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Momma and the Meaning of Life: Tales of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom probes further into the mysteries of the therapeutic encounter in this entertaining and thoughtful follow-up to his bestselling "Love's Executioner"
In six enthralling stories drawn from his own clinical experience, Irvin D. Yalom once again proves himself an intrepid explorer of the human psyche as he guides his patients--and himse
...morePaperback, 272 pages
Published
September 19th 2000
by Harper Perennial
(first published 1987)
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This is my favourite book by Irv Yalom. He is a wonderful writer and teller of stories, but there are many books I enjoy for those reasons. Yalom I enjoy because of its philosophical elements wrapped around with real-life stories.
Each chapter is a story of therapy that begins with his identification with his patient as being-all-of -us-in-it-together and ends with the solving of an existential problem and an easement, if not a cure, of the problem that led the person to Yalom in t...more
Each chapter is a story of therapy that begins with his identification with his patient as being-all-of -us-in-it-together and ends with the solving of an existential problem and an easement, if not a cure, of the problem that led the person to Yalom in t...more
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After reading Love's Executioner for a class I learned that I love Yalom's style of writing and his candor about his own feelings, reactions, and inner thoughts toward his clients. I find I share similar philosophies about therapy being an environment that is created by therapist, client, and the relationship built between the two. I was not as intrigued by every chapter in Momma as I was with Love's Executioner, however there is a very detailed series of chapters on a client he worked with who ...more
A wonderfully written, introspective collection of tales both real and fictional about the relationship between therapist and client. Many of them involve death or bereavement, and while Yalom presents these topics in a comforting and rational way, it is heavier reading than you may expect. (Depending on how many existential crises you may or may not have had.) I'm interested to read The Gift of Therapy, which I understand to be more instructive and less narrative than this particular book. ...more
I read Love's Executioner years and years ago and absolutely loved it. I was delighted to find out about a sequel recently and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I was a little disappointed that there were fictional segments in the book; I really enjoyed knowing that these were nonfictional accounts of true therapy sessions between a gifted doctor and his patients. Actually, my favorite part of the book turned out to be one of the fictional segments -- the piece about Myrna and her accident...more
Why learn about the human condition by reading about made-up people? In Yalom's accounts of therapy we are told how real-life people actually are; crucially, both the patients and the doctors. That's the titillating kick in these accounts: the frank admission of excitement, boredom and lust in those who are paid to be professional.
The last two stories are mostly fictional (and in fact, supernatural) which was a disconcerting departure. As soon as 'Dr Ernest Lash' comes on the scene, ...more
The last two stories are mostly fictional (and in fact, supernatural) which was a disconcerting departure. As soon as 'Dr Ernest Lash' comes on the scene, ...more
A good but far from great collection compiling a hodgepodge of clincal experience and (misguided attempts at)fiction. Yalom can be a masterful instructor-even on the page- a rare asset for a psychological writer. But god, his Ivy league navel gazing is off the charts! We get it, you read Nietzsche and have a big ego... for how many pages can one belabor such a point?
Another excellent book from Yalom. His ability to engage the reader while educating is admirable. I would have given it the full five stars though the main theme of the big existential question (death) was uncomfortable. I must be getting older. So far all of Yalom's books are a high recommendation.
I put aside James Joyce for a moment to read Irvin Yalom's follow up to Loves Executioneer. My favorite character so far is Magnolia! yet each weaving brings tears. A very emotionally tugging book. At the end, Magnolia remained a favorite. Easy reading, but full of depth.
I absolutely love Yalom... He is such a great writer. His tales of patients in psychotherapy are so thought-provoking and really bring the practice to life. I've learned so much from reading his books.
First 2/3 of the book is interesting and meaningful stories about therapeutic relationships, especially in grief counseling. Last 1/3 goes off the rails, nonsense fantasy tale. Why?
Várias crônicas de pacientes do Dr. Irvin D. Yalom. Pra quem gosta do mistérios da mente, psicologia e psiquiatria, é uma boa pedida!
I love you, Irvin -- every story was fantastic except for the last two where you adopted a third-person narration and a fictionalized cypher persona (Dr. Ernest Lash, puh-leeze)!
Lyrical stories that shine with the pain and luminosity of being human. The fiction stories were a bit strange and not totally believable, but I enjoyed the whole collection.
Khaya
rated it
Recommends it for:
Therapists and those interested in the therapy process
Recommended to Khaya by:
Ruth
Shelves:
professionallit
Haiku Review
Six Yalom stories
Entertain and educate
Last one kind of weird.
Six Yalom stories
Entertain and educate
Last one kind of weird.
Deep, intellectual, alive.
After reading Love's Executioner, this was a bit of a disappointment. There are brilliant moments with plenty of interesting insights; however, the last story just felt completely out of place.
A good read, but not my favorite of his books. I enjoyed Love's Executioner and The gift of therapy more.
Interesting for all those therapists out there! Not sure how I missed it in the masters program.
Meaning of life. My kind of stuff!
Cortney
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Mae
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Dr. Blisard
Good book for Counselors
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Irvin David Yalom, M.D., is an author of fiction and nonfiction, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University, an existentialist, and accomplished psychotherapist.
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“من نیز با پیروی از فروید اغلب رؤیاپرداز را کوتوله ی فربه و سرحالی تصور می کنم که در دل جنگل دندریت ها و اکسون ها، زندگی خوبی برای خود دست و پا کرده است. روزها می خوابد ولی شب ها، با وزوز و همهمه ی سیناپس ها سر از نازبالشش برمی دارد، نوشابه ی عسلی اش را می نوشد و با تنبلی، رشته ی رؤیاهای میزبانش را درهم می تند... به قصه های مضحک پریان شبیه است. درست همان انسان انگاری رایج قرن نوزدهم. همان خطای متداول فروید در عینی نمایاندن ساختارهای انتزاعی ذهن و مبدل ساختنشان به جن و پری هایی مستقل و مختار. فقط کاش من هم باورش نداشتم! ”
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