In this fourth episode of the second season, Alex and Steven delve into Sigmund Freud's seminal work, "Civilisation and its Discontents." They navigate the realms of civilisation's promise and its inherent discontent, exploring the psychological tapestry Freud weaves to elucidate human suffering in the face of social evolution.

Topics discussed include:

• To what extent has civilisation become both a problem and a solution to our suffering?
• The nature of guilt and how it is related to our socialisation.
• What, according to Freud, might be the 'right amount' of civilisation that allows for harmonious human existence as well as individual happiness?

Further Resources:

• Freud’s "Civilisation and its Discontents" is available for purchase at Amazon UK: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Penguin-Great-Ideas-Civilisation-Discontents/dp/0141018992/ref=sr_1_1?crid=278WXM8WNYXXX&keywords=civilisation+and+its+discontents&qid=1696868160&s=books&sprefix=civilisation+and+its+discontents%2Cstripbooks%2C342&sr=1-1]
• For a deeper dive into Freud’s life and the evolution of his thoughts, this recent intellectual biography offers a compelling read: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freud-Intellectual-Biography-Joel-Whitebook/dp/110882904X/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=freud+biography&qid=1696868203&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1]
• "The Freud Reader", edited by Peter Gay, provides a robust exploration of Freud's most significant works and is a useful companion for those keen on delving deeper into psychoanalytic theory: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freud-Reader-Peter-Gay/dp/0099577119/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KU3Y6R4MHCEE&keywords=the+freud+reader+peter+gay&qid=1696868270&s=books&sprefix=the+freud+reader+pet%2Cstripbooks%2C752&sr=1-1]
• The book "Freud and Beyond: A History of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought" by Stephen A. Mitchell and Margaret J. Black offers a comprehensive examination of psychoanalytic theory post-Freud: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freud-Beyond-History-Psychoanalytic-Thought-ebook/dp/B06XBVPQGS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B9E9TMT4AX8A&keywords=freud+and+beyond&qid=1696868307&s=books&sprefix=freud+and+beyo%2Cstripbooks%2C565&sr=1-1]

Remember to subscribe to "The Reading Cure" for more insightful discussions connecting literature, psychology, and the intricate realms of the human experience.

In this thought-provoking bonus episode, Alex and Steven journey through the landscapes of Alexander Payne's 2013 film, "Nebraska." Join them as they navigate the complex world of Woody, a character on a quest that speaks to universal human experiences. Topics discussed include:

• Woody is on a determined quest to claim his million dollars in the promised land of Nebraska. What kind of quest is this? Is there a sense in which we are all on a quest like Woody?
• How do we understand what we could call Woody's 'gullibility'? Is it a sign of incipient dementia or more to do with him being a decent person who innocently trusts others to keep their word in what is, in reality, a mendacious world?
• This movie, in many ways, is about family. What does it say about marriage, about the relationship between parents and their children, and between siblings and wider relations? In particular, how do Woody and David, as father and son, come closer together as they go on their journey?
• Woody seems to have been a guy hollowed out by his inability to say 'no' to helping people out. What does the movie say about altruism and about people's gratitude?

Further Resources:

• A Blu-ray copy of the movie can be purchased at Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/nebraska-blu-ray-blu_ray-Italian-bruce/dp/B00IG1Z014/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3H0L4Y15HBHTY&keywords=nebraska&qid=1691001413&s=dvd&sprefix=nebraska%2Cdvd%2C122&sr=1-1
• The film critic David Denby provides an engaging analysis of Payne's work in this piece: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/18/american-gothic-4
• For those interested in some of Alexander Payne's interviews: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alexander-Payne-Interviews-Conversations-Filmmakers-ebook/dp/B00OAFN2NI/ref=sr_1_2?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=alexander+payne&qid=1691001743&s=books&sr=1-2&unfiltered=1
• A short interview with Bruce Dern about the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azIuoXIZ6rg&ab_channel=HitFix

In this third episode of the second season, Alex and Steven delve into Paula Fox's captivating novel, Desperate Characters. They explore the intricacies of the characters and their interactions with the world around them, as well as the socioeconomic conditions of New York at the time. Topics discussed include:

• In what sense are the characters desperate?
• To what extent are the characters' sense of being vulnerable/under attack due to their affluence, the socioeconomic conditions of New York at that time, or alternatively, is it more due to their particular individual flaws/neuroses?
• How does one consider their future relationship prospects?
• Is the depiction of poorer people at that time grimly realistic or misanthropic and/or somewhat prejudicial?
• What constitutes the value of this novel - either in terms of its literary qualities or its psychological acumen?

