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rsinclair6536's review
4.0
Bearing a slightly off-putting title (at least for independence-minded Americans*), this London psychiatrist’s insights to the human condition is a gift to readers of novels. Chapters divide life into milestone phases, then use explications of 24 different novels published between 1871 (Lewis Carroll) and 2017 (Sally Rooney) to analyze a major aspect of each life phase. Combining literary and Freudian analysis could be dry stuff, but Cohen makes it interesting. It’s like looking again at literary characters we either know or have heard about – with a psychiatrist chairside to point out the nuances built into the character(s) by each author. Cohen keeps it light. For example, each character is introduced with faux private notes by her/his psychiatrist. This fictional doc is never sure what to make of the subject. Cohen steps in to provide answers. His claims about the life guidance those authors are offering through these characters can enrich fiction readers. It also inspires closer reading. This is lit crit from a different perspective than the English Department.
*Ironically, the title comes from an American poet.
*Ironically, the title comes from an American poet.
karenreads1000s's review
3.0
A book of psychoanalysis and literature... yes please! With a focus on characters as examples of life stages. The premise being that literature can give examples and discovery for the reader.
julesnichols's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
I thoroughly enjoyed this for so many different reasons, and I typically hate reading nonfiction to begin with. That being said, Cohen masterfully threads stories from his own private practice as a psychoanalyst with excerpts from widely read pieces of literature to help make sense of, to put it simply, what exactly life is meant for. Aside from his voice and personal stories, his profession shines through with his continuous references to Freud and Erikson. I took a class a couple years ago that covered development across the lifespan so I was familiar with Erikson's stages and I thoroughly enjoyed using them in the context of many books I've previously enjoyed reading. I'm also an OT student so the focus on psychosocial development, especially in regards to play in children, interwined with references to such notable characters was right up my alley.
I almost wish the book was longer and delve even deeper.
I almost wish the book was longer and delve even deeper.
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