When Nietzsche Wept
A Novel of Obsession
by Irvin D. Yalom · first published 1992
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
A fictionalized blend of history and philosophy that brings Nietzsche and Breuer together. It offers an accessible way into philosophy for readers who want to learn some of its ideas.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
In 19th-century Vienna, a drama of love, fate, and will is played out amid the intellectual ferment that defined the era. Josef Breuer, one of the founding fathers of psychoanalysis, is at the height of his career. Friedrich Nietzsche, Europe's greatest philosopher, is on the brink of suicidal despair, unable to find a cure for the headaches and other ailments that plague him. When he agrees to treat Nietzsche with his experimental "talking cure", Breuer never expects that he, too, will find solace in their sessions. Only through facing his own inner demons can the gifted healer begin to he
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I just finished reading Irvin Yalom's "When Nietzsche wept", and though it probably didn't give a fair view of Nietzsche philosophy, it was great anyway :) Probably make it much nicer than it actually is.
on “A new book about Nietzsche: tethering philosophy to the mess of daily experience” ↗'The Schopenhauer Cure' and 'When Nietzsche Wept', both by Irvin D. Yalom
on “Ask HN: Books that changed your life?” ↗The Schopenhauer Cure: http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0066214416/ When Nietzsche Wept: http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0060975504/
on “Ask HN: Books that changed your life?” ↗…David Christian compares to A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. Otherwise, if anyone is looking for other recommendations for summer reading: - Sculpting in Time by Andrei Tarkovsky - When Nietzsche Wept by Irvin D. Yalom - The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge by Rainer Maria Rilke
on “Books worth reading this summer” ↗By Irvin Yalom. Great if you also want to learn bit of philosophy: - When Nietzsche Wept - The Schopenhauer Cure - The Spinoza Problem
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗…hand book table somewhere, it's very dry though and mostly just presents evidence without drawing conclusions. Cat's Craddle - Kurt Vonnegut __ I love the word Karass. Lots of travelers like this book. When Nietzsche wept __ Amazing book, the amount of strategy in their conversations is amazing and the book is just high quality. Best to know some stuff about Nietzsche and that era before you read it though. Teach us to…
on “Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?” ↗