readers advisory for all discussion

Hi all, I was wondering if you know of any books that have characters going through psychoanalysis or goes to see a psychologist? I've read two books that briefly visited this (Flowers for Algernon and More than Human). I think it's really interesting and would like to read something that goes more deeply into it. Any ideas? :)

Anything non fiction would be cool too!

The Prince of Tides has a lot going on besides seeing a psychiatrist : repressed memories, suicidal tendencies, parenting, trauma, sibling relationship. As a bonus it has wonderful descriptions of the Deep South.

Check out By Blood by Ellen Ullman.

Thanks guys, these look very interesting!

Sorry to interrupt the thread but I see multiple authors penning books by the same name 'Flowers for Algernon'. Which one are you talking about? I'd love to read it but don't know who authored it. Same goes for 'More than Human'. Which authors' books should I pick?

Thanks.

The Flowers For Algernon that has the aforementioned psychoanalysis is by Daniel Keyes.

Katie wrote: "The Flowers For Algernon that has the aforementioned psychoanalysis is by Daniel Keyes."

Thank you! :)

Yup, that's the one! The More Than Human I'm talking about is by Theodore Sturgeon I believe

Methinks The Lady has a cool twist on this.

Alison Bechdel's comic memoir Are You My Mother? is specifically about her psychoanalytic work with two analysts. i recommend it unconditionally. it's a work of genius.

in A Shining Affliction: A Story of Harm and Healing in Psychotherapy annie rogers, a lacanian analyst, describes her 1-year work with a very traumatized little boy as part of her training. she works very closely and very psychodynamically with the child, and the book is a masterpiece.

Marie Cardinal's The Words to Say It: An Autobiographical Novel is about her analysis and i remember liking it but it was a long time ago.

just out, An Accident of Hope: The Therapy Tapes of Anne Sexton is about sexton's v. close work with an analyst. the premise is amazing. i've just read the introduction then had to take a breather cuz it was painful.

finally, Elyn R. Saks's The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness describes her analysis and its absolutely central role in her managing of her schizophrenia (she's an incredibly high-functioning schizophrenic). she seeks and does very classic analysis, so it's an interesting change from the other books, where the analysis is more contemporary and less rigid (except maybe the marie cardinal one, which i don't remember).

oh, Dibs: In Search of Self is amazing. the relationship between the therapist and the child is certainly psychodynamic and absolutely gorgeous.

Justin wrote: "Yup, that's the one! The More Than Human I'm talking about is by Theodore Sturgeon I believe"

Thanks!!

Ugh, thank you!! All of these are great xD

Lit Bug wrote: "Justin wrote: "Yup, that's the one! The More Than Human I'm talking about is by Theodore Sturgeon I believe"

Thanks!!"

No problem! :D

by Rikki Ducornet
For a relatively short novel, this is unexpectedly heavy, as fascinating as it is dirty and dark, and while Ducornet's prose is initially overbearing, the plot is impossible to resist.

Thank you! :)

Non-fiction and may not be a topic of interest, but a fascinating read on relationships and family dynamics: Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships. It follows several couples through their counseling, which provided more narrative than I was expecting to find.

The author Dr. David Schnarch is a psychologist with other certifications, so a PhD, not MD -- in case that makes a difference.

That sounds very interesting and useful! Non fiction is good too! Thanks

What about Ordinary People?

Oooh this sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for. The Words to Say It
Or this. Letters to a Young Madman: A Memoir

Thanks! These look great, just added them to the to-read list.

D. M. Thomas' The White Hotel and Ararat are both informed by psychoanalysis, especially in its portrait of trauma and it's repression. And while it is a play, Equus by Peter Shaffer is a classic in portraying psychoanalysis.

Thanks! :)

The Boy Who Could See Demons is coming out soon, but it is worth waiting for.

Thank you!

I actually have a shelf for that! It's called psychiatry-in-fiction.

Wow that's really awesome! All these suggestions will keep me very busy xD

Sounds Like Crazy, Girl, Interrupted, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Text and Criticism, and, for kicks, you might check into Johnathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series.

Girl interrupted.
I never promised you a rose garden.

An unquiet mind

She comes undone

The bell jar... Sorta kinda

Manic and to bright to hear to loud to see involve therapy, with the latter more focused on it, hospitalization, and electric shock therapy.

The visible man

There are so many good ones

Also somewhat in Norwegian Wood, it's kind of a funny story. Shutter island may have what your looking for. I know this much is true. There are just so many on the fringe of this topic too