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Satan: His Psychotherapy and Cure by the Unfortunate Dr. Seymour Kassler, J.S.P.S.
Alas, poor Satan. He's not happy. No one seems to like or understand him; people have got him all wrong. And his relationship with God is a hostile one. Unloved and misunderstood, he's come back to Earth in search of a psychotherapist; he's prepared--if cured--to deliver the all-important Great Answer.
In Jeremy Leven's wildly original comic novel, we follow the Prince of Darkness through his seven amazing therapy sessions. And we watch him grow increasingly well adjusted while his therapist, the unfortunate Dr. Kassler, descends deeper and deeper into hell.
478 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 1982
82 people are currently reading
2373 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Leven
9 books22 followersBorn in South Bend, Indiana and raised in Rye, New York, Jeremy Leven was educated at St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland (Philosophy and other liberal arts), Harvard University (Education and Child Psychology), the University of Connecticut (Neuroscience) and Yale Medical School where he was a fellow in the Yale University Department of Psychiatry's Child Study Center. He has also been a member of the faculty of Harvard, a Professor of Psychopharmacology, Director of a Mental Health Center, and Director of Drug Treatment and Methadone Programs for Western Massachusetts.
Leven has written two critically-acclaimed novels, published in 17 languages: Creator (Coward McCann) and Satan's Psychotherapy (Knopf), as well as the screenplays for The Notebook, Creator, The Legend of Bagger Vance, My Sister's Keeper, Real Steel, and Wers Glaubt Wird Selig, among others. He also directed and wrote Don Juan DeMarco, and Girl On A Bicycle.
Leven divides his time between homes in Connecticut and Manhattan. His wife of 41 years, the acclaimed psychotherapist Roberta Danza, died in 2017. They have five grown children and four grandchildren.
Leven has written two critically-acclaimed novels, published in 17 languages: Creator (Coward McCann) and Satan's Psychotherapy (Knopf), as well as the screenplays for The Notebook, Creator, The Legend of Bagger Vance, My Sister's Keeper, Real Steel, and Wers Glaubt Wird Selig, among others. He also directed and wrote Don Juan DeMarco, and Girl On A Bicycle.
Leven divides his time between homes in Connecticut and Manhattan. His wife of 41 years, the acclaimed psychotherapist Roberta Danza, died in 2017. They have five grown children and four grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 21, 2010
By page 10, I was thinking the main character was a poor bastard. By page 50, I figured his life had hit rock bottom. From page 50 to page 476, I kept thinking, "okay, now he's hit rock bottom". Then It Got Worse.
That book has consumed something like 7 hours of my life I will never get back.
I was promised a funny story about a dude trying to cure Satan. Instead, I got...this.
That book has consumed something like 7 hours of my life I will never get back.
I was promised a funny story about a dude trying to cure Satan. Instead, I got...this.
November 1, 2012
Innovative, inspired, beautifully constructed, informative and, on occasions, hitting like a sledgehammer, Satan is a terrific book and I strongly recommend it. There is a an old tee shirt from the seventies which shows a dog. An eye patch, a broken leg, scratches and cuts everywhere, a floppy ear, staring straight into space.
The caption underneath? "Answers to the name of Lucky".
This is Sy Kassler, the protagonist in Jeremy Leven's book. If it can go wrong, it will do. Everything he does inexorably leads to disaster. Like the wings of a butterfly causing a hurricane in Tokyo, a single note written by Kassler and thrown in a bin can cause complete and utter havoc.
His career, his marriage, his family, his kids - the Tokyo under the impact of the Hurricane. The more heartbreaking and heartrending his struggles, the lower he falls, the more painful his descent into Hell, the more he becomes able to psychoanalyse Satan himself.
I could not put this book down.
It has everything I want to read about in a book. It is bleak and black, with a cruel streak. Yet it is infused with humour: clever jokes, unexpected twists, the childish, guilty laughter when you witness someone walking into a lamppost.
There are real people in extraordinary situations. You can see the cruel vagaries of fate in action. There is philosophy, a ruthless, unhinged view of psychology; (Psychologists will love this book!)There are mad scientists, soulless and dark eyed. There are beautiful, but amoral women (Leven is almost biblically moral about women),and most of all, there is Sy. Dr Sy Kassler. A man you root for like you've never rooted for anyone in your life, and yet, the more you root for him, the more he suffers, the more cunning the schemes of his torturers and the more his painful journey to the most distant circles of Hell continues.
