Momma And The Meaning Of Life

Irvin Yalom continues to astonish us. Vitality, eloquence, wisdom, courage and the capacity to listen and learn mark this book indelibly -- Les Havens, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Hospital
Irvin Yalom indeed gives us a taste of the meaning of life in this wise and entertaining book * Jewish Chronicle *
In every chapter, an epiphany, a tug at the heart or a gasp of realization. And 'The Hungarian Cat Curse' will be read aloud for decades, possibly forever. This isn't a book - it's a gift -- William Peter Blatty, author of THE EXORCIST
This is a chance to get inside the mind of a brilliant therapist and witness the soul breaking through. Like the first light of dawn, MOMMA AND THE MEANING OF LIFEis warm, radiant and revealing -- Mark Epstein, author of THOUGHTS WITHOUT A THINKER and GOING TO PIECES WITHOUT FALLING APART
These spellbinding tales of pain and of healing transport us into the very cores of the therapeutic experience -- Maggie Smith, author of KEEP MOVING: NOTES ON LOSS, CREATIVITY, AND CHANGE
Ironic and self-aware, Irvin Yalom gently leads us to the brink of death, to the edge of madness, and to the depths of despair. Dr. Yalom makes the same compassionate agreement with we, his readers, as he does with his patients: to reveal himself fully and honestly so that together we may confront the bleak existential realities and bring meaning and richness to our lives. I'm sure his Momma would have been proud -- Harold Ramis, director and producer of ANALYZE THIS
Irvin Yalom brings to these splendid tales of psychotherapy his rich experience as a therapist, his broad knowledge of philosophy and literature, and his profound humanity. He draws the reader into his stories with the same skill he uses to engage his patients in therapy -- David Spiegel, author of LIVING BEYOND LIMITS
Yalom shows us what the meaning and practice of therapy mean to him ... and does it with enviable openness and style * Times Literary Supplement *
A fascinating commentary on the bond between patient and therapist -- Nick Nolte

Six long psychotherapy narratives - four based on actual cases, two fictional - that comprise a worthy sequel to the author's bestselling LOVE'S EXECUTIONER. Yalom, author of many other books on psychotherapy, focuses here on how life can be enriched by emotionally integrating close encounters with loved ones' deaths and with one's own mortality. What particularly makes this book worth many times its price is a stunning piece entitled 'Seven Advanced Lessons in the Therapy of Grief'...

Yalom ... again displays the great narrative drive and wit evident in LOVE'S EXECUTIONER. At least as much as that book, MOMMA AND THE MEANING OF LIFE contains some truly profound observations on death, the sometimes desperate attempts to modify one's personality so as to live more fully, and other human struggles. These six engrossing narratives are very valuable gleanings from a master therapist's professional and personal experience.

* Kirkus Reviews *