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 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.