There were times I threw the book away. There are four passages in there which will, if you are human, make you angry, impossibly angry and yet, if you are like me, you will not be able to stop reading.
Buy this book. If you can find it!
The caption underneath? "Answers to the name of Lucky".
This is Sy Kassler, the protagonist in Jeremy Leven's book. If it can go wrong, it will do. Everything he does inexorably leads to disaster. Like the wings of a butterfly causing a hurricane in Tokyo, a single note written by Kassler and thrown in a bin can cause complete and utter havoc.
His career, his marriage, his family, his kids - the Tokyo under the impact of the Hurricane. The more heartbreaking and heartrending his struggles, the lower he falls, the more painful his descent into Hell, the more he becomes able to psychoanalyse Satan himself.
I could not put this book down.
It has everything I want to read about in a book. It is bleak and black, with a cruel streak. Yet it is infused with humour: clever jokes, unexpected twists, the childish, guilty laughter when you witness someone walking into a lamppost.
There are real people in extraordinary situations. You can see the cruel vagaries of fate in action. There is philosophy, a ruthless, unhinged view of psychology; (Psychologists will love this book!)There are mad scientists, soulless and dark eyed. There are beautiful, but amoral women (Leven is almost biblically moral about women),and most of all, there is Sy. Dr Sy Kassler. A man you root for like you've never rooted for anyone in your life, and yet, the more you root for him, the more he suffers, the more cunning the schemes of his torturers and the more his painful journey to the most distant circles of Hell continues.
There were times I threw the book away. There are four passages in there which will, if you are human, make you angry, impossibly angry and yet, if you are like me, you will not be able to stop reading.
Buy this book. If you can find it!
August 14, 2012
I read this book back in the 1980's when I was at university and only remember it now because and old photo of me emerged recently with my holding this book in my hand. I recall being both horrified, and yet extremely amused by the trials and tribulations of poor Dr Sy Kassler (Just Some Poor Schmuck) as he puts Satan though a series of increasingly odd psychotherapy sessions.
It's very Joseph Heller in its construction and in its hilariously downbeat view of the world. It's like a train-wreck in slow motion as Satan's therapy sessions continue and more and more bad stuff keeps happening to Dr Kassler, and yet he keeps coming back for more. There are a few moments in the book that are simply blacker than black, but with genius comic timing.
If you ever find a copy of this in a second-hand bookshop I truly recommend it.
It's very Joseph Heller in its construction and in its hilariously downbeat view of the world. It's like a train-wreck in slow motion as Satan's therapy sessions continue and more and more bad stuff keeps happening to Dr Kassler, and yet he keeps coming back for more. There are a few moments in the book that are simply blacker than black, but with genius comic timing.
If you ever find a copy of this in a second-hand bookshop I truly recommend it.
November 14, 2008
This was a great read, one of these where I kept thinking, "What kinda crazy bastard would think up a plot like this?"
This book ran the gamut of emotions from absolute grief (I almost couldn't even read the bits about the way Kassler's ex-wife treated him, and the shit with the kids, it was so fucking sad), to hilarity.
As always with me, I enjoy another non-church look at God & the Devil, as fascinating a topic as there ever has been.
This book ran the gamut of emotions from absolute grief (I almost couldn't even read the bits about the way Kassler's ex-wife treated him, and the shit with the kids, it was so fucking sad), to hilarity.
As always with me, I enjoy another non-church look at God & the Devil, as fascinating a topic as there ever has been.
July 1, 2011
This book holds a lot of profound truths delivered in an entertaining and novel way. Ultimately I had to rate it low because of the amount of distasteful and unnecessary debauchery. So sad. I'm not sorry I read it, though I would be embarrassed for some people to know what I've read. Ultimately, it was a good book for me right now, but had too many visuals I don't need floating around in my brain for eternity. Skip it.
Loved that Satan was his relatively true evasive self full of trickery and deflection, riding the razor-thin line of truth. Loved that hope prevails for our flawed, but ultimately human and good Dr Kassler. Loved that the lesson is one of a balance between having control over one's own life and self, but recognizing others choices are theirs and within only their control. Loved the lesson that if someone can't keep their individual problems from hurting others that they should keep to themselves and learn or get help, as needed, until they can. Like I said, some really good truths, just some extras that could have been skipped and still saved the book.
