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In die Sonne schauen. Wie man die Angst vor dem Tod überwindet by Irvin D. Yalom, Barbara Linner
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
An insightful tour of the ways in which death anxiety manifests in people's inner lives. Few books are as therapeutic as those written by Yalom. I read about one a year for some psychological hygiene.
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
Some helpful passages but it did feel quite long and some aspects seemed unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
calebmatthews's review against another edition
3.0
I liked what he said about Thus Spoke Zarathustra. I also like the questions and discussion topics at the end of the book.
I was not a huge fan of how into Nietzsche that he was and how much he uses dreams in therapy. I think there is a time and place for dreams in therapy, but it seemed to lead quite a few odd insights in this book.
If you are going to read Yalom, I recommend Creatures of a Day.
I was not a huge fan of how into Nietzsche that he was and how much he uses dreams in therapy. I think there is a time and place for dreams in therapy, but it seemed to lead quite a few odd insights in this book.
If you are going to read Yalom, I recommend Creatures of a Day.
sunrays118's review against another edition
1.0
This book is the latest in the trend to offer help to people simply by collecting others' stories. Yalom uses approximately eight cases from his years as a therapist to discus death anxiety. I found several problems with this book and do no recommend it.
My first point of contention would be that the therapist has made his own views oppressive while reassuring the reader that he is simply being honest and not intending to influence you in the least. His disdain for religion and spiritual beliefs is overbearing and forces me to cringe at his stark look at life.
The author repeatedly asserts that he places no value in anything that cannot be proven but is annoyed by the young psychiatrist that refuse to spend ample time dissecting all layers of dream metaphors. Indeed, it is telling that each of the patients he chose to share in the book had illuminating dreams during their therapy sessions that all but fixed their neuroses.
I was disappointed that Yalom fell victim to his own criticism of Freud. Yalom fervently cried that Freud was incorrect in his assessment of death anxiety: that it masks another fear. However, each of the cases Yalom chose to include in this work are perfect examples of Freud's assertion. Each of the patient had a deeper rooted fear that was articulated through death terror. I was supremely disappointed to see this because it meant that none of these patients were a good teaching tool for people, like myself, who honestly fear death.
I felt that Dr. Yalom was correct in saying that adding personal memories during therapy has a time and place. This was not the place. The longest section of the entire book is a reflection at the therapists' life. I found this arrogant and inappropriate.
I was hoping to find a work that I could read and take away some greater knowledge of death anxiety. This was simply not the best book to do that. I did not come across any helpful advice or even ground breaking therapy techniques. I purchased this book on the hype that I had read about this author's previous works but not regret that decision. This book was not in the least helpful to someone who wants to overcome death anxiety.
My first point of contention would be that the therapist has made his own views oppressive while reassuring the reader that he is simply being honest and not intending to influence you in the least. His disdain for religion and spiritual beliefs is overbearing and forces me to cringe at his stark look at life.
The author repeatedly asserts that he places no value in anything that cannot be proven but is annoyed by the young psychiatrist that refuse to spend ample time dissecting all layers of dream metaphors. Indeed, it is telling that each of the patients he chose to share in the book had illuminating dreams during their therapy sessions that all but fixed their neuroses.
I was disappointed that Yalom fell victim to his own criticism of Freud. Yalom fervently cried that Freud was incorrect in his assessment of death anxiety: that it masks another fear. However, each of the cases Yalom chose to include in this work are perfect examples of Freud's assertion. Each of the patient had a deeper rooted fear that was articulated through death terror. I was supremely disappointed to see this because it meant that none of these patients were a good teaching tool for people, like myself, who honestly fear death.
I felt that Dr. Yalom was correct in saying that adding personal memories during therapy has a time and place. This was not the place. The longest section of the entire book is a reflection at the therapists' life. I found this arrogant and inappropriate.
I was hoping to find a work that I could read and take away some greater knowledge of death anxiety. This was simply not the best book to do that. I did not come across any helpful advice or even ground breaking therapy techniques. I purchased this book on the hype that I had read about this author's previous works but not regret that decision. This book was not in the least helpful to someone who wants to overcome death anxiety.
hj_gray's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Excellent and insightful. I have read a couple of psychology books, all interesting, but this is the most lyrical one so far. Dr Yalom has such a way with words and yet does not undermine or isolate the reader - most poignantly in his chapter dedicated to therapists. He comes across as likeable and knowleable and is able to apply wider reading, namely refering to great philosophers, to his word as well as building from embedded psychotherapy. I am left with much to do and much to think about pertaining to my own morality and, most excitingly, some further reading!
hamrickishere's review against another edition
5.0
Second read of this. The first time was at a time in my life when I was experiencing severe death anxiety and it gave me a lot of peace. This time death wasn't heavy on my mind, so I was curious how much it would ring true for me.
Some parts are a bit "too good to be true", but if forgiven provide a wonderful insight in living at peace with death. Helped just as much as the first go.
9/10
Some parts are a bit "too good to be true", but if forgiven provide a wonderful insight in living at peace with death. Helped just as much as the first go.
9/10
zenyeg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
teklagyorgy's review against another edition
4.0
Yalom nem csak írja/mondja, hogy ugyan olyan földi halandó, mint mi – holott közben egy világhírű szaktekintély –, hanem érződik a cselekedetein is, melyeket megír. Talán ez az, ami miatt megszerettem, és amiért elhatároztam, hogy ha apránként is, de az életművét szeretném elolvasni. A Schopenhauer-terápia egy történeten keresztül tanítja az olvasót, ám a Szemben a nappal lapjain Yalom doktorral is megismerkedhettem.
Bővebben: http://www.teklakonyvei.hu/2019/01/irvin-d-yalom-szemben-nappal.html
Bővebben: http://www.teklakonyvei.hu/2019/01/irvin-d-yalom-szemben-nappal.html