -it's a great device he uses to write. We meet a patient this therapist Julian feels he failed in therapy years before as he sets out to consider his life through his patients and he takes on someone he is afraid he failed. Think, has he had an affect. And eventually together these two honor life.

(I knew this place of mind -my first thought growing ill of teaching was of those kids I started out with not yet skilled enough to help)

When I fell very ill a number of years ago I tried to write a text about teaching, this echoed with me as well as knowing that the person that hurt me-much like a character in the story-was one of two people I allowed to see that. Someone who never said a word to me about it except that maybe one day they'd have "time enough" to look at it. Boy, the hurt we have to process.
To capture things I'd learned and experienced was why I wrote, really to look to see if I'd had meaning in my life, as I brought to a more conscious place my fear of death, and experience of understanding it, as I dealt with medical stuff, so on.

Here I found many things echoed of that. I see through this my own ability to perceive some of the themes of life, things he has learned and is distilling as wisdom to assist you in dealing with death. Great to consider this through the book. I'm sorry to be so self referential. I believe the book invites you to that process.

I liked that in the book a woman that was wronged brings herself to tell the man who did this to her that she could have loved him, that to her -he was so beautiful. That they do, in fact, develop a relationship because they have been afforded that opportunity through some very remarkable accidents.
I learned too that sexual energy can be a response to death experiences-very helpful.

This is a quickly dashed review. The book a good story about a character, a therapist,
Yalom has written before about this thinly veiled autobiographically informed fictional therapist, graciously sharing about his own death to free us to live.
I admit it was sad to see him go. (less)

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May 07, 2010

Joanne rated it

Upon discovering, after a routine check-up that he has just “one good year” of life remaining to him, Julius Hertzfeld decides to spend it by continuing to do the work he loves, psychotherapy. But he feels the need to satisfy himself that, in doing this work, he is truly helpful to his patients. And then he remembers Philip Slater, a sex addict, and the one patient with whom he had made no progress whatsoever, despite three years of regular sessions. Sought out by Julius, after 22 years, Phil...moreUpon discovering, after a routine check-up that he has just “one good year” of life remaining to him, Julius Hertzfeld decides to spend it by continuing to do the work he loves, psychotherapy. But he feels the need to satisfy himself that, in doing this work, he is truly helpful to his patients. And then he remembers Philip Slater, a sex addict, and the one patient with whom he had made no progress whatsoever, despite three years of regular sessions. Sought out by Julius, after 22 years, Philip claims to have cured himself, based on the philosophical teachings of Arthur Schopenhauer. And to Julius’ great surprise – and horror! – Philip, once a brilliant chemist, has decided to become a psychotherapist himself, and wants Julius to supervise him. Julius agrees, conditional on Philip’s joining his intensive therapy group. The story unfolds in alternating chapters describing the process of that therapy group and those describing the life and thought of Schopenhauer.

Both Philip and his philosophical hero are extreme rationalists, pessimists and misanthropists. Philip’s cure, it seems, has been possible because he has taught himself not to feel anything. How then is he to be a psychotherapist!? Nevertheless, over the weeks, Philip seems to earn the respect of all but one of the group members, and suddenly seems to threaten Julius’ role in the group. Furthermore, Pam, who is absent when he first joins the group, has some history with Philip, which results in that history, and ongoing conflict being played out in the group. Meanwhile, the group’s time together, and Julius’ time on earth are gradually running out.

