At the risk of bastardising a piece I’m writing - I agree that novels are a very powerful empathy technology & mind/mood altering substance, and different novels have spoken to and helped me at various moments in my life. That said, I’m occasionally troubled by a cultural trend that seems to expect them to be purely therapeutic, consolatory or uplifting. The role of novels is also to afflict, to horrify, to shock and unsettle and anger the reader - positioning them as exclusively therapeutic media or art risks limiting the scope of what they can do. I would love to know what everyone else thinks on this one though?
Well said M.J.! I definitely don't think we should be limiting the role or scope of novels. I also feel that something can be therapeutic and healing; whilst also shocking and unsettling. Ultimately it's about transporting a person from their current context into another. This other (fictional) context doesn't need to be a campfire around which people are singing "Cumbaya!", in order for it to be safe and meaningful. On the contrary, sometimes we need the proverbial electric shock treatment, especially if we're in a state of apathy, despondence or denial about certain injustices in the world. These are just my personal thoughts and I am not a mental health professional, so it's worth taking them with a pinch of salt. However, I do feel that a broad range of novels can have purposeful applications in wellness, but we'd need to think consciously about: curation, check-ins with clinical professionals/groups and the overall reading journey in such a sensitive space.
P.S. I love the idea of novels as 'mind/mood altering substances'!
I think their utilization carries the same problem that other wellness auxiliaries do, which is the difficulty in garnering commitment and focus from the end user.
I think for a lot of people who haven't had health social/emotional models growing up novels could be a good way of creating alternative role models and ways of thinking, but the nuance in terms of how it's written and conveyed could either do great good or great harm
This feels like a very important point. I do agree - and I also reckon there could be ways to mitigate the risk of harm, a few of which have been mentioned in this thread. For instance, clinical moderation, check-ins, assisted reading and community support.
By the way, I also really like the notion of fictional role models for people who didn't have the privilege of a healthy interior life, when growing up... This is not something I ever considered before! Looking back, there were actually a few distressing incidents of racism in my childhood (when my parents and I first moved to the UK from India), and stories - and the characters within them - brought me a lot of comfort and meaning.
Absolutely, novels are a form of virtual reality! And after dipping into their parallel worlds, you take some valuable droplets back into reality, which (hopefully) serve you well.
For sure - I think we naturally project ourselves onto the characters/situations we are interacting with and so a 'prescribed' novel with discussion could be amazing for overall wellness.
Prescribing a novel would also feel much like taking a literature course!
Yes, I feel novels are able to do this very well because it helps an individual get out of their mental walls and is able to open up doors with which they can extend their self through characters and their worlds.
A third space where people can connect over their favourite novels is a great way to go.
Beautiful! I love the idea of novels as 'third spaces'.
Sometimes we all need to be transported from our present circumstances into radically different contexts - for perspective, inspiration and emotional nourishment. Though there are also mental health risks around excessive escapism, where people seek out alternative realities to avoid tackling problems in their own (as depicted in science fiction novels, ad nauseum). How do you feel about this tension? Can it be navigated?
That's pretty interesting and could build a case for reading fiction in groups/clubs - especially in the context of mental health. The collective exists for reasons beyond entertainment, motivation and discipline; it's the 'back-to-reality' protocol...
At the risk of bastardising a piece I’m writing - I agree that novels are a very powerful empathy technology & mind/mood altering substance, and different novels have spoken to and helped me at various moments in my life. That said, I’m occasionally troubled by a cultural trend that seems to expect them to be purely therapeutic, consolatory or uplifting. The role of novels is also to afflict, to horrify, to shock and unsettle and anger the reader - positioning them as exclusively therapeutic media or art risks limiting the scope of what they can do. I would love to know what everyone else thinks on this one though?
Well said M.J.! I definitely don't think we should be limiting the role or scope of novels. I also feel that something can be therapeutic and healing; whilst also shocking and unsettling. Ultimately it's about transporting a person from their current context into another. This other (fictional) context doesn't need to be a campfire around which people are singing "Cumbaya!", in order for it to be safe and meaningful. On the contrary, sometimes we need the proverbial electric shock treatment, especially if we're in a state of apathy, despondence or denial about certain injustices in the world. These are just my personal thoughts and I am not a mental health professional, so it's worth taking them with a pinch of salt. However, I do feel that a broad range of novels can have purposeful applications in wellness, but we'd need to think consciously about: curation, check-ins with clinical professionals/groups and the overall reading journey in such a sensitive space.
P.S. I love the idea of novels as 'mind/mood altering substances'!
I think their utilization carries the same problem that other wellness auxiliaries do, which is the difficulty in garnering commitment and focus from the end user.
I wonder if this could be (in part) solved through a mix of:
1. Community layers - for motivation, discipline and sharing the burden of commitment
2. Repurposing the novel itself, given the wellness context - though to what exactly is an open question...
3. Lightweight game design - because we all love play
I like the first idea of a community layer - it doesn't feel too different to a reading group!
I think for a lot of people who haven't had health social/emotional models growing up novels could be a good way of creating alternative role models and ways of thinking, but the nuance in terms of how it's written and conveyed could either do great good or great harm
This feels like a very important point. I do agree - and I also reckon there could be ways to mitigate the risk of harm, a few of which have been mentioned in this thread. For instance, clinical moderation, check-ins, assisted reading and community support.
By the way, I also really like the notion of fictional role models for people who didn't have the privilege of a healthy interior life, when growing up... This is not something I ever considered before! Looking back, there were actually a few distressing incidents of racism in my childhood (when my parents and I first moved to the UK from India), and stories - and the characters within them - brought me a lot of comfort and meaning.
Yes definitely! Novels are gateways for people to feel and understand in different ways to their existing mental states.
Absolutely, novels are a form of virtual reality! And after dipping into their parallel worlds, you take some valuable droplets back into reality, which (hopefully) serve you well.
For sure - I think we naturally project ourselves onto the characters/situations we are interacting with and so a 'prescribed' novel with discussion could be amazing for overall wellness.
Prescribing a novel would also feel much like taking a literature course!
What a cool idea: Novel Prescriptions
I immediately imagined a book store, branded as a pharmacy, with people queuing for novel prescriptions - based on their emotional ailments... Mad!
Yes, I feel novels are able to do this very well because it helps an individual get out of their mental walls and is able to open up doors with which they can extend their self through characters and their worlds.
A third space where people can connect over their favourite novels is a great way to go.
Beautiful! I love the idea of novels as 'third spaces'.
Sometimes we all need to be transported from our present circumstances into radically different contexts - for perspective, inspiration and emotional nourishment. Though there are also mental health risks around excessive escapism, where people seek out alternative realities to avoid tackling problems in their own (as depicted in science fiction novels, ad nauseum). How do you feel about this tension? Can it be navigated?
I feel that’s where the community or the people you surround yourself with come in. To bring someone back to their reality.
That's pretty interesting and could build a case for reading fiction in groups/clubs - especially in the context of mental health. The collective exists for reasons beyond entertainment, motivation and discipline; it's the 'back-to-reality' protocol...
💯- ‘Back-to-reality’ protocol