The Novel Cure: An A–Z of Literary Remedies
Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin
Sick? Tired? Lost your job? Take one dose of literature and repeat until better.
The Novel Cure is an A-Z of literary remedies that offers a cure in the form of a novel for all kinds of ailments of the mind and body, and life’s general ups and downs. Whether you have stomach flu, low self esteem or are just stuck in a rut, this book will recommend a novel to help ease your pain.
This is a medical handbook—with a difference. Austen for arrogance, Brontë for a broken heart, Pynchon for paranoia or Tolstoy for toothache: the remedy for your malady is at your fingertips.
Featuring old and modern classics, unheard-of gems, novels for all tastes and ages, The Novel Cure is a warm and passionate, witty and wonderful way to expand your reading list (and cure what ails you), and the perfect gift for all bibliophiles.
Learn more about bibliotherapy and submit your own ailment for treatment at The Novel Cure website.
Media highlights
Ceridwen Dovey, New Yorker
ABC Radio National Life Matters
Sydney Morning Herald
LiteratureWorks
BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour
Gavin Francis, John Crace and the Guardian A-Z selection
Economist
Ella and Susan dispensing bibliotherapy wisdom from a vintage ambulance at the Latitude Festival, UK.
andThe Novel Cure
‘I loved this book within moments of dipping in and know I shall be returning to it for a long time to come. It’s a wonderful reminder of the restorative power of fiction and ideal for anyone who has ever wondered what on earth to read next.’
‘Witty and wise, The Novel Cure is essential for anyone who needs to lie down and recuperate with a good book.’
‘The smart self-help money is not on Dukan or Atkins or Gina Ford but on Tolstoy, Hemingway and Austen…Even if these authors can’t cure you, they can comfort you.’
‘A delightful reference guide…[Berthoud and Elderkin] tackle serious and not-so-serious ailments with equal verve…elegant prose and discussions that span the history of 2,000 years of literature will surely make readers seek out these books.’
‘Anyone who has ever sought solace in a book will appreciate the concept behind this “medical handbook with a difference”.’
‘I’ll offer my own ailment and cure: Reading slump, being in a: Read The Novel Cure.’
‘It doesn’t matter how obscure your physical or emotional ailment, you will cure in this A-Z of literary remedies. It offers more hope than medical nanotechnology with no side effects. Verdict: panacea.’
‘Whimsical and erudite…The Novel Cure remains serious without taking itself too seriously, gives advice without preaching, and advocates, with warmth and humour, the importance of literature as a therapeutic medium.’
‘This delightful book takes a…light-hearted approach to bibliotherapy…The book lists a splendid catalogue of ailments for which reading a book or two is the cure – of course I loved it!’
‘It can be easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to literary fare. This book is guaranteed to get you spreading your wings.’
‘Eclectic and infectious, The Novel Cure is one of the most revealing and bracing books about books to come along in some time.’
‘Ingenious and unapologetically literary.’
‘An exuberant pageant of literary fiction and a celebration of the possibilities of the novel.’
‘Their suggestions are guaranteed to provide emotional restoration through the magic of prose.’
