Readings From June of 2006 to September of 2006
Kite Runner, Khaled Husseini
This is a marvelous novel about a young Afghani man who grows up with his father, a friend and his friend's father. Set in the last third of the 20th century and beginning of 21st, this novel takes us directly into the middle of cultural, political, social, emotional and psychological issues of relevance to Afghanistan and its people. We follow the young man the demise of his social status and friendships, his move to the US and subsequent journey back to Afghanistan where he attempts to rescue and adopt the son of his former friend.
Birth of Venus, Sarah Durant
Lennon Biographies by
Larry Kane (Lennon Revealed)
Cynthia Powell (John) ;
Swamplandsof the Soul, James Hollis ;
The Booksellers Daughter ;
The Curious Incident With the Dog ;
The Stolen Child ;
Boys of Few Words, Adam Cox;
One Nation Under Therapy;
October/November 2006
Snow, Orhan Pamuk
The Schopenhauer Cure, Irvin Yalom
Marvelous book as far as content is concerned stylistically not always convincing. Yalom who has previously written a novel about Nietzsche going to Freud for therapy put out another book touching on his philosophical interests in the context of therapy. Arthur Schopenhauer's work offers rich material for those who are looking for ways to think about oneself in the context of cultural, societal influences. In his novel Yalom thinks up "Julius" the protagonist who was just diagnosed with melanoma. His physician guarantees him "one good year" but not more. Julius is an accomplished therapist who, upon finding out his diagnosis, struggles to find balance and meaning in his life. He goes through files of former clients and is particularly drawn to those he could not help. One client in particular, "Philip", becomes a focus for him. Philip had a sexual addiction and throughout his therapy with Julius never made any progress. Julius decides to contact Philip to see how he is doing. As it turns out Philip is now a therapist himself. But he is also a professor of philosophy with a particular liking for Schopenhauer. When both men meet Julius' impression is that Philip has not changed but continues to put out a cold and almost antisocial demeanor. Julius voices his disbelief that Philip could ever be a good therapist. Philip proposes that Julius become his supervisor (he needs a certain amount of supervised hours in order to become a licensed therapist). Julius refuses at first, but then agrees with the condition that Philip join the therapy group Julius is leading once a week. The rest of the book describes a) group meetings and how the interactions in the group affect both Philip and Julius and, to a lesser degree, the other group members, and b) how Julius learns to deal with his own dying and Philip how to relate to others in a warm and affectionate way.
Kite Runner, Khaled Husseini
This is a marvelous novel about a young Afghani man who grows up with his father, a friend and his friend's father. Set in the last third of the 20th century and beginning of 21st, this novel takes us directly into the middle of cultural, political, social, emotional and psychological issues of relevance to Afghanistan and its people. We follow the young man the demise of his social status and friendships, his move to the US and subsequent journey back to Afghanistan where he attempts to rescue and adopt the son of his former friend.
Birth of Venus, Sarah Durant
Lennon Biographies by
Larry Kane (Lennon Revealed)
Cynthia Powell (John) ;
Swamplandsof the Soul, James Hollis ;
The Booksellers Daughter ;
The Curious Incident With the Dog ;
The Stolen Child ;
Boys of Few Words, Adam Cox;
One Nation Under Therapy;
October/November 2006
Snow, Orhan Pamuk
The Schopenhauer Cure, Irvin Yalom
Marvelous book as far as content is concerned stylistically not always convincing. Yalom who has previously written a novel about Nietzsche going to Freud for therapy put out another book touching on his philosophical interests in the context of therapy. Arthur Schopenhauer's work offers rich material for those who are looking for ways to think about oneself in the context of cultural, societal influences. In his novel Yalom thinks up "Julius" the protagonist who was just diagnosed with melanoma. His physician guarantees him "one good year" but not more. Julius is an accomplished therapist who, upon finding out his diagnosis, struggles to find balance and meaning in his life. He goes through files of former clients and is particularly drawn to those he could not help. One client in particular, "Philip", becomes a focus for him. Philip had a sexual addiction and throughout his therapy with Julius never made any progress. Julius decides to contact Philip to see how he is doing. As it turns out Philip is now a therapist himself. But he is also a professor of philosophy with a particular liking for Schopenhauer. When both men meet Julius' impression is that Philip has not changed but continues to put out a cold and almost antisocial demeanor. Julius voices his disbelief that Philip could ever be a good therapist. Philip proposes that Julius become his supervisor (he needs a certain amount of supervised hours in order to become a licensed therapist). Julius refuses at first, but then agrees with the condition that Philip join the therapy group Julius is leading once a week. The rest of the book describes a) group meetings and how the interactions in the group affect both Philip and Julius and, to a lesser degree, the other group members, and b) how Julius learns to deal with his own dying and Philip how to relate to others in a warm and affectionate way.
posted by Martin Srajek at 2:53 PM
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