Yalom, who is himself a psychotherapist, offers us brilliant insights into the dynamics of actual group therapy. He also explores the history of psychotherapy, revealing that much of Freud’s work was based on philosophers like Schopenhauer. This book explores those philosophies, the dynamics of human relationship, and the meaning of life. Yet, while exploring very complex and serious content, it does so in a most entertaining way! It’s a real page-turner.
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Aug 02, 2011

Sónia rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: owned

Estava à espera de mais, mas mesmo assim não posso dizer que não gostei…gostei muito mais do “Quando Nietzsche Chorou ” sem qualquer comparação….mas este livro é interessante, aprendi alguma coisa e fez-me pensar…no entanto, o fim é tão previsível!!....penso que merece uma leitura mas sem muitas expectativas.
………..mas o que irritou imenso foi a má qualidade da tradução e revisão do texto (ou ausência dela!!)….por favor, dá para não ter tantos erros idiotas de português?!...mas ninguém lê i...more

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Sep 15, 2009

Bob Nichols rated it

Yalom's book poses a strong challenge to modes of psychotherapy that rely upon emotional connection and reaction to the therapist and therapy group members. Having failed with this approach, Yalom's central character, a sex addict (Philip), pursues a different path. Philip relies on the insights of Schopenhauer's philosophy (the Will as life force, i.e., sex drive) for his cure. Schopenhauer's cure for the implacable force of the Will, in turn, relies heavily on ancient Indian thought that put...moreYalom's book poses a strong challenge to modes of psychotherapy that rely upon emotional connection and reaction to the therapist and therapy group members. Having failed with this approach, Yalom's central character, a sex addict (Philip), pursues a different path. Philip relies on the insights of Schopenhauer's philosophy (the Will as life force, i.e., sex drive) for his cure. Schopenhauer's cure for the implacable force of the Will, in turn, relies heavily on ancient Indian thought that puts wanting and desire on the back burner. That approach of denial helps Philip but removes him from people. Yet, the importance of that connection ultimately wins out as Philip turns from a socially disconnected individual into a bit of a "good ol' boy" therapist who, we presume, becomes a fuller human being who has parked his Schopenhauer persona deep in the corner, perhaps for good. It's a victory for emotion-based therapy, but it's too happy of an ending. A strength of this book lies in its clear, top-of-the-line articulation of Schopenhauer's philosophy. Schopenhauer's powerful influence on Philip continues until the very end when, through one carthartic momment, Philip becomes a real (socially connected) person. In a significant subtext to the novel, Yalom draws out the parallels between Schopenhauer's life and his philosophy on the one hand, and Philip's life and philosophy on the other. That's a legitimate line of inquiry but seems to be overdone in this book given the evident power of Schopenhauer's thought regardless of his personal shortcomings. Given the strong role that Schopenhauer's philosophy played in Philip's therapy, the ending suggests that this gets tossed aside in favor of emotional engagement. Miserable as Schopenhauer may have been in his personal life, there's room for his intellectual insights in therapy, and there's room in Schopenhauer for passion, love and connection. Yalom's ending is too flat, abrupt, and unconvincing given all that he wrote before. (less)

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Dec 10, 2009

Ashley Lowe rated it

This is the third Irvin Yalom book I've read in the last few months. The more I read, the more I am addicted. He turns philosophy, psychology, and even a vipassana meditation retreat into page-turning, emotionally engaging fiction. Reading his books is almost like going through therapy myself. Somehow, Yalom invokes some of the most pessimistic, miserable philosophers ever living, and uses their ideas and lives as inspiration to write life-affirming stories.

This particular book s...more

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Jul 28, 2011

Patrice Maltais added it

I had no expectations going in. A very good friend of mine lent me the book thinking I'd like it. She was right. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the dynamics of the group and the pace of the storytelling. I'm not as fond of the Schopenhauer mini-biography however. It informs on where his ideas stemmed from, but in breaks the pace of the book in its second half. Overall, a good read. Even better if you aspire to be a therapist, I would think (which I'm not, but I'm assuming it would be - th...more

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Nov 20, 2008

Tiger rated it

The characters were such unlikable jerks it was difficult to sludge through the stooopid plot ... much much better were the biographical chapters about Herr Schopenhauer's life and times!

