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[Time To Talk] [By: Hart, Roderick] [October, 2013]
Maxwell Frei claims to be a photographer to qualify for cheap office space in an art collective known as The Warehouse. In fact he's a counsellor, and though his degree is not in psychology he has studied the subject and knows the score. Anti-depressants don't work and he has the evidence to prove it. As for the many therapies out there, they aren't worth a row of beans. His attitude is he doesn't listen to the experts, he listens to his clients. And everything goes well till one of them steps in front of a moving car and the police come knocking on his door. Now the focus of a criminal investigation, Max is scrambling to keep his secret hidden from the collective while crafting explanations that will keep his girlfriend happy. Soon, however, the questions start to pile up. It's time to talk, but the more he says the worse it gets.
Paperback
First published October 10, 2013
344 people want to read
About the author
Roderick Hart
9 books25 followersI have made bubble gum in Pennsylvania, studied folk music in Afghanistan, published poetry in anthologies of Scottish verse, and worked for many years in a recording studio training students in scripting, recording, editing, and studio operations. An active member of a BPD support group (Borderline Personality Disorder) I have learned the hard way the strain this condition puts not only on the person with the disorder, but on relatives and friends as well. I have two children and live with my wife in the grounds of an old convent on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
The mugshot was taken beside Lake Ontario when I wasn't looking.
The mugshot was taken beside Lake Ontario when I wasn't looking.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 21, 2020
Time to Talk explores what happens when a man assumes the role of a therapist without the proper credentials. Maxwell Frei has extensively educated himself in the field and considers himself qualified given the imprecise nature of psychology itself. He believes every patient's condition and problems are unique to him or her and thus should be treated as such. In his mind, a degree would not make him any more qualified. Unfortunately, others don't agree, and he soon finds himself in legal trouble. Frei is a likable character, and the reader easily empathizes with him. He's joined by a cast of similarly well-developed characters.
The writing is intelligent, thought-provoking, and witty. A thoroughly engaging read.
The writing is intelligent, thought-provoking, and witty. A thoroughly engaging read.
June 1, 2014
"Time To Talk" which I won from Goodreads Giveaways is a fascinating and intriguing story that begins with Maxwell (Frei) Anderson an unqualified counsellor who believes that curing a patient should not be subject to "off-the-shelf solutions, medications or specific therapies" but by listening to, and treating each patient individually. Having studied psychology texts for years he feels more than equipped to open an office in The Warehouse, owned by an art collective and to begin taking clients. What he doesn't expect is that one of his clients will step in front of a moving car which will unleash an investigation and his arrest for fraud.
This unique and imaginative plot is filled with deadpan humour and witty dialogue. Written like a memoir in the first person, the story is a little slow at first but quickly heats up as Max interacts with eccentric characters who need his expertise in dealing with an identity crisis, a philandering husband, the vagaries of the universe, and the vanity of life. Although non-fiction, the narrative is intelligent and thought-provoking, raising issues about mental health and illness.
The characters are well-developed and realistic, adding energy, drama and intensity to the story. Maxwell (Dr. Frei) wants to live an uncomplicated life, but one with a purpose. A clever man with many talents he uses his amateur photography to gain a place in an art collective, has several of his photographic pieces sold or stolen, and an offer to teach an adult education course. Reticent and finicky, with acute interest in psychology Max 's world is turned upside down when he's suspected of giving narcotics to a client who's accidently killed. But, he's a man who likes to speak his mind which gets him into more trouble than he could ever have imagined. Faith Gordon a librarian and a perfectionist is Max's soul-mate. Endowed with a razor-sharp analytical mind she's orderly, stubborn, and hates repetition which brings her to Dr. Frei for consultation about her borderline personality disorder. Quickly she becomes more than just another client to her smitten counsellor. DS Maureen McNeil is a chameleon in looks and temperament. When her power and control is challenged she quickly becomes a formidable adversary, vengeful, unforgiving and unpredictable. She will do anything to make a case against Max which her partner Detective Constable Hunter finds distasteful and unethical, but can do nothing to contravene.