Loved that Satan was his relatively true evasive self full of trickery and deflection, riding the razor-thin line of truth. Loved that hope prevails for our flawed, but ultimately human and good Dr Kassler. Loved that the lesson is one of a balance between having control over one's own life and self, but recognizing others choices are theirs and within only their control. Loved the lesson that if someone can't keep their individual problems from hurting others that they should keep to themselves and learn or get help, as needed, until they can. Like I said, some really good truths, just some extras that could have been skipped and still saved the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2014
Before you dismiss this book as either dismissing or supporting religion based purely on its title, know that it hardly touches the subject. It is very much about the human condition and how everyone has their own foibles and what people need to know is how to deal with both their own and other people's issues. There is quite a bit of information about modern psychiatric practice and discusses not only whether or not it can be effective, but what methods are the most feasible.
The best thing about the novel is its sense of humor. Like Kurt Vonnegut or Philip Roth, Jeremy Leven has a great ability to discuss important aspects of life in a funny way. Of course, like those authors, there are also moments that are depressing and horrific, but it is the way that all of these elements are balanced that make it great.
The best thing about the novel is its sense of humor. Like Kurt Vonnegut or Philip Roth, Jeremy Leven has a great ability to discuss important aspects of life in a funny way. Of course, like those authors, there are also moments that are depressing and horrific, but it is the way that all of these elements are balanced that make it great.
January 5, 2022
With a dash of philosophy, psychology and psychiatry, we have a piece of this book.
With a bit of mystery, and belief; mixing history and reality with fiction, this genius book develops.
With some sense of humour, with an open mind, I feel it is impossible not to love this book.
It develops in a non-predictable way although we have time jumps and various omens. But it develops in an almost natural and easy way, even the fictional part is so easy to believe to be true that I had times to force myself to stop reading because I felt so involved in the story and the book moved me so much.
It's a book that makes us think, it's also a book that shows us that it's not just bad decisions, but fate plays in our lives too, however that doesn't have to lead us to give up or lose hope.
With a bit of mystery, and belief; mixing history and reality with fiction, this genius book develops.
With some sense of humour, with an open mind, I feel it is impossible not to love this book.
It develops in a non-predictable way although we have time jumps and various omens. But it develops in an almost natural and easy way, even the fictional part is so easy to believe to be true that I had times to force myself to stop reading because I felt so involved in the story and the book moved me so much.
It's a book that makes us think, it's also a book that shows us that it's not just bad decisions, but fate plays in our lives too, however that doesn't have to lead us to give up or lose hope.
December 22, 2022
Satan lives in a computer in the basement of a mentally deranged physicist and poor Sy Kassler, an erstwhile psychotherapist, ends up providing him with therapy while Sy's own life disintegrates.
This is a funny, engaging book, well written and with carefully delineated characters. The plot is complex and surprising. You can finish it, despite the length, in a few days; it's great bedtime reading or beach.
This is a funny, engaging book, well written and with carefully delineated characters. The plot is complex and surprising. You can finish it, despite the length, in a few days; it's great bedtime reading or beach.
December 31, 2015
Like kids and animals, Satan is a scene-stealer. He did it in Paradise Lost and he does it here. But, then again, he ostensibly wrote this book so I guess it's okay.
This is a weird motley of a book. Mostly it is about the Job-like spiraling down of Satan's psychotherapist, Dr. Kassler J.S.P.S (Just Some Poor Schmuck). In the course of the novel Kassler loses everything through no fault of his own - but gains a patient in the computer built by another patient of his. In the course of the therapy of this patient (Satan), both therapist and patient come to Lifetime Channel breakthroughs about themselves.
But Leven has some serious things he is doing here. In his farcical situations that he puts Kassler through, he is showing him how much he can control and when to let go - and how crazy it is to define ourselves by other people's craziness.
BTW Leven must have had a seriously f*&'ed up divorce battle - because that part of the book seems a little too real! Writing this book may even be a way the author dealt with it.
This is a weird motley of a book. Mostly it is about the Job-like spiraling down of Satan's psychotherapist, Dr. Kassler J.S.P.S (Just Some Poor Schmuck). In the course of the novel Kassler loses everything through no fault of his own - but gains a patient in the computer built by another patient of his. In the course of the therapy of this patient (Satan), both therapist and patient come to Lifetime Channel breakthroughs about themselves.
But Leven has some serious things he is doing here. In his farcical situations that he puts Kassler through, he is showing him how much he can control and when to let go - and how crazy it is to define ourselves by other people's craziness.
BTW Leven must have had a seriously f*&'ed up divorce battle - because that part of the book seems a little too real! Writing this book may even be a way the author dealt with it.
