Ernest Lash was appointed to serve on the Stanford Hospital Medical Ethics Committee and his first disciplinary action was Dr. Read a chapter excerpt from The Schopenhauer Cure at ( back If you enjoy a writer who embraces both the cerebral and the emotional aspects of life, but who is also tremendously entertaining, read this terrific novel. There are many touching passages and one, in particular, left me profoundly moved. Yalom's writing is witty, highly intelligent, and imbued with compassion. This story of people stripping away their defenses and baring their souls to one another gives valuable insight into the therapeutic process. Yalom brings Schopenhauer to life and the chapters dealing with this prickly genius provide a fascinating counterpoint to the conflicts and revelations that permeate the rest of the book. In a series of fascinating and informative chapters, Yalom traces the life and work of Arthur Schopenhauer, a brilliant but dour misanthrope whose seminal writings influenced Freud, Nietzche, and Sartre, among others. To make matters even more complicated and interesting, Philip claims that he cured himself of his sex addiction by modeling his life after the great German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer. These and other members of the therapy group are thrown off stride by the shocking news of Julius's illness and by Philip's icy demeanor. Tony is a carpenter whose rough exterior and lack of formal education hide an innate intelligence. Rebecca has relied too much on her physical beauty, and as she ages, she must face the fact that her looks are slowly fading.
Pam is a college professor who has failed both in her marriage and in her adulterous relationship. Yalom invites the reader into the tumultuous world of Julius's group therapy sessions, and he delves a bit into the private lives of each member of Julius's group. The Schopenhauer Cure goes in several directions, but they all merge into a seamless whole. Philip agrees and he brings some heavy baggage with him. Julius invites Philip, who now aspires to be a licensed counselor himself, to join his therapy group. Hertzfeld's most egregious failures he quit after three years of what he considered to be futile treatment. He decides to look up Philip Slate, a former patient whom he once treated for severe sex addiction. Rather than retreat from life to lick his wounds and contemplate all that he must leave behind, Julius is determined to spend his remaining time continuing his psychotherapeutic work.
Julius Hertzfeld is a respected therapist who learns that his days may be numbered. Irving Yalom's marvelous new novel, The Schopenhauer Cure, is a wide-ranging and exhilarating exploration of psychotherapy, philosophy, and humanity.
(Reviewed by Eleanor Bukowsky MAY 7, 2005)
( Jump down to read a review of Lying on the Couch)
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