And the dialogue! Who talks like that? But I suppose it is likely that people in therapy groups might babble like that. The author is talented but could use a lot more humor and media references to spice up the text. I would have liked to see how Britney Spears changed the group's dynamics for e...more

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Aug 06, 2011

Sabine added it · review of another edition

J'ai fini La méthode Schopenhauer mais je crois que je commence à me poser un nombre impressionnant de questions mais c'est le propre de la philo non ?

Pour quelqu'un comme moi qui s'est senti imperméable à la philosophie et au monde de la psychothérapie en dehors de Woody Allen, c'est un livre qui me fait plonger dans une sacrée marmite.

Je ne crois pas que j'aurais lu en toute conscience la biographie de Schopenhauer mais là, ça se fait en douceur à coup d'un chapitre sur deux, entrecoupé de la ...more

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Oct 12, 2011

Wynne Kontos rated it

I was required to read this in my social work group class in my Master's program. At first, Yalom's narration was so arrogant that I could hardly enjoy it. But I warmed up. The book follows Julius, an experienced therapist who has recently been told he has one year left to live. Julius looks up Philip, an old patient who he failed to help with a sexual addiction. A series of events transpire that place Philip, a cold, seemingly unfeeling man in Julius' long term therapy group. The book switches ...more

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Feb 03, 2011

Kristen rated it

I really enjoyed this book, and loved my reintroduction to Schopenhauer, of which I had only had a brief overview in my Philosophy courses in college. Enjoyed the writing, and was pleasantly surprised that an author who normally writes textbooks was able to transfer easily to a fictional genre. A great introduction to group therapy, and my only pick was the slightly unrealistic dialogue of the members of the group (some of the women's voices seemed inauthentic to me; the different voices of th...more

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Sep 02, 2010

Ronny rated it

Shelves: philosophy, psychology

This is a book that seemed to speak to me. There is too much of Philip in me, and reading this book provided a jolt I needed to check my course.

Philip came off as a jerk, albeit a knowledgeable one.

Julius came off as caring, but a bit egotistical about his practice.

Some of the group therapy patients came off as a bit infantile. It was almost as if the outlet for emotions became an excuse for venting and narcissism instead of learning to deal with it.

...more

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Sep 03, 2008

Wendy Perry rated it

I know a book was good when I miss the characters for a few days after I finish the book.

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Oct 04, 2009

Vardit rated it

From reading the blurb of “The Schopenhauer Cure” I thought the book would be a very “heavy” read, tackling issues of philosophy, psychotherapy, morality and meaning.

However, in reality, what I found was a tender story about a group of people who meet weekly for group therapy sessions, and find these meetings to have a profound impact on how they live their lives. A gorgeous book, I became totally immersed in the story, and have to say that by the end, I was really affected by the ...more

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Mar 22, 2009

Dory rated it

Irvin Yalom's love of therapy, especially the profoundly personal benefits that group therapy can bring, is apparent throughout this book. It tells the personal tales of various group members as they share their joys and sorrows over the years (including the group leader's news that he has terminal cancer). It's very realistic, portraying how we often wish to avoid being honest with ourselves, but also how very important our insights can be for others if they are willing to let us in, to trus...more

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Apr 25, 2011

Richard rated it

This book holds many fascinations: the inevitability of death, the dynamic inner workings of group therapy, strategies to avoid/deal with "Life is Suffering", philosophical biography, and redemption. The energy and excitement of a group of characters in direct emotional contact, often conflict, was executed with craft and clarity. I was very enthused to have the juxtaposition of learning about Schopenhauer, the man and his philosophy played against the emotional turmoil of group therap...more

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Jan 24, 2012

Splash Of Our Worlds *Yiota* added it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. To begin with this is Yalom's first book that I read and the reason is my teacher at the university, she always suggests great books, like “Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” so I followed her advice! She suggested I should start from “The Schopenhauer Cure” and then read Yalom's other books like “When Nietzsche Wept ” and I think she was right, so if you decide to read Yalom start from this book, because you will get a good picture about his writing style, it is an easy read, enjoyable,...moreTo begin with this is Yalom's first book that I read and the reason is my teacher at the university, she always suggests great books, like “Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” so I followed her advice! She suggested I should start from “The Schopenhauer Cure” and then read Yalom's other books like “When Nietzsche Wept ” and I think she was right, so if you decide to read Yalom start from this book, because you will get a good picture about his writing style, it is an easy read, enjoyable, and reflects group therapy at its best.

