The author has done a great job with a challenging topic - how to explain the process of psychotherapy, without dumbing it down, making it as accessible as possible without much jargon. It is a good introduction to people without any psychotherapy experience and even to those who have been in therapy for many years. I would highly recommend this book for people who are interested in therapy, before they go into therapy. It's proven elucidating and educative for me, both conceptually and emotionally, and I've (thankfully) been in therapy for the past 10 years.
To the reviewer who gave 2 stars for its over-simplicity, I'd like to comment that real therapy would NOT make a good read, or a good view, given that it can be painfully long, boring, last years to undo, or alleviate accumulated damage over someone's lifetime. So, yes, the scenarios described in the book are succinct, a somewhat simplified and idealized version of how therapy can play out successfully, given that it isn't Proustian or Tolstoy in length. As for the "puppet" and "cypher" comment, well yes, of course, this book is meant to be educational and not only entertaining. So it is missing the point entirely to compare it to, let's say, The Watchmen, which is entertaining and thought-provoking, but without an educational aim. The illustration is in the style of many western graphic novels - nothing extremely beautiful or lush (given the topic, it shouldn't be a lush style that lends itself well for fantasy-novels), but very apropos and helpful to illustrating the subject matter at hand.
I purchased this book while traveling in Seoul, and actually bought the book translated into Korean. And I was very impressed with its content and writing style, so much so that I am buying another one in its original source material, English. Another interesting thing the book does well - is its omniscient point of view. By omniscient observation, it lets us into the minds of both the therapist and the client, and shows the psychodymanic interplay between therapist and client. It demonstrates how both are human, how both can be petty and generous, helpful and obtrusive, how both hide the truth, but nonetheless, have a genuine intent to help and be helped. In reality, therapy can last many many years, and the ideal therapist very difficult to find, and sometimes it is stop and go, and balance and flow difficult to reach. While succinct in its form, Couch Fiction does well in representing a microcosm of successful therapy.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the subject of psychotherapy, interested in seeking therapy, or has a loved one in therapy. It will help you understand the process better, and hopefully with increased compassion.
