Good Morning, Monster

A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery

By: Catherine Gildiner

Narrated by: Deborah Burgess

"Catherine Gildiner is nothing short of masterful - as both a therapist and writer. In these pages, she has gorgeously captured both the privilege of being given access to the inner chambers of people's lives, and the meaning that comes from watching them grow into the selves they were meant to be." (Lori Gottlieb, New York Times best-selling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone)

In this fascinating narrative, therapist Catherine Gildiner’s presents five of what she calls her most heroic and memorable patients. Among them: A successful, first-generation Chinese immigrant musician suffering sexual dysfunction; a young woman whose father abandoned her at age nine with her younger siblings in an isolated cottage in the depth of winter; and a glamorous workaholic whose narcissistic, negligent mother greeted her each morning of her childhood with "Good morning, Monster".

Each patient presents a mystery, one that will only be unpacked over years. They seek Gildiner's help to overcome an immediate challenge in their lives but discover that the source of their suffering has been long buried. As in such recent classics as The Glass Castle and Educated, each patient embodies self-reflection, stoicism, perseverance, and forgiveness as they work unflinchingly to face the truth. Gildiner's account of her journeys with them is moving, insightful, and sometimes very funny.

Good Morning, Monster offers an almost novelistic, behind-the-scenes look into the therapist's office, illustrating how the process can heal even the most unimaginable wounds.

Amazon.com Best Books of the Year - 2020

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

"Good Morning, Monster allows one the privilege of seeing the therapist-patient relationship as an essentially human interaction." (JM Coetzee, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature)

©2020 Catherine Gildiner (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

INTENSE!!!

This book is a collection of real stories from this Author’s prior career as a psychotherapist…they are patients who have suffered the WORST abuses human beings can inflict on each other and their journeys in counseling to healing as best they can. I am an abuse survivor and it struck a chord..be forewarned and fore armed. It holds your attention and you really envision the people in the book. and relate to them and their feelings. I was lost in the listening.

Impressed

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The author’s writing with the narrator’s performance is close to perfection. The lessons and stories give me new perspectives on things in my own life. A book a will definitely read again and suggest to friends.

Wow... Hard to believe. Sad but definitely heroic

Worth listening to and eye opening as to pain inflicted by love one's and society. Explains generational issues that get passed down. Pained people causing pain and how helpless these heroes are to persevere.

One of the best books in my library

Out of the 250+ in my audible library, this is one of my top ten favorite. If you are interested in psychology or stories of therapy, then you’ll certainly enjoy this book.

Riveting

One of those books you can’t stop listening to. The only minor critique I have is the narrator’s voice interpretations of the clients, it was distracting at times.

loved everything about this book!

loved everything about this book, glad I found it! Would recomend to anyone, everone could benifit from reading this.

Great book!

I could not stop listening! The stories told are incredible and eye opening. A must read!

What an insightful book.

Call it boredom cause of Covid was starting to get boring, but this is worth the read! Wow, what an insightful book. Learn to love to read (or listen) again. These stories are so touching. I cried.

So good!

This book is incredible. while the stories are disturbing, the overall theme of overcoming and heroism absolutely shine. I think its a must read, especially for anyone looking for inspiring stories of overcoming trauma.

Disgusted at the human race but proud of the human condition

Wow. I was in a serious book slump after two disappointing duds in a row. This book woke my soul. How inspiring. How beautiful. I am astonished at how resilient the human condition is. Check the trigger warnings. Not an easy read but worth the struggle