Further Resources:

• Paula Fox's novel can be found at Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desperate-Characters-Paula-Fox/dp/0007150385/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1683207347&refinements=p_28%3Adesperate+characters&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1
• To learn more about Paula Fox and her writing, this New York Times article provides a comprehensive look into her life and work: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/books/paula-fox-dead.html
• For a broader understanding of New York's socioeconomic conditions during the time period in which Desperate Characters is set, you might enjoy this book by Jonathan Mahler: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Gentlemen-Bronx-Burning-Baseball/dp/0312424302/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1683207606&refinements=p_27%3Ajonathan+mahler%2Cp_28%3Aladies&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1
• Although focused on the horror genre, this book gives an insightful analysis of how art can reflect cultural anxieties (in this case, those of American culture): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Projected-Fears-Horror-American-Culture/dp/0275983536/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1683208004&refinements=p_28%3Aprojected+fears&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1
• Karen Horney's book "The Neurotic Personality of Our Time" characteristically gives an insightful analysis of the mid-twentieth century psyche:

In this second episode of the second season, Alex and Steven discuss Anthony Storr's insightful and humane work called Solitude. Topics discussed include: Has the world of therapy almost pathologized the need for solitude? What are the main benefits of solitude? Are there ways in which solitude could be detrimental? To what extent is a lack of solitude a contributing factor to mental health issues in the modern world?

Further Resources:

• A copy of Storr's book can be found at Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solitude-Flamingo-Anthony-Storr/dp/0006543499/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=anthony+storr+solitude&qid=1676460525&sprefix=storr+sol%2Caps%2C1148&sr=8-1
• For those who wish to explore further Storr's thoughts on creativity, you can find his book The Dynamics of Creation here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NBJOLYS/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p2_i4
• For a nice overview of Storr’s eclectic and very productive professional and intellectual life, this obituary from the Guardian Newspaper (23.3.01) is helpful: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/mar/20/guardianobituaries.highereducation
• A more recent work on the need for solitude is Susan Cain's work Quiet: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World-Talking-ebook/dp/B0074YVW1G/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1676460682&refinements=p_27%3Asusan+cain&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1
• David Vincent provides a historical overview of how solitude has changed and evolved over the last few centuries: https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Solitude-David-Vincent/dp/1509536590/ref=sr_1_6?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=solitude&qid=1676461437&s=books&sr=1-6&unfiltered=1&asin=1509536590&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
• The philosopher Lars Svendsen examines the nature of loneliness, which might help in distinguishing loneliness from solitude: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philosophy-Loneliness-Lars-Svendsen-ebook/dp/B073Q59SJ5/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&asin=B073Q59SJ5&revisionId=ead2b4f6&format=1&depth=1
• If you enjoy classic comedy, here is what Hancock is up to when not donating blood: trying to enjoy some solitude by getting through his Bertrand Russell reading (audio

In this first episode of Season 2, Alex and Steven discuss the film version of Edward Albee's iconic play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf starring two of the great actors from the Golden age of Hollywood, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Topics explored include: the reasons behind the antagonism between the couple; was the playwright making a social and political critique of America with his portrayal of Nick, the ambitious young academic?; why have the couple clung to the illusion of having a son and is Albee right about the death of grand narratives leading to either fantasy or an examination of the self?; was the relinquishing of the illusion a positive step forward for the couple?

Further Resources:

• The movie version can be watched on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVyZ6cooxc&ab_channel=TheKremlin 
• A copy of the play can be found here on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Afraid-Virginia-Woolf-Vintage-Classics/dp/009928569X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=who+s+afraid+of+virginia+woolf&qid=1671048823&s=books&sprefix=who%27s+afraid+of+virginia+%2Cstripbooks%2C508&sr=1-1
• Michael Bennett examines in his book some of the influences that shaped this work: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edward-Albees-Afraid-Virginia-Fourth-ebook/dp/B07FF832DV/ref=sr_1_2?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1671048983&refinements=p_28%3Aedward+albee&s=books&sr=1-2&unfiltered=1
• A 2005 interview with Edward Albee surveying his life and work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEKgDWTitpA&ab_channel=ManufacturingIntellect

In this bonus episode, Steven and Alex, with a loving yet critical eye, take a look at one of the most iconic movies of all time: Stephen King's Shawshank Redemption. Topics explored include: What are Andy Dufrene's character qualities that allow him to endure the arbitrary cruelties of prison life and aid him in his successful plot to escape?; What can we learn from this movie about how power and authority corrupts institutional life?; Is this movie a critique of prison life itself?; What kind of redemption is achieved at the end of the movie, given Andy's innocence?