July 18, 2017
I found the first 87 pages of this novel to be very clever and funny. In fact, I recommended it to a number of people, so inspired was I. However after that the story seems to take a nosedive into a soap operish series of events, making Dr. Kassler's life a complete wreck. Now even in a book about Satan I need to see a little hope somewhere. I should have known the creativity in the first fifth of the book could not be sustained, because one generally needs a plot, and it was in search of a plot (which this book does in fact have) that we are forced to deal with the bizarre (and probably supposed to be humorous, though I did not find them so) actions of Dr. Kassler. Well, I stuck with it to the end. And, while there were moments of inspiration throughout the book, they were too few and far between for me to give it more than three stars. Five stars for the first 87 pages and two stars for the rest of the book.
May 12, 2008
No one has ever done a subtler or a more devastating send up of the psychiatric/psychology industry, nor have many been able to insinuate sly philosophical digressions into a frothing satiric text with such grace and pacing. This satan, faceless, locking himself inside a computer in a public gallery, has the charm to coax a snake out of new skin. The complications are wonderfully wild and orchestrated, and Kassler's travails as a single dad trying to rekindle a relationship with his children are heart breaking as they are potently hilarious.
I am in the league that lent his copy out, and I've been trying to replace it for years. This book needs to come back into print. Author Leven has given us one of the best structured, best written American comic novels, and its a disservice to the reading public to keep it out of print
I am in the league that lent his copy out, and I've been trying to replace it for years. This book needs to come back into print. Author Leven has given us one of the best structured, best written American comic novels, and its a disservice to the reading public to keep it out of print
May 17, 2018
I highly recommend this book. In the tradition of Marlow and Goethe, Leven has given us a tale akin to Dr. Faustus. There are certainly noticeable plot lines that are similar to Faust's engagement with the world, these played out by various characters. Jobian themes also pervade our poor protagonist who is caught in a web of divine drama.
Hats off to decent use of psychological theory and research, particularly for the 1980s. Stylistically, the storytelling was also phenomenal. In many ways, one can see the influence on authors like Daniel handler, a.k.a., lemony Snicket.
Patrick J. McElfresh, Ph.D
Unitycarepsychologists.com
Hats off to decent use of psychological theory and research, particularly for the 1980s. Stylistically, the storytelling was also phenomenal. In many ways, one can see the influence on authors like Daniel handler, a.k.a., lemony Snicket.
Patrick J. McElfresh, Ph.D
Unitycarepsychologists.com
January 7, 2021
Hell of a book
Read
July 20, 2020It’s a bit more than 10 pages long. I’ve never been able to figure out how to correct these Goodreads errors.
I read it a few times near its initial release and found it very funny. This is the first re-read in about 30 years and perhaps it was not the novel to read while I was in a fairly deep depression. I had to put it away a couple of times. While there are still lots of laughs threaded through, I found the overall tone was one of hopelessness and that the “poor schmuck” of a psychotherapist, no matter how much Satan insisted against it, was a tragic figure, miserably depressing and abused endlessly by people who kept claiming “it’s not my fault” or (though the precise phrase was not yet commonplace) “it’s not about you.”
I read it a few times near its initial release and found it very funny. This is the first re-read in about 30 years and perhaps it was not the novel to read while I was in a fairly deep depression. I had to put it away a couple of times. While there are still lots of laughs threaded through, I found the overall tone was one of hopelessness and that the “poor schmuck” of a psychotherapist, no matter how much Satan insisted against it, was a tragic figure, miserably depressing and abused endlessly by people who kept claiming “it’s not my fault” or (though the precise phrase was not yet commonplace) “it’s not about you.”
August 6, 2022
Nice book, some parts were unnecessarily detailed, but they added some comic relief. Despite that, the book raises some intriguing themes, for example . I personally found some resemblance to Sy Kassler's life and I am thankful for that, because seeing how he managed his personal relationships made me realise that I should not compromise in relationships/friendships and repeat his mistakes but should instead deal with them now, rather than let them consume me for the biggest part of my life.
February 15, 2022
Okay....so this isn't for everyone. But if you are REALLY into psychology. Or REALLY into the Devil as more of an archetype. Or you REALLY enjoyed the Book of Job in Sunday School..you'll love this. Think of this book as if CS Lewis's Screwtape Letters grew up and had a drinking problem.