"Time To Talk" is a captivating story you can't put down. It's well worth reading and I will be looking for more novels by this talented author.
This unique and imaginative plot is filled with deadpan humour and witty dialogue. Written like a memoir in the first person, the story is a little slow at first but quickly heats up as Max interacts with eccentric characters who need his expertise in dealing with an identity crisis, a philandering husband, the vagaries of the universe, and the vanity of life. Although non-fiction, the narrative is intelligent and thought-provoking, raising issues about mental health and illness.
The characters are well-developed and realistic, adding energy, drama and intensity to the story. Maxwell (Dr. Frei) wants to live an uncomplicated life, but one with a purpose. A clever man with many talents he uses his amateur photography to gain a place in an art collective, has several of his photographic pieces sold or stolen, and an offer to teach an adult education course. Reticent and finicky, with acute interest in psychology Max 's world is turned upside down when he's suspected of giving narcotics to a client who's accidently killed. But, he's a man who likes to speak his mind which gets him into more trouble than he could ever have imagined. Faith Gordon a librarian and a perfectionist is Max's soul-mate. Endowed with a razor-sharp analytical mind she's orderly, stubborn, and hates repetition which brings her to Dr. Frei for consultation about her borderline personality disorder. Quickly she becomes more than just another client to her smitten counsellor. DS Maureen McNeil is a chameleon in looks and temperament. When her power and control is challenged she quickly becomes a formidable adversary, vengeful, unforgiving and unpredictable. She will do anything to make a case against Max which her partner Detective Constable Hunter finds distasteful and unethical, but can do nothing to contravene.
"Time To Talk" is a captivating story you can't put down. It's well worth reading and I will be looking for more novels by this talented author.
March 15, 2014
When you're working your way round the world you take what jobs you can get. One of these is working as a carer and you soon discover there's a difference between the physically and the mentally challenged.
As far as I can see there are many conditions recognized by mental health professionals, but not in the way physical diseases are. Does someone have measles? It's fairly easy to find out and to be sure. Does someone have BPD, OCD, ADD or any of the numerous conditions with abbreviated tags attached to them? That isn't so obvious since the symptoms are a matter of debate. And also, again as far as I can see, patients often seem to show signs of more than one condition. So maybe the conditions aren't so well defined in the first place.
In this book the narrator, Max Frei, has come to the conclusion that when it comes to mental problems each person is different and will require a different solution. The only way to help is to figure out what the problem is by listening.
Max works as a counsellor, but there's a problem. He has studied psychology but doesn't have a qualification. This is never going to work. The first thing which goes wrong is the death of a client in a traffic accident. The police discover that the patient was on LSD at the time and suspect Max of supplying it. Then another client makes a complaint. Although he later regrets this and withdraws it, the police follow it up anyway up and discover that he Max is not accredited.
There are several layers to this book. Max rents a studio in an art collective and we meet some of the artists, two of whom are quite important in his life. And though at the start of the book Max does not have a girl-friend, he acquires one - a librarian by the name of Faith. She turns out to be a woman of character who is is a great support to him as events take their course. Since he ends up in court he can do with all the support he can get.
This book is very well written. Despite the serious questions it raises, there is quite a lot of humour in the situations the unfortunate Max gets himself into.
As far as I can see there are many conditions recognized by mental health professionals, but not in the way physical diseases are. Does someone have measles? It's fairly easy to find out and to be sure. Does someone have BPD, OCD, ADD or any of the numerous conditions with abbreviated tags attached to them? That isn't so obvious since the symptoms are a matter of debate. And also, again as far as I can see, patients often seem to show signs of more than one condition. So maybe the conditions aren't so well defined in the first place.
In this book the narrator, Max Frei, has come to the conclusion that when it comes to mental problems each person is different and will require a different solution. The only way to help is to figure out what the problem is by listening.
