On the Couch: Great American Stories About Therapy

by Erica Kates (Editor)

There is perhaps nothing more quintessentially twentieth century than therapy, a process that explores the depths of the psyche and the seemingly mundane, intimate dramas of everyday life. On the Couch eavesdrops on the therapeutic process as some of America's best-known writers take the reader into the charged and sacred space between patient and analyst. On the Couch provides nineteen separate windows into this intensely private experience. From the heroine in Lorrie Moore's "If Only Bert Were Here," who can, hilariously, barely keep straight the twisted lies she tells her therapist about her romantic entanglements, these stories examine not only therapy, but the problems of love, loss, lies, dependence, and limitations. "Eavesdrop on the therapeutic process as eighteen world-class storytellers take the reader into the charged space between patient and analyst."-Elle

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Psychology, Literature

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[hanja mcG · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kept reading to see if it was more relatable, wasn’t.

[Ted Feder · Rating 5 out of 5]

great american stories about therapy...if you have ever been in therapy or have even thought about going down this road, this book will feed your imagination, remind you of situations and help you recognize that all of us humans are in a common boat.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most captivating entry: Keller's Therapy...a sort of cross between The Sopranos and Analyze This -- what happens when a hit man goes into therapy without telling his therapist what his real occupation is. It won the Edgar award (given to mystery writers) in 1994 for Best Short Story.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy forgettable, but entertaining at the moment. Good to possess to read multiple times after you forget what you read.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous, disturbing, but not for the impatient readers who like action. They are short stories, but some are more appealing than others.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some good stories in here, including one by Lorrie Moore, but the absolute standout was "Keller's Therapy" but Lawrence Block.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of therapy stories. My favorite one is "The Whole Truth" by Stephen McCauley. It's funny and insightful like all his writing...

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection to dip into