Content Curation World

Though you may have not heard about "bibliotherapy" before,"lovers of literature have been using novels as salves – either consciously or subconsciously – for centuries."

Bibliotherapists, are expert book curators, who can, depending on your ailment or pain, suggest a specific set of books to read. And in 2008 an official Bibliotherapy Service was born.

"When the School of Life opened its doors in 2008, we began to see clients – in person, by skype, in London, in Bognor Regis, Barcelona, Bangkok – for individual 40-minute sessions, after which we sent them a tailor-made eight-book prescription.

We became so busy we took on a third bibliotherapist, ex bookshop-manager, Simona Lyons.

Five years on, having tried and tested our cures, we have written an alternative medical reference book, The Novel Cure: An A-Z of Literary Remedies*

Whether you are "...moving house, looking for Mr/Mrs Right, or having a midlife crisis...  ...losing a loved one or becoming a single parent... ...Whether you’ve got the hiccups or a hangover, a fear of commitment or a sense of humour failure..." in The Novel Cure there is a selected novel or book that can help you. 

The Novel Cure is not a medical reference book but a curated selection of what to read to heal any pain: physical or psychological without ever suggesting any traditional remedy or medicine. 

The suggested readings include anything from Apuleius to the contemporary Ali Smith embracing over two thousand years of world literature. 

Thanks to Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin, for having shared their wonderful story and for providing such an inspiring and useful resource for many. 

Quite an inspiring story. 8/10

Original article:

http://www.theschooloflife.com/blog/2013/09/the-novel-cure/ 

see also: thenovelcure.com