Madman
Strange Adventures of a Psychology Intern

by John Suler, Ph.D.

Is the therapist a madman, or is the madman a therapist?

Based on real life experiences and written by an internationally recognized expert in emerging fields of psychology, Madman immerses the reader into the world of a psychology intern working on the psychiatric unit of a modern teaching hospital.

With irreverent humor, a surreal imagination, and undercurrents of eastern philosophy, this coming-of-age novel captures the point of view of a young clinical psychologist, Thomas Holden. A keen observer with a comic eye, Holden’s ongoing musings about his strange experiences with patients and staff expose both the absurdity and the idealism inherent in psychotherapy.

The Story

The depressed patient Holden discharged was run over by a mail truck. Was it suicide? Is he responsible for her death? His new patient Richard Mobin is an obese, rather disgusting, and violent schizophrenic who drowns baby birds and thinks that men in raincoats are trying to kill him. If that isn't enough to handle, Holden is assigned yet another difficult patient - a "John Doe" who apparently has no memory or identity, whom police found wandering the highway, collecting and burying road kill. Ultimately overwhelmed, Holden wonders whether rational knowledge can truly grasp the human mind, and whether he himself is losing his grip on reality.

“Madman is a genuine tour de force, maintaining an emotionally powerful grip on the reader while presenting an intellectually sound introduction to the world of clinical psychology. In the context of an action-packed suspenseful novel, Professor Suler presents the fundamental theoretical and historical foundations of clinical psychology side by side with the real-world practical problems that challenge the wisdom of the theories. This is a good read for all mental health professionals and anyone who is contemplating becoming one. I couldn’t put it down until it ended, and I had a hard time letting go when it did.”

-- Edward S. Katkin, Leading Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry, Stony Brook University


The Un-Textbook for Teaching Psychology

As a professor of psychology, John Suler kept his own psychology students in mind while writing the novel. Holden’s story helps them understand the professional and personal life of the psychologist in training, while excerpts from his journal interspersed throughout the novel encourage students to understand important and controversial issues concerning mental health and psychotherapy. Suler’s students rave about this unique “un-textbook” that is nothing like any of the standard texts for teaching psychopathology and psychotherapy:

“It pulled me in from beginning to end!... Hilarious!”

“It puts everything we’re learning {in class} into perspective."

“One of the best novels I have read in college.” “An informative glimpse into the world of the psychologist. It gave a clear impression of what life is like as an intern on a psychiatric unit.”

“I loved the character Thomas Holden. He was amazing. I would be reading along and then all of a sudden he would say something so outrageous or funny that I would have to highlight the sentence or reread it.”

“It’s really intriguing to see the therapist’s point of view rather than the patient’s.”

“I have a better view of graduate school, being an intern and what to expect (oh boy!)”

“I liked every aspect of this book. It kept me wanting to read more. I never wanted to put it down.”

Madman Integrates into Your Syllabus

For teachers of abnormal psychology, counseling, and psychotherapy who wish to adopt Madman for their courses, here's a list of topics explored in Madman. John Suler also has prepared a free instructor teaching packet that describes a variety of discussion formats and exercises revolving around the plot, characters, and themes of Madman. Contact him at suler@rider.edu


photo photo photo photo