Max works as a counsellor, but there's a problem. He has studied psychology but doesn't have a qualification. This is never going to work. The first thing which goes wrong is the death of a client in a traffic accident. The police discover that the patient was on LSD at the time and suspect Max of supplying it. Then another client makes a complaint. Although he later regrets this and withdraws it, the police follow it up anyway up and discover that he Max is not accredited.
There are several layers to this book. Max rents a studio in an art collective and we meet some of the artists, two of whom are quite important in his life. And though at the start of the book Max does not have a girl-friend, he acquires one - a librarian by the name of Faith. She turns out to be a woman of character who is is a great support to him as events take their course. Since he ends up in court he can do with all the support he can get.
This book is very well written. Despite the serious questions it raises, there is quite a lot of humour in the situations the unfortunate Max gets himself into.
May 30, 2014
Time to Talk by Roderick Hart
After much study Max sets himself up as a psychotherapist in an art studio complex, under the subterfuge of being a photographer. The colourful characters he meets in the art world and during therapy sessions makes an intriguing introduction to his new self contained life. Just when you think he ‘has it made’ his life becomes increasingly complicated when one of his clients dies and the police are involved. Once Max is in their sights they don’t seem to be able to let go. At the same time Max’s expectation to remain single and carefree is also challenged as he meets Faith, a librarian, who becomes the centre of his life at a time when he has genuine need of a life companion who truly understands his complicated , even sticky, situation and accepts Max as he is.
I read ‘Time to Talk’ as a memoir, written in the first person, which makes it all the more powerful. It is an intriguing reflection of human nature, albeit fiction, but each person is so well described that it is entirely believable and an enjoyable read.
After much study Max sets himself up as a psychotherapist in an art studio complex, under the subterfuge of being a photographer. The colourful characters he meets in the art world and during therapy sessions makes an intriguing introduction to his new self contained life. Just when you think he ‘has it made’ his life becomes increasingly complicated when one of his clients dies and the police are involved. Once Max is in their sights they don’t seem to be able to let go. At the same time Max’s expectation to remain single and carefree is also challenged as he meets Faith, a librarian, who becomes the centre of his life at a time when he has genuine need of a life companion who truly understands his complicated , even sticky, situation and accepts Max as he is.
I read ‘Time to Talk’ as a memoir, written in the first person, which makes it all the more powerful. It is an intriguing reflection of human nature, albeit fiction, but each person is so well described that it is entirely believable and an enjoyable read.
May 12, 2014
Time to Talk
I received this book from goodreads.com first reads.
I found it very enjoyable. Maxwell Frei is a plausible and likeable character, and his friends also were easy to engage with.
The prose flows very smoothly and I had my fingers crossed hoping that everything would work out well for him.
If you want to find out what happens, the book is well worth reading.
I received this book from goodreads.com first reads.
I found it very enjoyable. Maxwell Frei is a plausible and likeable character, and his friends also were easy to engage with.
The prose flows very smoothly and I had my fingers crossed hoping that everything would work out well for him.
If you want to find out what happens, the book is well worth reading.
May 13, 2014
I recieved this book from a giveaway on Goodreads. I as really interested in it when I got it in the mail and started right away. There was dry humour and a main character was very logical. The story progression (which is apparently part memoir) paces well, the ending is a little quick but the idea gets across. Overall I really enjoyed this book and would reread it again.
October 22, 2014
i got this book in a giveaway on this site took a while to read it with life going on but i eventually finished it and i have to say i only really liked the narrative voice but thats just because it sounds familiar to my inner dialogue at points other than that it is a pretty bland book interesting at points but overall has a sort of bleh feel
May 17, 2014
I received this book form the Goodreads giveaway. This book was fun to read. I would like to thank Roderick for the opportunity to read this book. I would recommend this book to everyone. I hope you enjoy it as much as i did.
August 3, 2016
I won a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program and think that it interesting. I would recommend it to everyone.
June 20, 2014
Enjoyable book with likable characters
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews