"I suspect that reading fiction is one of the few remaining paths to transcendence, that elusive state in which the distance between the self and the universe shrinks." (Ceridwen Dovey)
Ceridwen Dovey felt that she lacked spiritual resources to deal with death and was referred to a bibliotherapist. The bibliotherapist prescribed the books The Guide by R. K. Narayna, The Gospel according to Jesus Christ by Jose Saramigo and The Case for God by Karen Armstrong, among others. A writer was concerned about her fear of rejection and was prescribed Archy and Mehitabel. A woman who was struggling to balance motherhood and her painting was prescribed Notes from an Exhibition. Today, there is a book for just about every malady.
However, bibliotherapists are not prescribing the self help types of books but rather literary fiction. "I suspect that reading fiction is one of the few remaining paths to transcendence, that elusive state in which the distance between the self and the universe." Bibliotherapy boils down to the fact that books provide us with a means of escape. (http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-reading-make-you-happier)
Another reason that bibliotherapy works, according to Dovey is that: "We were dedicated to fiction as the ultimate cure because it gives readers a transformational experience." Sigmund Freud used literature during psychoanalysis. After the First World War, bibliotherapists prescribed Jane Austen novels for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. The book The Novel Cure: An A-Z of Literacy Remedies by Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin recommends fiction for a plethora of disorders (http://thenovelcure.com/about). The authors are currently working on a children's version, A Spoonful of Stories, due out in 2016.
Given that we have more self help books than ever on the bookstore shelves, why aren't we happier?
According to Dovey, it's not reading self help books per se that helps us deal with our problems. It's reading fiction. Dovey explains the science: a 2011 study mentioned mirror neurons in the brain. These neurons "fire in our brains both when we perform an action ourselves and when we see an action performed by someone else." Therefore, if we observe a character acting in a certain manner, we have the ability to put ourselves in his or her shoes. Dovey quoted another study which revealed that people who regularly read literary fiction score higher on social perception and empathy tests
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_neuron).
Bibliotherapists prove once again the value of reading. Not only does reading open one's mind to knowledge, but also to empathy. The ability to empathize can improve our relationships and can make us happier people.
However, bibliotherapists are not prescribing the self help types of books but rather literary fiction. "I suspect that reading fiction is one of the few remaining paths to transcendence, that elusive state in which the distance between the self and the universe." Bibliotherapy boils down to the fact that books provide us with a means of escape. (http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-reading-make-you-happier)
Another reason that bibliotherapy works, according to Dovey is that: "We were dedicated to fiction as the ultimate cure because it gives readers a transformational experience." Sigmund Freud used literature during psychoanalysis. After the First World War, bibliotherapists prescribed Jane Austen novels for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. The book The Novel Cure: An A-Z of Literacy Remedies by Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin recommends fiction for a plethora of disorders (http://thenovelcure.com/about). The authors are currently working on a children's version, A Spoonful of Stories, due out in 2016.
Given that we have more self help books than ever on the bookstore shelves, why aren't we happier?
According to Dovey, it's not reading self help books per se that helps us deal with our problems. It's reading fiction. Dovey explains the science: a 2011 study mentioned mirror neurons in the brain. These neurons "fire in our brains both when we perform an action ourselves and when we see an action performed by someone else." Therefore, if we observe a character acting in a certain manner, we have the ability to put ourselves in his or her shoes. Dovey quoted another study which revealed that people who regularly read literary fiction score higher on social perception and empathy tests
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_neuron).
Bibliotherapists prove once again the value of reading. Not only does reading open one's mind to knowledge, but also to empathy. The ability to empathize can improve our relationships and can make us happier people.
I value your page. This is my first time visiting and it is altogether lovely. I am a voracious reader and this page provides much insight. Thank you.
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