First of all there are two very different protagonists in this book, a caring, loving, engaging therapist who is dying, but does not give up living and an ex-patient of his who follows Schopenhauer's every word. Many years ago Julius tried to help Philip but he failed, so after he found out about his illness he decided to contact him again. That leads to a series of group therapy sessions, where the members of the group explore their personalities, their perspectives around self awareness, denial, sexuality, forgiveness and mortality.

Moreover the book is generally divided in chapters about the group therapy and Schopenhauer's life. The writings and the life of Schopenhauer are skilfully woven through the book but the writing remains balanced and interesting. This book is not only a story about some people, but also you can learn about the life and work of one of the greatest philosophers of all times. Many people may not like Schopenhauer, because of his crippling personality and the fact that he thought he was superior than most of the people, but even with his emotional coldness I really liked him. There is one phrase that is written in my mind since I read this book:

“Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see“.

On the other hand the were some things that I did not like, for starters it was a chapter about Pam's (she is one of the other members in the group) experience in India, where she went to meditate and get away from her problems. Also at some points I found the group therapy sessions a little weird, but after I talked with my teacher, she told me that group therapy is like that, so it may seem a little fake but that is how people talk in therapy.. ** SPOILER Finally at the end the way Julius dies is really quick for me, it happens in 3 lines, that was a sock for me, too sudden. SPOILER **

To sum up “The Schopenhauer Cure” is a unique, well-written book that interweaves philosophy and fiction in a stunning way. I recommend it to all of you because there are a lot you can learn and it is one of those books that change the way that we think.(less)

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Aug 17, 2011

Arjun Mishra rated it

Shelves: psychology

Irvin Yalom is the undisputed master of incorporating philosophy with psychology and therapy. Therapy is ostensibly psychological, psychiatric, and financial, but philosophy is key in the process. Philosophy might be the love of wisdom, but it also is concerned with the best way of living. Naturally, a psychotherapist helps his patients and clients to do so. Yalom's strength is telling psychotherapy stories imbued with philosophy.

That plays out in the Schopenhaur Cure through Phillip ...moreIrvin Yalom is the undisputed master of incorporating philosophy with psychology and therapy. Therapy is ostensibly psychological, psychiatric, and financial, but philosophy is key in the process. Philosophy might be the love of wisdom, but it also is concerned with the best way of living. Naturally, a psychotherapist helps his patients and clients to do so. Yalom's strength is telling psychotherapy stories imbued with philosophy.

That plays out in the Schopenhaur Cure through Phillip Slate, who not only is "twin-brained" with the famous German philosopher of the 19th century, he also lives out Arthur's life. Schopenhaur suffered with an immense sexual drive throughout his youth, as did Phillip. Schopenhaur is illustrated as a misanthrope, misogynist, and curmudgeon who chooses to cut himself off from the "bipeds," who are not worthy of his company and intellect. In spite of that, he still produces philosophy for the good of humanity. Many great people of Schopenhaur's disposition: miserable, depressed, forlorn often believed that they had a greater purpose in life to work for the greater interests of humanity. If Schopenhaur were not so brilliant and prolific in scholarly output, he would be definitely insane and a major basket case. I still think he is so, but it seems that his self-imposed isolation and constant darkness were prerequisites to the insights he had.