February 11, 2023
This book is awesome. Don’t focus on the title. Give this book a chance to make you laugh and to enlighten you
August 26, 2024
To have a creative idea , then write it down with a genius plot , and create interesting characters , implying psychiatry , philosophy , science and history among the pages mixing up fiction with non fiction in the tragic tale of the main character , apart from -the unnecessary obscenities -this is my definition of a great book
October 6, 2021
2.5 rounded up to 3
"Well, the other one is this ridiculous obsession man has about understanding his place in the universe. I can hardly believe it. Do you have any idea how much human energy is consumed every day by people stewing about where they fit into the great cosmic plan-assuming, of course, there is one, and, I assure you, there definitely is not. It's like a grain of sand wondering why it's on the beach. What possible difference could it make?"
"It gives our lives deeper meaning."
"Than what? Deeper than what? Deeper than loving another person? Deeper than a walk through the woods? Deeper than being a child's father?"
Setting:
This book takes place in America in the fairly recent past.
Characters:
Sy Kassler: The extremely unlucky man who will eventually become Satan's therapist.
Vita: Kassler's wife who had intense difficulty deciding what she wants.
Leo: The insane physicist who builds the machine that allows communication with Satan.
Lupa: The physicist's wife.
Zelazo: Kassler's boss.
Plot:
Ostensibly this book is about Satan getting therapy because he's upset that nobody likes him and everyone blames him for literally everything that goes wrong all the time.
I say ostensibly because this book is really only a little bit about that and is much more about the highly unpleasant life of the therapist prior to beginning the therapy.
My Thoughts:
If only this book had been what it claimed it was. The therapy sessions between Satan and Kassler are all really well done. These are absolutely the best parts of the book.
It is thus unfortunate that these sessions make up such a small portion of the book. The majority of the rest of the book is focused on who Kassler and those around him are having sex with. Or who they aren't having sex with but very much wish they were.
The book as a whole seems quite fixated on sex. Multiple explicit sex scenes occur directly on page including the book starting off with one that has troubling implications with regards to the woman's consent.
Kassler is put through the wringer and the reader gets to see every bit of his misery and woe as it is pressed upon him again and again. The book does manage to avoid being depressing despite the constant hardships Kassler faces, but it’s far from cheery.
While religion is by necessity present to a degree, it is less present than might be assumed based on the subject matter and the text neither condemns nor idolizes it.
It’s a mixed bag of some good and some less so. On the whole it’s decent, though the blurb is selling something the book actually only marginally is.
"Well, the other one is this ridiculous obsession man has about understanding his place in the universe. I can hardly believe it. Do you have any idea how much human energy is consumed every day by people stewing about where they fit into the great cosmic plan-assuming, of course, there is one, and, I assure you, there definitely is not. It's like a grain of sand wondering why it's on the beach. What possible difference could it make?"
"It gives our lives deeper meaning."
"Than what? Deeper than what? Deeper than loving another person? Deeper than a walk through the woods? Deeper than being a child's father?"
Setting:
This book takes place in America in the fairly recent past.
Characters:
Sy Kassler: The extremely unlucky man who will eventually become Satan's therapist.
Vita: Kassler's wife who had intense difficulty deciding what she wants.
Leo: The insane physicist who builds the machine that allows communication with Satan.
Lupa: The physicist's wife.
Zelazo: Kassler's boss.
Plot:
Ostensibly this book is about Satan getting therapy because he's upset that nobody likes him and everyone blames him for literally everything that goes wrong all the time.
I say ostensibly because this book is really only a little bit about that and is much more about the highly unpleasant life of the therapist prior to beginning the therapy.
My Thoughts:
If only this book had been what it claimed it was. The therapy sessions between Satan and Kassler are all really well done. These are absolutely the best parts of the book.
It is thus unfortunate that these sessions make up such a small portion of the book. The majority of the rest of the book is focused on who Kassler and those around him are having sex with. Or who they aren't having sex with but very much wish they were.
The book as a whole seems quite fixated on sex. Multiple explicit sex scenes occur directly on page including the book starting off with one that has troubling implications with regards to the woman's consent.
Kassler is put through the wringer and the reader gets to see every bit of his misery and woe as it is pressed upon him again and again. The book does manage to avoid being depressing despite the constant hardships Kassler faces, but it’s far from cheery.
While religion is by necessity present to a degree, it is less present than might be assumed based on the subject matter and the text neither condemns nor idolizes it.
It’s a mixed bag of some good and some less so. On the whole it’s decent, though the blurb is selling something the book actually only marginally is.
