Reading to Stay Alive: Tolstoy, Hopkins and the Dilemma of Existence

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This book explores how literary reading can enable people considering suicide to stay alive. Written by an academic general practitioner with longstanding expertise in mental health, the book is grounded in the lived experience of patients, intertwined with perspectives from social psychology and moral philosophy. At its heart are reflective descriptions of the authors encounters with Tolstoys Anna Karenina, and the Terrible Sonnets of Gerard Manley Hopkins, illuminating the therapeutic potential of recursive interactions between literature and experience.

Reviews

This is an incredibly powerful book. It is about hope and the power of literature in helping any one of us through the darkest of times. It is a sophisticated book which combines theory, literature and peoples stories in a way that is both enlightening and engaging. I highly recommend this book. Rory OConnor, Professor of Health Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow.

Christopher Dowrick uses his experience and expertise as a clinician to interrogate important literary texts. In so doing he demonstrates the profound truth that great writing can sustain and console in dark times. Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice Chancellor, University of Liverpool Foundation Building, UK.

"We are often told that we are in the middle of a major crisis in mental health, especially among young people: 'why stay alive' is a real question for more people than we might imagine. In this rich and compelling interweaving of pastoral, clinical and artistic insights, Chris Dowrick explores the unexpected experiences of connectedness that - without pretending to solve problems - provide the resource to take the next step in the difficult business of living, and shows us how vital to our very survival the world of art and imagination is. A wonderful and timely book." - Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury.

I found this Book to be well written, absorbing, informative, and full of insights into both the phenomenon of suicide and the states of mind that may lead to it, and into the various literary texts used to illustrate the arguments. - Dr. Dougal Jeffries, British Journal of General Practice.

The author sets out to use literature to explore the many human facets of those who live in such despair they wish to end their lives. He lays his stall out early arguing that literature, has the potential to help those who are living in despair, providing them with sufficient reasons to stay alive.' The author also explores poetry, these poems powerfully plumb depths of despair without mercy. The reader cannot but descend into the emotional turmoil that the poet experienced. - Austin OCarroll; general practitioner and co-founder of Safetynet Ireland, North Dublin City GP Training, and GPCareForAll;Dowrick C, Reading to Stay Alive: Tolstoy, Hopkins and the Dilemmas of Existence.

Author Bio

Christopher Dowrick is Emeritus Professor in the University of Liverpool UK, and past chair of the World Organisation of Family Doctors working party for mental health.