Between “therapy”, seen in a medical sense, and “cure”, understood in a humanistic sense, this essay reflects on Bibliotherapy, the use of books and, above all, how they are read, communicated/co participated in a curative sense. The theme has been known since 1916 when Samuel Crothers, in his essay “A Literary Clinic”, introduced the concept of Bibliotherapy. Reading can become a way of approaching the problem of illness, a way of caring for the sick person. Reading always involves a reflexive dialogue - with the author of the writing (book), with the narrated characters, with oneself, with one's surroundings, with others who inhabit and determine it. A reflexive way of offering ourselves to the care of others; of taking care of ourselves and letting others take care of us. The bibliotherapeutic dimension, then, can only be relational, cultural. It is precisely on this narrative-relational aspect, for example, that Narrative Medicine has focused. Narrative-medical practice could help doctors and nurses, social workers and therapists bring therapy and care together in a more effective approach that fosters the development of the capacity for attention, reflection, representation and affiliation among patients, families and medical and paramedical staff.
Antropologia e Biblioterapia
Vincenzo Esposito
2023
Abstract
Between “therapy”, seen in a medical sense, and “cure”, understood in a humanistic sense, this essay reflects on Bibliotherapy, the use of books and, above all, how they are read, communicated/co participated in a curative sense. The theme has been known since 1916 when Samuel Crothers, in his essay “A Literary Clinic”, introduced the concept of Bibliotherapy. Reading can become a way of approaching the problem of illness, a way of caring for the sick person. Reading always involves a reflexive dialogue - with the author of the writing (book), with the narrated characters, with oneself, with one's surroundings, with others who inhabit and determine it. A reflexive way of offering ourselves to the care of others; of taking care of ourselves and letting others take care of us. The bibliotherapeutic dimension, then, can only be relational, cultural. It is precisely on this narrative-relational aspect, for example, that Narrative Medicine has focused. Narrative-medical practice could help doctors and nurses, social workers and therapists bring therapy and care together in a more effective approach that fosters the development of the capacity for attention, reflection, representation and affiliation among patients, families and medical and paramedical staff.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