November 22, 2021
I read this novel in junior high and fell in love with it right around when we were all reading Hitchhiker's Guide. This was about the time amongst my peer group where it was "cool" to carry a giant honking novel around with your textbooks between classes. I read so many big, dumb books then. There was, of course, the L. Ron Hubbard decalogy "Mission Earth", which I made it maybe five volumes in. This was in response to my friend, Terry Conger, reading Hubbard's "Battlefield Earth" and trying to outdo him. Wish I would have read Battlefield Earth instead. Anyway, we used to go to the Cattermole Public Library and try to find giant new novels to impress exactly no one except 4 or 5 members of our friends group. I found this book, "Satan" because Satan was kind of still edgy in the late 80s and it had almost 500 pages. Perfect.
I haven't seen this book since probably 1988 or 1989, so I can't tell you what it's about. It probably had a lot of New York 80s neurosis in it, which was way over my head. I can tell you I was fascinated by the idea of an Artificial Intelligence who thought it was Satan. I remember a woman having sex with a knob that was part of the Satan/Computer construct. That was cool for me then. I remember the dialogue felt witty for my Douglas Adams primed brain. Jeremy Leven went on to write a bunch of good movies, so that makes sense.
This is not a recommendation, obviously. You aren't going to track a copy of this book down. But gosh, sometimes when you are trying to flex on your nerd friends you find a gem, and this was one of them.
I haven't seen this book since probably 1988 or 1989, so I can't tell you what it's about. It probably had a lot of New York 80s neurosis in it, which was way over my head. I can tell you I was fascinated by the idea of an Artificial Intelligence who thought it was Satan. I remember a woman having sex with a knob that was part of the Satan/Computer construct. That was cool for me then. I remember the dialogue felt witty for my Douglas Adams primed brain. Jeremy Leven went on to write a bunch of good movies, so that makes sense.
This is not a recommendation, obviously. You aren't going to track a copy of this book down. But gosh, sometimes when you are trying to flex on your nerd friends you find a gem, and this was one of them.
Read
January 8, 2011Satan: His Psychotherapy and Cure by the Unfortunate Dr. Kassler, J.S.P.S.
by Jereby Leven
“A wonderful, amusing story of Sy Kassler who, after a series of unfortunate events, ends up counseling a computer which may or may not be the embodiment of Satan. Although at times Dr. Kassler’s story is tragic (indeed, the “J.S.P.S.” in the title stands for “just some poor schmuck”), the book has an overall darkly comedic tone and explores concepts such as good & evil, psychotherapy itself, and history in the context of humanity’s foibles and misdeeds. Highly recommended.”
–EG/TS&Reference
by Jereby Leven
“A wonderful, amusing story of Sy Kassler who, after a series of unfortunate events, ends up counseling a computer which may or may not be the embodiment of Satan. Although at times Dr. Kassler’s story is tragic (indeed, the “J.S.P.S.” in the title stands for “just some poor schmuck”), the book has an overall darkly comedic tone and explores concepts such as good & evil, psychotherapy itself, and history in the context of humanity’s foibles and misdeeds. Highly recommended.”
–EG/TS&Reference
December 5, 2018
Gosh, I have loved this book for over three decades. The best part of the book is where Satan argues its case as being created by stupid non-Hebrew humans (i.e., Greeks) who did not understand what the word "satan" means. Satan in the book explains its origins and how it came to exist as one of the Christian gods. A delight of a book to read!
May 26, 2017
It was a bawdy, raucous romp through the meaning of life as told by Satan and unleashed on poor Sy Kassler. It was not at all what I expected and rated a hard R for sex, I'd recommend it still if you enjoy black humor and searching for the meaning of it all.
July 18, 2020
I wanted to love this book more than I did. That said, it was still pretty funny. Just how you'd imagine a depressed devil. The middle felt a tad too long but when it came together in the end I wasn't too mad at it.
July 14, 2018
I read this over 20 years ago, while in college. Loved it. Need to re-read!
May 7, 2019
‘Satan: His Psychotherapy and Cure by the Unfortunate Dr. Kassler, J.S.P.S.’ was published in 1982. I read it at the age of 23 in 1983. For the life of me, I can’t remember any of the story but kept my original copy because it brought up a warm fuzzy feeling whenever I saw the book cover. I’m guessing I must’ve enjoyed it back during the Reagan years. Well, five presidents have come and gone since then and it seemed like a good time for levity considering bumbling Foghorn Leghorn is our president. It should be obvious from the title that Mr. Leven’s novel is not a satanic guidebook but farce. Heck, it’s highly intelligent farce. I smiled or laughed frequently while reading the thing. As other reviewers pointed out, it has the feel of Joseph Heller’s ‘Catch-22.’
