Join us for the next book club session!
In September we’re reading The Schopenhauer Cure by Irvin D. Yalom - a novel that weaves together psychotherapy, philosophy, and human relationships.
The story centers around Julius Hertzfeld, a seasoned psychotherapist who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Facing the end of his life, Julius reflects on his career and decides to reconnect with a former patient, Philip Slate, who had once failed in therapy. To Julius’s surprise, Philip claims he has transformed himself—not through therapy, but by embracing the pessimistic philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer, who believed that desire leads to suffering and that detachment is the key to peace.
To explore this further, Julius invites Philip to join his therapy group, sparking tension and growth within the group as Philip’s cold, intellectual approach clashes with the emotionally vulnerable process of therapy. Interwoven with the main narrative are chapters that tell the story of Schopenhauer’s life, offering insight into how his ideas shaped Philip—and how they both struggle with isolation and human connection.
The novel ultimately examines themes like death, healing, meaning, and the power of relationships, asking what it truly means to live a good life in the face of suffering.
We’ll have a discussion about the book, so bring your impressions, favorite quotes, ideas, and thoughts!
If you love reading and want to share your thoughts with others, join our Terran book club! We meet on the last Monday of every month. No formal sign-up is needed - just read and show up. In the meantime, feel free to join the dedicated WhatsApp chat to connect with others and share reflections as you read.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HHStSoT8RRrEutPzAEbxF0
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