Creatures of a Day, and Other Tales of Psychotherapy

By: Irvin D. Yalom

Narrated by: Traber Burns

In his long career, eminent psychotherapist and author Irvin Yalom has pressed his patients and readers to grapple with life's two greatest challenges: that we all must die, and that each of us is responsible for leading a life worth living. In Creatures of a Day, he and his patients confront the difficulty of these challenges. Although these people have come to Yalom seeking relief, recognition, or meaning, they discover that such things are rarely found in the places where we think to look.

Like Love's Executioner and Yalom's other writings, Creatures of a Day lays bare the necessary task we each face every day: to make our own lives meaningful.

©2015 Irvin D. Yalom (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

A book of rich experience, wonderfully narrated

If you could sum up Creatures of a Day, and Other Tales of Psychotherapy in three words, what would they be?

Irvin Yalom is a well-respected psychiatrist and psychotherapist who is well on in years. In this book, he shares some of his most moving therapy encounters, bringing us right into the room. He is warm, human, and without arrogance in these sessions and shows considerable respect and professional affection. Traber Burns is a wonderful narrator for Irvin Yalom. He does a superb job of capturing Yalom's voice, inflection and emotions -- from calm empathy to surprise. Being an account of therapy sessions the book consists largely of conversations, and Traber captures the different personalities or moods of each of the speakers -- therapist and the different patients -- so that you're never wondering who is talking, even if you've just restarted the recording.

fantastic

I really found this audio book to be quite an enjoyable and insightful adventure into various lessons to be drawn from in the therapeutic relationship. Thanks Irv!

Wonderful

This is one of the best audio books I have had so far. For anyone that is dreading getting older, this will help put all your fears in perspective. Thank you Dr Yalom for helping me feel at peace.

very good

I loved hearing the thoughts behind each persons perspective of life. it gave me an insight on the minds of individuals I greatly enjoyed.

Wisdom for counselors & anyone else

As usual, Irvin Yalom has a fantastic book on counseling, which gave me stories and teachings which I can use personally in my life.
I read the book years ago and now listened to it again.
I enjoyed engaging with the people in the book.
Yalom is the counselor that I wish all couselors would model after.
All his books are 5 of 5 stars (except one-Inpatient Group Psychotherapy-which is too specific to this type of group therapy to be just a book to read for fun. However, his book on regular group therapy book is a fantastic read - 5 of 5 stars!)
I highly recommend his books!

With narration a 4, better narration a 5.

I loved the book it was an excellent read as one who follows Yalom religiously. However, I had some difficulty listening to this narration. I often found it confusing as to who was speaking as the distinction between characters and narrator was not always the best. I also thought that listening to an obviously older voice used for younger characters was part of the problem for me.
It's probably a minor personal preference so I would recommend this audiobook as is

a lot off fluffed up banter

The lessons and there are many of them conveyed in this book could have been conveyed And a brief and concise format the would've consisted of approximately 10 pages. The fact that a whole book an elaborate story lines were created to transmit the few gems that are Santa only serves to detract from the overall wonder that this book could have been. The fact that a author has to write a book is not an excuse to drown out the message in pages and pages of useless narrative.

I hear you Irvin.

Liked the human sensibility psychotherapists are capable of achieving.
Would loved to have worked with Irvin as a mentor and patient.
Many roads lead to the Rome of psychotherapy. His way is a great way.
There are other ways but Yalom sets a high standard.
As a retired psychiatrist, Yalom's books provide great continuing education. I plan to read or listen to them all.

beautiful stories and very good narration

learned a lot as a psychologist, but I didn't have the feeling I was learning

Great Narrator

I love listening to Yalom’s insights. He is brilliant. It helps to have such a great narrator. He sounded quite similar to Yalom (to group videos I listened to in graduate school for counseling). Rich content.