If you are easily offended or uncomfortable by discussions about sexuality, religious beliefs, psychology, relationships, and what makes humans tick, then run far, run fast. This book is not for you. Even the heavy issues are covered in a humorous manner. None of the major characters are without their complications. The two prominent women in the story are emotionally unbalanced individuals that will infuriate diehard feminists who look for strong-willed role models. The men are posturing popinjays. While Satan is an important component of the novel, it’s mostly a story about therapist Dr. Sy Kassler. The poor guy just can’t seem to get a break. There are references to events from the nineteen-seventies that may go over younger readers’ heads unless they put in the effort to use the internet for clarification. If you don’t, then you’ll be missing out on some of the jokes. For instance, New York’s Times Square during the seventies was quite squalid before gentrification took hold. The environment described in the book represents a down-and-out atmosphere. There is a smattering of profanity but it’s the occasional graphic sexual content that stands out. I could have done without the orgy scene but it does have its funny moments. Practically everyone in the story is manipulative. Some of the times it is rationalized as being a good thing while other times it is done purely for self-interest.
Mr. Leven created an awesome thought-provoking novel, right down to the smile-inducing last three words of the book. Many times it was insightful while it also made me laugh about topics such as death, religious doctrine, homosexuality, infidelity, intellectual sparring, the nature of friendship, divorce, mental-health conditions, and how the symbol of Satan has evolved over the millennia. Honesty may be the best policy, but not in this novel. It frequently bites the honest fellow in his or her tochus. Dr. Kassler agreeing to give Satan seven private sessions leads to oodles of wonderful banter between the two. ‘Satan’ will probably be agreeable to the reader who has an open mind and a rough sense of humor. It’s meant to challenge your beliefs through an allegorical whoopee cushion. You have been warned.
If you are easily offended or uncomfortable by discussions about sexuality, religious beliefs, psychology, relationships, and what makes humans tick, then run far, run fast. This book is not for you. Even the heavy issues are covered in a humorous manner. None of the major characters are without their complications. The two prominent women in the story are emotionally unbalanced individuals that will infuriate diehard feminists who look for strong-willed role models. The men are posturing popinjays. While Satan is an important component of the novel, it’s mostly a story about therapist Dr. Sy Kassler. The poor guy just can’t seem to get a break. There are references to events from the nineteen-seventies that may go over younger readers’ heads unless they put in the effort to use the internet for clarification. If you don’t, then you’ll be missing out on some of the jokes. For instance, New York’s Times Square during the seventies was quite squalid before gentrification took hold. The environment described in the book represents a down-and-out atmosphere. There is a smattering of profanity but it’s the occasional graphic sexual content that stands out. I could have done without the orgy scene but it does have its funny moments. Practically everyone in the story is manipulative. Some of the times it is rationalized as being a good thing while other times it is done purely for self-interest.
Mr. Leven created an awesome thought-provoking novel, right down to the smile-inducing last three words of the book. Many times it was insightful while it also made me laugh about topics such as death, religious doctrine, homosexuality, infidelity, intellectual sparring, the nature of friendship, divorce, mental-health conditions, and how the symbol of Satan has evolved over the millennia. Honesty may be the best policy, but not in this novel. It frequently bites the honest fellow in his or her tochus. Dr. Kassler agreeing to give Satan seven private sessions leads to oodles of wonderful banter between the two. ‘Satan’ will probably be agreeable to the reader who has an open mind and a rough sense of humor. It’s meant to challenge your beliefs through an allegorical whoopee cushion. You have been warned.
January 31, 2019
Intrigue, repulsion, and empathy were a few emotions felt throughout my journey reading Satan, his psychotherapy and cure by the unfortunate Dr. Kassler, by Jeremy Leven. Kassler is the main character and with a great deal of thought I’ve decided he can be either a protagonist or an antagonist depending on your interpretation of his life. But more importantly his character. Whether you’re religious or not.. (which I have to say picking this book up from being on hold at the library was a little intimidating because the word Satan can be a taboo topic in public situations). I find a lot of Kassler’s actions and personal experiences to be relatable. Some maybe not so much but they still hold high value and definitely provoked a lot of thought about my interactions with others. The way other people view a person in society can really open a lot of opportunities which unfortunately means it can also close a lot of doors. Kassler was relatable for many reasons. Anyone who has gone through losing someone they love in a familiar situation or also just relationships that have gone horribly sour.. he was a person who sought after a mundane, picturesque lifestyle in my opinion. The dream of a family and a great career. Although he lacked the follow through. To be so self involved and insert yourself in others lives forcing them to go along with the idea of your reality is going to only end up in heart break. I empathize with Kassler. I think he tried and to be human involves mistakes. This book was gruesome and uncomfortable and detailed some pretty traumatic scenarios.. one of which involving a computer. Others just extremely uncomfortable sex related situations. It came across as almost animalistic which if you are interested in science or psychology you’ll find interesting. I could open any page and find a topic to discuss. Which when it comes down to it is all I and most other people are looking for in a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2023
insane book. i mostly didn't like it but three stars bc the concept and all. it could've been cut down a good 200 or so pages and it would've been about the same. the characters aren't strong enough to support the detail into their day-to-day.
