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molly_hn's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
If you have a passion for novels written by therapists about therapists, you will love this. I cannot help but fantasise that this is really about Irvin Yalom himself. A beautiful, organic expression of therapeutic encounter. The best depiction of a particular form of group therapy. The present day setting of the group therapy is sandwiched between accounts of Schopenhauer's life, shedding light on his philosophy and its relevance to the existential themes the characters of this novel find themselves grappling with. The book is dialogue driven, with laugh-out-loud moments and gut-renching realism. The characters may at times present themselves as tropes- an aspect I came to love towards the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Infidelity, and Grief
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