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?
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
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.
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?
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
Yes definitely! Novels are gateways for people to feel and understand in different ways to their existing mental states.
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.