"Tales of Psychology is a unique & fascinating collection of complex & colorful fragments of literature accompanied by a psychologist's insights into the human emotional terrain each story illustrates..."
—Rebecca Brown, Rebeccas Reads
"For anyone who enjoys literature and wonders about the motivation of the
writer, this book will prove extremely entertaining and interesting."
—Alan Caruba, Bookviews
"...a wise and curious collection.... extraordinary observations, insightful remarks, moving passages and wonderful lessons..."
—G. Marudhan, Critique Magazine
“An exceptional book. A happy marriage of
psychology and literature. Tales of Psychology bring life to literature
and
literature to life. She has chosen powerful stories that speak to all
of us about
all of us; she draws upon her considerable professional, literary,
and scholarly life’s achievement to enrich us with deeper knowledge
of our psychology and greater respect for our literature.”
— Mary-Alice Herbert, DA, Professor of
English, editor, publisher, poet and playwright
“Alma Bond’s perceptibly chosen stories in Tales of Psychology:
Short Stories to Make You Wise are a rich sampling of our strongest literature,
and her commentary on them confirms one’s gut feelings about their
worth.”
—Julie J. McDonald, Ph.D., journalist, author
of eleven novels including North of the Heart
“Tales of Psychology is a fascinating series of reads. It shows
how a therapist’s mind works and how that kind of mind is developed
through contact with the minds of writers. Both readers and writers will
find kindred spirits here and therapists will find a kindred spirit in
Alma Bond. This book offers a rare privilege—a glimpse into her
mind.”
—Drs. Arnold Richards and Arlene Kramer Richards
"I heartily recommend this book to those who seek a well-conceived idea of teaching psychological issues through short stories and the lessons that follow." —Michael Bogert, MidWest Book Review
“Tales of Psychology is proof that there is more to a good story
than a good story. Dr. Bond has selected nineteen, each engaging the
reader instantly as any successful short story must. The pleasure of
a good read often leads to the desire for discussion—a place to
talk about it. Alma Bond must have felt that need herself. With her considerable
psychological background and her personal interest in what propels any
protagonist, she explores each story’s driving forces. The result
is amazingly like a dialogue elevating the reader to fellow-discussant.
After each story I felt I’d had a lively debate with a very well-read
and intelligent person.” —
Kay Putney Gantt, poet
Contents
Introduction
1. A Small, Good Thing, Raymond Carver
2. A Cap for Steve, Morley Callaghan
3. Mme. Zilensky and the King of Finland, Carson McCullers
4. Truth and Consequences, Brendon Gill
5. Roses, Rhododendron, Alice Adams
6. A Complicated Nature, William Trevor
7. A Distant Episode, Paul Bowles
8. Verona: A Young Woman Speaks, Harold Brodkey
9. The Middle Years, Henry James
10. Silent Snow, Secret Snow, Conrad Aiken
11. How to Win, Rosellen Brown
12. The Test, Angelica Gibbs
13. In the Region of Ice, Joyce Carol Oates
14. The Death of Justina, John Cheever
15. Paul's Case, Willa Cather
16. The Other Woman, Sherwood Anderson
17. Teenage Wasteland, Anne Tyler
18. The Right Thing, Richard Yates
19. My Apology, Woody Allen
Notes
ALMA H. BOND, Ph.D. is a psychoanalyst, author and playwright. She has authored seven other books including Who Killed Virginia Woolf: A Psychobiography, America's First Woman Warrior: The Courage of Deborah Sampson, Is There Life After Analysis?, and The Autobiography of Maria Callas: A Novel. Dr. Bond resides in Bal Harbour, Florida.