Phillip does not follow Schopenhaur in his scholarly work, but he reads deeply into Schopenhaurian thought as bibliotherapy. Whereas Julius failed Phillip as a therapist, Arthur's work provides Phillip with the necessary perspicacity to live out his life in the way that works for him. I am not sure why Phillip would give up his previous life (making money as a chemist and having frequent sex does not seem terrible to me because his sexual addiction can be altered, not destroyed). The idea of bibliotherapy is an interesting one to be considered and despite Phillip's self-proclaimed success, I have many doubts about it. It certainly can be incorporated as an aspect of psychotherapy, but I question it as Phillip used it. He became Schopenhaur, devoid of human relationships, feelings, and aspects of being. One need not relinquish all social bonds to gain insight into one self and be self-sufficient. The infusion of "Eastern philosophy" (whatever that is) into Schopenhaur and the characters of this book is clear in that it encourages detaching oneself from people and things in order to curtail suffering. I see that as a faulty idea, as played out by the characters familiar with that philosophy: Pam and Phillip.

I am dismayed at the neglect Yalom showed towards Julius, who should have been just as central as Phillip to the story. Perhaps this is a result of Yalom's belief that a therapist should not insert himself or assert himself onto a group, but the story would be enhanced by Julius making his presence known. After all, the whole encounter with Phillip is prompted by his confrontation with his own morality. Julius's battle with his illness needed to be continued; it was heavy at the beginning and then all but faded away towards the middle and end.

It is worth wondering how much Julius reflects Dr. Yalom. Some very basic comparisons are there (wives have the same name, beliefs in psychotherapy, location).

I did not like the template Yalom created for this novel, that being one of group therapy. When Nietzsche Wept is one of my favorite books and the template in that novel is the interaction between two individuals, doctor and patient. I realize that Julius failed in his individual interaction with Phillip, but I would have appreciate that more than group therapy. Yalom is a believer in group therapy, as evidenced by this book and The Theory and Practice Of Group Psychotherapy, but the characters he created for the group were either totally uninteresting or did not develop in any meaningful way until the end. His advocacy of group therapy did not resonate with me, even though some interesting insights were reached by the characters through the process.

The main weakness is that the dialogue is just unrealistic. Phillip's dialogue suits his character and Julius' dialogue is real enough, if you consider it is Yalom writing for himself. However, the group therapy characters do not engage in any dialogue you would encounter with another person. They speak far too precisely, uncolloquially, and blandly. The actions of the group members are adultery and alcoholism, among others. The dialogue does not match the gravitas of the actions tearing at their lives.

I have now read four Yalom books, and I have to say that this is my least favorite. I found the philosophy of Schopenhaur interesting at the very least. It makes esoteric philosophy palatable when Yalom presents it in this manner. Also, I would caution being ready to read this book. It can be incredibly depressing for the entirety, with the focus on Schopenhaur's and Phillip's pessimism. It is depressing, dark, and sad. (less)

