52 pages • 1 hour read
Irvin D. YalomWhen Nietzsche Wept: A Novel Of Obsession
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
When Nietzsche Wept by Irvin D. Yalom is a 1992 novel set in Vienna in 1882, imagining a collaboration between German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and physician Josef Breuer, who believes Nietzsche's physical ailments are psychological. Employing a pioneering "talking cure," their interaction evolves into mutual therapy, exploring the origins of psychoanalysis and Nietzsche's philosophy. The novel was adapted into a 2007 film directed by Pinchas Perry.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Irvin D. Yalom's When Nietzsche Wept is praised for its compelling blend of philosophy and fiction, providing deep psychological insights alongside an engaging narrative. Readers appreciate the exploration of intellectual themes and character development, though some critique the pacing and occasional anachronisms. Overall, a thought-provoking read with minor flaws.
Who Should Read When Nietzsche Wept?
A reader who would enjoy When Nietzsche Wept by Irvin D. Yalom is likely fascinated by philosophy, psychology, and historical fiction. They appreciate intellectually stimulating narratives akin to Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha and Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being, blending deep existential questions with rich character development.
310
Novel • Fiction
Vienna • 1880s
1992
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.