Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To enjoy this book, as with any book, it's important to understand and take the book for what it is. Find its value, and concentrate on that.
Yalom explicitly says that he approached this book as a "teaching novel". This book isn't so much about literary craft or comprehensive philosophical instruction. What Yalom IS trying to do, is teach people about the therapeutic process, through a sort of psycho-historical thought experiment. You see this in his non-fiction as well, he often interrupts his dry textbook passages with an interesting therapeutic narrative that entertains the reader and illuminates the author's point.
Yalom chose Nietzsche because of the serendipitous historical overlap (the events in this book almost happened, even moreso than the author knew at the time), and because Nietzsche's contributions to psychoanalysis are often criminally overlooked. In a Q&A at the end of the book, Yalom even outlines how much of a debt Freud owes to Nietzsche's philosophy (it's a bigger debt than Freud was comfortable admitting).
Nietzsche also makes for a very interesting therapeutic subject. I know many students of literature were probably cringing at the way the author explicitly states the character's inner monologues, but AGAIN, Yalom's interests aren't the aesthetic. They are psychological. The fiction is the means, not the end.
I would recommend "When Nietzsche Wept" to anyone interesting in existentialism, psychology, and European history. It also helps if you can stomach such a dinky title.
Yalom explicitly says that he approached this book as a "teaching novel". This book isn't so much about literary craft or comprehensive philosophical instruction. What Yalom IS trying to do, is teach people about the therapeutic process, through a sort of psycho-historical thought experiment. You see this in his non-fiction as well, he often interrupts his dry textbook passages with an interesting therapeutic narrative that entertains the reader and illuminates the author's point.
Yalom chose Nietzsche because of the serendipitous historical overlap (the events in this book almost happened, even moreso than the author knew at the time), and because Nietzsche's contributions to psychoanalysis are often criminally overlooked. In a Q&A at the end of the book, Yalom even outlines how much of a debt Freud owes to Nietzsche's philosophy (it's a bigger debt than Freud was comfortable admitting).
Nietzsche also makes for a very interesting therapeutic subject. I know many students of literature were probably cringing at the way the author explicitly states the character's inner monologues, but AGAIN, Yalom's interests aren't the aesthetic. They are psychological. The fiction is the means, not the end.
I would recommend "When Nietzsche Wept" to anyone interesting in existentialism, psychology, and European history. It also helps if you can stomach such a dinky title.
possibly the saddest book i’ve ever read, definitely the saddest i’ve read in a good while. much like nietzche there is so much to say and dissect that i’m not sure where to start, what would be agreed upon by other readers and what would be a spoiler beyond to say that this is a wonderful mix of true events and fiction - theorizing on the cause of nietzches death, inspiration for his book zarathustra, the depths and impacts of his relationships with paul ree and lou salome, as well as multiple other intersecting events.
Suddenly I understood life's most obvious fact: that time is irreversible, that my life was running out. [...] Now I know that 'the lad of infinite promise' was merely a marching banner, that 'promise' is an illusion, that 'infinite' is meaningless, and that I am in lockstep with all other men marching toward death.
When Nietzsche Wept was a much easier read than I thought it was going to be. It's kind of an educational book in the form of a (fan)fiction involving a philosopher and a psychologist. It's interesting if you're interested in psychology (which I am) and it makes the core concepts of these theories tangible in the same way that Sophie's World brings the history of philosophy within reach.
I can't really say I loved the book to be honest because it never fully drew me in, I enjoyed the discussions between Nietzsche and Breuer in the same way as I'd enjoy a fascinating podcast but there was no involvement with characters or story here. Still, I did learn some things and I do appreciate the concept and the easily accessible and understandable execution of it; though I would only recommend this to psychology enthusiasts or people in desperate need of fanfic involving historic figures!
Only the day after tomorrow belongs to me. Some philosophers are born posthumously!
My goodness, what an amazing book!
If you have any interest in psychiatry or philosophy, you'll love this fictional imagining of the birth of psychology. Both Breuer and Nietzsche are fascinating characters, and the youthful Freud is very different from the character we usually picture when we consider psychiatry.
Yalom, as always, writes masterfully and there's never a dull moment. By no means a light hearted read, this novel left me reeling and I had to refrain from starting a new book for a couple of days, just to let it all sink in.
Also, this is a great edition to get - it includes interviews with Yalom at the back that are hugely enlightening.
If you have any interest in psychiatry or philosophy, you'll love this fictional imagining of the birth of psychology. Both Breuer and Nietzsche are fascinating characters, and the youthful Freud is very different from the character we usually picture when we consider psychiatry.
Yalom, as always, writes masterfully and there's never a dull moment. By no means a light hearted read, this novel left me reeling and I had to refrain from starting a new book for a couple of days, just to let it all sink in.
Also, this is a great edition to get - it includes interviews with Yalom at the back that are hugely enlightening.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
...am deschis cartea și m-am lăsat prinsă în Viena anului 1882, unde renumitul și mult-talentatul doctor Josef Breuer, în urma unei întâlniri misterioase cu o rusoaică, Lou Salome, decide să îl trateze pe pacientul Friedrich Nietzsche de disperare. Ce-i drept, doctorul Breuer a tratat o singură dată disperarea, un tratament care nu a dat rezultate pe termen lung și, în plus, a afectat foarte mult imaginea sa în societate, dar și relația cu soția. Dar pentru că domnișoara Salome este atât de enigmatică și convingătoare... de ce nu ar încerca?
Continuarea pe blog.
Continuarea pe blog.
I loved this book! This is one of those books that make you struggle finding something as good to read next. I read a lot on the train because I have a long commute to university, this book made me want to ride on the train to continue reading. It was absolutely gripping. Please read it, you won't regret it.
Take in consideration that is a fiction, many people were disappointed about it, is a novel, a really good one.
Take in consideration that is a fiction, many people were disappointed about it, is a novel, a really good one.