The Schopenhauer Cure, by Irvin Yalom. HarperCollins Publishing 2005 ISBN: 0–06–621441–6 Reviewed by Sean Campbell, December 8, 2015. Irvin Yalom is one of the most prominent names in group therapy today. He wrote what is possibly the most widely used group therapy textbook, Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, as well as several other novels, such as When Nietzsche Wept : A Novel of Obsession, Momma and the Meaning of Life : Tales of Psychotherapy, and Lying on the Couch. Yalom offers a fictitious account, of a very plausible, and engaging chain of events that seemingly are analogous to real world group therapy.
The Schopenhauer cure sets the reader behind the eyes of a prominent San Franciscan psychiatrist named Julius, who comes …show more content…
Though the issues very for each of the characters in the book, a running theme is always interpersonal and sexual relationships. Unfortunately we find out very little about Julius’ family, and interactions outside of the group itself, or the contexts surrounding other characters outside of the group as well. Overall I found the book insightful, and I was a particular fan of Philip, and the ideas presented by Schopenhauer. If nothing else it is given me insight into a philosophy very much similar to that of my own interpersonal style. One thing that I did enjoy very much about the book was that it always offered insights from each person’s perspective, and in that way it was very pleasing. One thing I did not like as well was the ending, which felt unfulfilling. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to have a deeper understanding and a variety of perspectives on and of group counseling. It is an entertaining read even without an academic motivator, but it will probably not be my first choice for entertainment reading. That being said it was a book that I enjoyed, and that I feel has given me tools that I can take with me down the
The Schopenhauer cure sets the reader behind the eyes of a prominent San Franciscan psychiatrist named Julius, who comes …show more content…
Though the issues very for each of the characters in the book, a running theme is always interpersonal and sexual relationships. Unfortunately we find out very little about Julius’ family, and interactions outside of the group itself, or the contexts surrounding other characters outside of the group as well. Overall I found the book insightful, and I was a particular fan of Philip, and the ideas presented by Schopenhauer. If nothing else it is given me insight into a philosophy very much similar to that of my own interpersonal style. One thing that I did enjoy very much about the book was that it always offered insights from each person’s perspective, and in that way it was very pleasing. One thing I did not like as well was the ending, which felt unfulfilling. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to have a deeper understanding and a variety of perspectives on and of group counseling. It is an entertaining read even without an academic motivator, but it will probably not be my first choice for entertainment reading. That being said it was a book that I enjoyed, and that I feel has given me tools that I can take with me down the