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Nov 19, 2010

Megan Carpenter rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 28, 2007

Paul Finch rated it

Recommends it for: Those interested in group psychotherapy or existentialistm

Shelves: psychologicalwriting

A warning: this is more like a blog of free association than what I learned or my review. As I wrote in my last review of group/existential therapist/author, Irvin Yalom's Reader, thanks to friends Renee OBrien and Rocky Cole, I was finally ready to read some of his books. This was a great place to start to read his novels. Long an advocate of group therapy, but not having done much in many years, it was great to get a review about the power of healing in groups. And then to also get a view of a...moreA warning: this is more like a blog of free association than what I learned or my review. As I wrote in my last review of group/existential therapist/author, Irvin Yalom's Reader, thanks to friends Renee OBrien and Rocky Cole, I was finally ready to read some of his books. This was a great place to start to read his novels. Long an advocate of group therapy, but not having done much in many years, it was great to get a review about the power of healing in groups. And then to also get a view of an existentialist philosophical counselor who is in group of very lovable characters, and the struggle of a dying therapist to make a difference his last year created a great tale to reflect on, etc. And though I don't want to tell the ending in case anyone reads it, it does have a good ending... which is quite extraordinary for existentialism, at least the largely negative version we have been exposed to both in existential philosophy and in films over the last decade or so--as somehow requiring unhappy or meaningless endings in order to appear deep--as if all happy endings equal a lack of depth--at least Hollywood seems to think so with the majority of its good films. I am glad to know that Colin Wilson, who wrote a response and explanation to the negative turn that is still the best (The New Existentialism, and some articles), is still writing about depth and breadth of the human experience AND our capacity for still unknown heights, if we would but discipline our senses to see it. The new atheist turn seems to be the replacements or the second generation of the old suicidal romantics/existentialists who lost their way by letting their human capacity be taken over by boredom, nausea and depression... Too bad Colin Wilson's writings aren't part of pop culture to serve as a tonic to the two choices: fundamentalism with a hidden and unrecognized hatred of anyone different that the liberals (modern day atheists take as proof of their own depressed thoughts being true). Ken Wilber, of course, has a tonic, to get over both inadequacies with his integral model in philosophy and science (He still fails in psychology having that area unfortunately rooted in neo-Freudian negative tooth and claw unconsciousness--you'd think that his exposure to the Enlightened Ones and A Course in Miracles would have helped him see that differently. I did recommend to one of his psychology subject matter experts an alternative (the work of C. Terry Warner and the Arbinger group on self-deception and the unconscious), but I have seen no evidence they ever took me up on looking at an alternative to their Freudian theory--too bad--as evidenced by their journal articles on psychology and psychiatry. Oh well.(less)

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Jan 09, 2008

Tracey Gagne rated it

Recommends it for: group therapists

Recommended to Tracey by: my advanced group professor

I was reluctant to read this, because I'd tried another fiction of Yalom's and definitely did NOT like it-- in fact, I couldn't read it. It was too much like Dean Koontz whose writing I do not like.

But, I really got into this book about dying, group therapy, and the life of German philosopher Schopenhauer, and was fully willing to give it five stars. In fact, I put Lying on the Couch back on my bookshelf, intending to try it again. Then, about twenty pages from the end, I felt com...more

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Jul 15, 2010

Jenny rated it

This book was recommended by a member of my book club.

Irvin D. Yalom writes clearly with meaning, and so the book is "easy to read" even though it grapples with weighty issues - philosophy, psychotheraphy, how to face life and perhaps more importantly, how to face death.

The book flows between the personal challenge of Julius' impending death, the group challenge of how to connect and support each other, and the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer.

Irvin...more

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Jul 18, 2010

Otto Lehto rated it

- an intriguing and thrilling, if somewhat unrealistic tale of life and death.
- contains a wonderful and non-deterministic dialogue between the philosophy of Schopenhauer and the therapeutic practice of contemporary group psychology.
- would recommend to any fan of Schopenhauer
- an absolute page-turner
- light on substance but full of passion, which saves it.
- has the potential (if and when you read it at the right moment) to change and shape your life for the better.

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Jul 08, 2011

Patricio rated it

Long time ago I became a "hypnoreader", just jump in and come out the other side, Like an immersion class. I took my dive with this novel and woke-up suddenly when dear doc himself woke up with a terrible headache and was gone from the face of wherever he was. I held the fifth star of the rating because of the death that seemed like a deus ex machina. Otherwise, I will not talk to any other shrink who has not read this jewel of a human being.

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Jan 22, 2009

Barnaby Thieme rated it

Shelves: fiction

This dreadful, pretentious book is the quintessential vanity project. Its hero, an undisguised version of the author, is a powerful, wise, and beloved therapist who embodies and understands the only possible point of view allowed into the novel's claustrophobic universe. Yalom should have stuck to his magnificent theoretical writings and left art to the artists. This is a dismal failure and one of the worst books I've read in many years.

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title link	preview: The Schopenhauer Cure
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