Further Resources:

• A DVD copy of the movie can be purchased from Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shawshank-Redemption-DVD-Tim-Robbins/dp/B07YMFVQ7F/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LYYW2OKFX5T1&keywords=shawshank+redemption+dvd&qid=1665489375&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjA4IiwicXNhIjoiMS43MCIsInFzcCI6IjEuNzYifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=shawshank+rede%2Caps%2C569&sr=8-1
• Stephen King's original novella can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rita-Hayworth-Shawshank-Redemption-Stephen-ebook/dp/B08GPQ3JL4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=shawshank+redemption+book&qid=1665489415&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjI3IiwicXNhIjoiMS41MCIsInFzcCI6IjEuNjMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=shawshank+redemption+%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1
• An excellent study of how the movie was made: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shawshank-Redemption-Revealed-Story-Keeps-ebook/dp/B07TWB7MFF/ref=sr_1_4?crid=V06JQ33BQQK9&keywords=shawshank+redemption&qid=1665489476&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjA4IiwicXNhIjoiMi42MiIsInFzcCI6IjAuMjgifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=shawshank+redemption+%2Cstripbooks%2C305&sr=1-4&asin=B07TWB7MFF&revisionId=&format=2&depth=1
• A short but incisive analysis of the movie by renowned critic Mark Kermode: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shawshank-Redemption-BFI-Film-Classics/dp/0851709680/ref=sr_1_5?crid=V06JQ33BQQK9&keywords=shawshank+redemption&qid=1665489590&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjA4IiwicXNhIjoiMi42MiIsInFzcCI6IjAuMjgifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=shawshank+redemption+%2Cstripbooks%2C305&sr=1-5

In Episode 12, Alex and Steven explore the horror classic "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" by R.L. Stevenson. Topics discussed include: why is this novel so iconic?; in what ways might the typical reaction to Hyde reveal the nature of evil?; how can we understand the narrator, Utterson, from a psychological point of view?; how might Jekyll have dealt with his conflicts in a more constructive fashion and are there problems with his dividing the psyche into good and evil?; and finally, what might be the problems with viewing human nature as subject to irreconcilable conflicts between good and evil?

Further Resources:

• Copies of the novel in paperback and kindle versions can be found on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strange-Jekyll-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199536228/ref=sr_1_15?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1659531446&refinements=p_28%3Adr+jekyll+and+mr+hyde&s=books&sr=1-15&unfiltered=1
• The best film adaptation stars the peerless Fredric March who won an Oscar for his portrayal in the early thirties. The DVD can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jekyll-Hyde-1931-1941-DVD/dp/B0001EYSWQ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=jekyll+and+hyde&qid=1659531980&s=dvd&sr=1-3. Clips from the movie can also be viewed on YouTube, such as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUsdTgfokdo. 
• A fascinating student thesis on the possible homosexual dimensions of the tale can be found here: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2537&context=honorstheses
• Stephen King's discussion of horror fiction in general and of "Jekyll and Hyde" in his book "Danse Macabre" can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Danse-Macabre-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B003BVFZ96/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1659532332&refinements=p_28%3Adanse+macabre&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1
• A good documentary by Professor Christopher Frayling on the novel can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b04aSxzD4Xo

In this eleventh episode, Alex and Steven discuss Viktor Frankl's iconic work 'Man's Search for Meaning'. Topics explored include: In what ways did Frankl's concentration camp experiences help him understand the pivotal role of meaning in a human being's life?; What is the essence of logotherapy and how does it differ from other psychotherapy approaches?; Is the will to meaning the quintessential human motivation?; What kind of clients might be best suited to logotherapy?

Further Resources:

• A copy of Frankl's book can be found at Amazon UK here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mans-Search-Meaning-classic-Holocaust-ebook/dp/B00EKOC0HI/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1655064247&refinements=p_28%3Aman%27s+search+for+meaning&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1
• For those interested in learning more about logotherapy as a psychotherapy approach, Frankl's book 'Doctor and the Soul' is most helpful: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A6UCDZ4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i9
• The most thorough philosophical exploration of meaning in life is Thaddeus Metz's 'Meaning in Life': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meaning-Life-Thaddeus-Metz-ebook/dp/B00GC253BQ/ref=sr_1_2?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1655064437&refinements=p_27%3Athaddeus+metz&s=books&sr=1-2&unfiltered=1
• Thaddeus Metz and David Benatar are two of the most distinguished living philosophers to explore the meaning of life question. In this book, they debate some of the key questions: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Conversations-about-Meaning-Life-Philosophy-ebook/dp/B0986JD6J7/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1655064512&refinements=p_27%3Athaddeus+metz&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1
• An engaging and thought-provoking interview with Frankl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlC2OdnhIiQ