kassler (j.s.p.s. = just some poor schmuck) is definitely poor for most of it and he definitely is a schmuck. however, he is a poor schmuck who gets laid a LOT and by women with huge cans. i'm not sure how much insight we really got into people and relationships from an actual psychotherapist, but it makes sense because this was the eighties and therapy was about philosophical warfare between men in tweed. and the book loved freud, but that tracks. ofc satan loves freud.
there were some bangers, they just got bogged down by the length.
"I cured you, that's what I've done. I may have done nothing else with my life, but I cured Satan."
"You're kidding yourself, Kassler. You did no such thing. I'm no different now from when I started."
"You believe that?"
"So, okay, maybe I'm a little more comfortable with things. It was bound to happen. After a while, we all adjust."
"After a few thousand years."
"It takes some of us longer than others."
"You came to me in pain, damn it. I took away your pain."
"And hurt me doing it. You made me weep, Kassler. You caused me pain. It was very unpleasant."
"You expected it to be painless? You expected to learn anything valuable without suffering?"
kassler (j.s.p.s. = just some poor schmuck) is definitely poor for most of it and he definitely is a schmuck. however, he is a poor schmuck who gets laid a LOT and by women with huge cans. i'm not sure how much insight we really got into people and relationships from an actual psychotherapist, but it makes sense because this was the eighties and therapy was about philosophical warfare between men in tweed. and the book loved freud, but that tracks. ofc satan loves freud.
there were some bangers, they just got bogged down by the length.
"I cured you, that's what I've done. I may have done nothing else with my life, but I cured Satan."
"You're kidding yourself, Kassler. You did no such thing. I'm no different now from when I started."
"You believe that?"
"So, okay, maybe I'm a little more comfortable with things. It was bound to happen. After a while, we all adjust."
"After a few thousand years."
"It takes some of us longer than others."
"You came to me in pain, damn it. I took away your pain."
"And hurt me doing it. You made me weep, Kassler. You caused me pain. It was very unpleasant."
"You expected it to be painless? You expected to learn anything valuable without suffering?"
July 16, 2025
The premise of this book seemed sooo interesting. What a great thought!!
But the execution suckeddd. The story is so lewd and narrated from this obnoxious male perspective where most female character lack gravitas. Actually, all characters lack gravitas and you end up hating everyone. Like all of them are so insufferable.
Then there are parts when the story feels so dragged and just gives you nothing. It's just one suffering on another for Kassler who initially you feel bad for but later on feel nothing bcoz he is also insufferable.
The story just fully fails to connect with you.
I guess the only bit I agreed with was the great answer Satan gives claiming life is hell and nothing can be helped. And reading this book is a befitting hellish experience in this hellish life.
But the execution suckeddd. The story is so lewd and narrated from this obnoxious male perspective where most female character lack gravitas. Actually, all characters lack gravitas and you end up hating everyone. Like all of them are so insufferable.
Then there are parts when the story feels so dragged and just gives you nothing. It's just one suffering on another for Kassler who initially you feel bad for but later on feel nothing bcoz he is also insufferable.
The story just fully fails to connect with you.
I guess the only bit I agreed with was the great answer Satan gives claiming life is hell and nothing can be helped. And reading this book is a befitting hellish experience in this hellish life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
This was a book that always came highly recommended. When it's good, it's really good. But when it meanders off into minutiae of psychotherapy, it's a chore to keep reading.
Fortunately, the book is mostly engaging, provided you're able to keep up with the shifts in the timeline. On top of that, some of the characters are similar enough and undeveloped early on that the narrative can be a little muddy.
Just the same, it's an entertaining read, and I didn't want to put it down.
Fortunately, the book is mostly engaging, provided you're able to keep up with the shifts in the timeline. On top of that, some of the characters are similar enough and undeveloped early on that the narrative can be a little muddy.
Just the same, it's an entertaining read, and I didn't want to put it down.
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