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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Review of Staring at the Sun by Irvin D. Yalom
2/5
Although some of the patient vignettes in this book were engaging, much of the commentary felt dated and out of touch with current psychological thinking. Yalom’s emphasis on dream interpretation and existential musings takes center stage, often at the expense of more grounded or evidence-based approaches to death anxiety.
At times, the book seemed more interested in the author’s reflections on his therapeutic relationships than in offering practical insight. There were repeated moments where he focused on wanting patients to like him or see his value, which felt self-indulgent and disconnected from the central theme of the book.
The “how to use this book” section was particularly strange. It suggested that each chapter would offer concrete tools or insights for managing the fear of death, but the actual content rarely delivered on that promise. While the topic is important and the intent is clear, the structure and execution make it hard to follow and even harder to apply.
In the end, the book struggles to offer useful guidance. It reads more like a therapist’s journal than a resource for readers grappling with mortality. There are far stronger, more relevant works on death anxiety and end-of-life reflection available.
2/5
Although some of the patient vignettes in this book were engaging, much of the commentary felt dated and out of touch with current psychological thinking. Yalom’s emphasis on dream interpretation and existential musings takes center stage, often at the expense of more grounded or evidence-based approaches to death anxiety.
At times, the book seemed more interested in the author’s reflections on his therapeutic relationships than in offering practical insight. There were repeated moments where he focused on wanting patients to like him or see his value, which felt self-indulgent and disconnected from the central theme of the book.
The “how to use this book” section was particularly strange. It suggested that each chapter would offer concrete tools or insights for managing the fear of death, but the actual content rarely delivered on that promise. While the topic is important and the intent is clear, the structure and execution make it hard to follow and even harder to apply.
In the end, the book struggles to offer useful guidance. It reads more like a therapist’s journal than a resource for readers grappling with mortality. There are far stronger, more relevant works on death anxiety and end-of-life reflection available.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
I have read it after loosing a femily member and while starting my own greeving process. I've found a lot of comfort in this book.
Lets talk about life and lets talk about the end of it.
Lets talk about life and lets talk about the end of it.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
The first half of the book held valuable insight/perspective. The second half seemed more geared towards those working as therapists. I read it from a list of recommendations. I find having had a mother who was diagnosed with a chronic illness when I was young, now having my own children that is something I fear greatly.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I liked this but I think maybe my expectations were a little high.
This book was overall interesting but I didn't necessarily learn anything new or come away with a lot of insight. I'm thinking this is probably because The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker (which I still haven't technically finished reading) has extensively covered a lot of the topics explored in this book in more detail and it had a huge impact on me.
This book was overall interesting but I didn't necessarily learn anything new or come away with a lot of insight. I'm thinking this is probably because The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker (which I still haven't technically finished reading) has extensively covered a lot of the topics explored in this book in more detail and it had a huge impact on me.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
slow-paced