novel idea to learn about shopenheur

Novel idea to learn about Schopenhauer in the context of modern psychotherapy and the group therapy setting. I also thought humour played an important role in keeping the story flowing and full of life. Great set of characters too, read really well. Just finished in a few days and am about to buy another Yalom as I enjoyed it that much. It was a refreshing change to me compared to the heavy academic books I've been reading lately. i thought the mix of fact and fiction was just right for me at this point in time, although serious philosophy students may find it lacking in depth of academia, I loved it! Bravo Yalom
Bravo!

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Wonderfully intelligent and absorbing.

Another great book from Mr Yalom.
Not quite When Nietzsche Wept league - but close.

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Life gloriously rises through death

This listen is such a deligh on so many levels. Through alternate chapters you get the autobiographical summary of Arthur Schopenhauer and his intellectual views on human existence. Those are so persistently pessimistic that reading Schopenhauer alone would have been enough to make you loose the will to live! However, they are delivered at the right amount to inform without casting a shadow over the main story and characters, which are delightfully complex but yet averagely human.
Dr. Yalom could have cured Schopenhauer, but glad in a way the two people and psychological techniques didn't meet in this timespace.
The characters are so relatable, and to get an understanding of how differently you could handle anger, how better to manage guilt, what to say when something sounds unjust; that for me was the treasure chest of this book. I did cry at the end. This book confirmed for me that suffering only serves as a reminder to find joy, every day, in everything.

But before i go, let me say this; I was not sure with the narration to begin with. It sounded laboured. It is only half way in that i got to appreciate the variety of tone, character and the art of making the voice reflect a whole world of internal emotions. Neil Hellegers, you are an artist and Tony is your masterpiece!

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Helpful

This book is helpful for anyone considering attending or giving counselling (as are most of the author’s books) . The dialogue seems a bit false but it must be difficult to replicate the conversations in therapy.

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Worthy of accolades.

Little slow to start then pulls you in makes you question your own thoughts and idea, finally makes you very aware of our fragility.

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Emotional, insightful, profound

A book about a therapist and a group of patients might not sound like much, and if you're looking for action and adventure this is not the book for you. However, the way Yalom paints the characters and their various stories and relationships together through the progression of the group therapy I found nothing short of marvellous. Borrowing wisdom from the worlds of philosophy, psychotherapy, and the life of Schopenhauer, he weaves some fairly long, at times almost academic prose into the narrative without labouring the point or losing the reader's interest.

That and it has an redemptive, almost cathartic ending that will definitely pull on your heartstrings.

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A must read

Absolutely incredible! If you’re considering, I can’t recommend enough!!
Loved it from start to finish!

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The best therapy one can get without goint to a psychiatrist.

I'm just blown away by this book! I've learned so much about therapy and philosophy in one scoop. The book is deep in exploring human nature and behaviour. The complexity of our inner adversity and the search for meaning is beautifully yet poignantly portrayed. It ahould make anyone analyze some aspects of their life.

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A great existential read

A novel with a great balance of story line, interesting aspects of group therapy and philosophy. As I stare into the second half of my life and possible parenthood, this was a perfect read :) Highly recommend it to anyone who is remotely interested in psychotherapy.

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Another brilliant book from Yalom

If you’d like an engaging read that gives you insights into group therapy, Schopenhauer’s philosophy, sex addiction, grief, the sources of interpersonal misery, and whether philosophy can ‘cure’, then you’ll enjoy this book.

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