Shrink Unwrapped

by Joel L. Schwartz

From the To treat patients using psychoanalysis, psychiatrists must first undergo their own analysis. And Dr. Jacob Fink plans to coast through his own stint on the shrink’s couch as quickly as possible. After all, there’s nothing wrong with him! But soon, his forty‑five minute sessions unearth long‑buried struggles that are both profound and profane. Can a three‑year‑old who was unable to sit still on his carpet square in nursery school and constantly joked his way through his schooling ever be successful in life? Can listening to a weather forecast be dangerous to your health? Can a boy get a venereal disease just by thinking about girls? How can you get fresh semen stains out of white linen pants and beat a traffic ticket? Jacob is on his way to a breakthrough when something unthinkable happens and he now has to dig deep to unwrap the last of his inner struggles and finally grow into the therapist he knows he can be. Dr. Joel Schwartz is the published author of 7 middle grade novels, including Upchuck Summer (Yearling, 1983), which sold over 150,000 copies, He is the Emeritus Chair of Psychiatry at Abington Memorial Hospital, and a board certified adult and child psychiatrist/psychoanalyst. He is also a professional speaker, and works with organizations to improve workplace dynamics. In addition, he is an amateur stand‑up comic and wishful golfer.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Dr. Joel Schwartz is the published author of 7 middle grade novels, including Upchuck Summer (Yearling, 1983), which sold over 150,000 copies, He is the Emeritus Chair of Psychiatry at Abington Memorial Hospital, and a board certified adult and child psychiatrist/psychoanalyst. He is also a professional speaker, and works with organizations to improve workplace dynamics. In addition, he is an amateur stand‑up comic and wishful golfer.

Reviews

[Monika Sadowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short book about stories from the life of psychiatrist Dr. Jacob Fink. Some of them were funny, some not so much. It seems that he struggled with his own problems since being a toddler maybe that’s why he unconsciously started psychoanalytic therapies with Dr. Hermann.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shrink Unwrapped Review
Shrink Unwrapped is a humorous story about a man who is pursuing the path of being a psychiatrist. But first thing first…he has to get past another psychiatrist first. You’d think that it can’t be that hard, right? He should know the ins and outs and what is acceptable in order to accomplish what it is that he aspires to do. Well, it seems that he is carrying quite a bit of baggage and getting off his chest will be both therapeutic and quite humorous.
Shrink Unwrapped is quite a humorous story as Jacob tells his story. I have to admit that I giggle quite a few times throughout this story, but one of my favorite moments happens near the beginning. I had a good laugh when Jacob has his dog, Anna, select his psychiatrist. My jaw dropped and I just fell out laughing at the entire scene because it was unexpected and too funny. I have to applaud the author for that because it caught me by surprise how the scene plays out. The things that the main character reveals from his life do an excellent job of keeping me engaged throughout the story.
There honestly isn’t anything that I don’t like about this book! This story is well thought out and executed! The author promises humor and you get quite a bit of it. The humor is perfectly balanced and I applaud the author for it.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a fun, humorous story that shares the main character's experiences, life growing up and more then this is a good book to pick up. I truly enjoyed it.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was at moments a humorous story and at other times a heart aching view into Jacob Fink's life as a man pursuing a career as a psychoanalyst.

To be honest, I found myself laughing out loud...even while sitting in a restaurant eating...several times. I had to stop and share some of the moments in the book with my mother because they were too good for her to not enjoy along with me.

It is obvious from the beginning that this is much more than Dr. Fink's effort to become a psychoanalyst. And you will discover all of the secrets from his past. The author's delightful sense of humor and touching parts of the story have you turning the pages quickly. How much of ourselves do we see in Jacob's revelations of his life?

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very insightful book. The shrink in the story has to go through his final training as a psychiatrist by going to a therapist himself. Jake thinks he knows how it's gonna go. He'd talk some about his life, and the therapist will just listen, but Dr. Hermann has many questions for Jake, and there are some serious moments in Jake's life that come out. He has some major issues that he didn't even realize. The book is quite compelling, as it switches back and forth between his sessions and showing what went on when he was a child and as he was growing up. There are some serious moments and plenty of funny ones too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, and I highly recommend it.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I enjoyed the stories of Dr. Fink as we go from his childhood to becoming a psychiatrist I didn't find it particularly funny. It included stories from Dr Fink's medical interviews, tests, internship and so on, along with his family life. Chapters were made up of his sessions with Dr Hermann, Dr Fink's analyst.
Just a note it mentions cancer a lot. As I have cancer myself I found these bits a little too close to home and not enjoyable. I didn't expect to read about cancer in a book about a psychiatrist.
Overall it was a quick read with some interesting stories.

[Barb Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful and amusing memoir of a psychiatrist who undergoes analysis to qualify as a psychoanalyst. A candid look into the heart and soul of a doctor who genuinely strives to make patients better. I love how the author values humor as a critical life skill in both his personal and professional lives.

[Diogenes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tries much too hard to be funny and unfortunately doesn't succeed. Reads more like a standup comedian's patter. Although the central theme is about psychoanalysis it's really a series of somewhat related incidents and anecdotes, many sophomorically overdone. Perhaps the author's success writing for younger readers dictated his style, however this title was not labeled as YA.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read that takes a look a mental health and how our experiences shape us. It's basically a series of fictional anecdotes woven together during the backdrop of a psychiatrist becoming a psychoanalyst.

[Kade Gulluscio · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley.

As other have said, it "tried too hard to be funny." I'm in full agreement. It was a reach. ;/