NONFICTION

The Novel Cure: From Abandonment to Zestlessness; 751 Books To Cure What Ails You

by Susan Elderkin
Berthoud, Ella & . Penguin Pr. 2013. 432p. index. ISBN 9781594205163. $26.95; ebk. ISBN 9781101638750. LIT
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Whether the ailment is serious and psychological (abandonment), physical (constipation), or silly (determined to chase after a woman even though she's a nun), bibliotherapists Berthoud and Elderkin (founders, School of Life bibliotherapy service, London) have created a literary cure or at least a novel painkiller. While boasting scholarly trappings such as cross-references, indexes, and footnotes (though the latter are often more humorous than explanatory), this earnest guide prescribes titles that include, but also venture beyond, the white Anglo-Saxon protestant-dominated canon, published as recently as 2012. The entries for each complaint are part book report, part agony aunt, and contain a plot summary for each suggested read, as well as commentary on why the recommended treatment is effective.
VERDICT Its unusual organization—by ailment rather than by the genre/theme of the proposed solution—sets this title apart from similar collections such as Nancy Pearl's Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason. This appealing and helpful read is guaranteed to double the length of a to-read list and become a go-to reference for those unsure of their reading identities or who are overwhelmed by the sheer number of books in the world.
Reviewed by Megan Hodge, Chesterfield Cty. P.L., Richmond , Oct 01, 2013
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