Good Morning, Monster

A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery

By: Catherine Gildiner

Narrated by: Deborah Burgess

Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

"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

Future therapist here!

I am about to enter grad school for a therapist training program. And this book has enlightened me and somewhat prepares me for what I will possibly face in the future. Even for someone not going into this field it is told very well for each individual story. Done with respect and care.

Incredible inspiring stories

After listening to this stories I was able to identify areas in my life and how I could have past trauma that might need to be address in therapy. The resilience of all five heroes mentioned in the stories is incredible. The narrator is very good at personification and kept me entertained. Went over this book in around a week, which is a short time for me. Give it a shot you won’t regret it, I’m certain it’ll be worth your time and you’ll learn something out of it

Excellent

Probably THE BEST therapist written memoir that ive ever read. *I think it reads more as a memoir/novel then a self help book. Catherine Gildiner takes you though the trials of 5 of her patients that she refers to as "hero's" for how far they have come. *Trigger warning. 2 of her clients experienced sexual abuse.

Captivating non-fiction—couldn’t stop listening!

For anyone interested in psychotherapy, this narrative fantastically reads more like a fictional novel. The patient accounts are unbelievable and heartbreaking. The author’s candid disclosures of her own regrets and missteps throughout the therapy process was endearing.

Best book I have listen this year

Amazing, amazing, amazing. I finished in 1.5 days. It’s that good. I can see things from these 5 different heroes on me. Love it.

Serious and touching

I think if you’re looking for some thing to give you insight time of turmoil this could be both helpful as well as triggering. I really enjoyed the stories and have to think over each of the heroes. I definitely would recommend. I would also caution those with emotional trauma to be aware that this could inflame you a little. Buy it!

Really great listen

Thoughtful, engaging and very well done. I learned a lot by listening both to the stories and her evaluations. Some were so painful; I have great respect for the survivors as well as for this gifted therapist and her work with them. An excellent book.

So fascinating

This was such a great book to listen to my AirPods kept running out of charge. I loved the presentation style with each subject individually presented. The book also made me reflect on my parenting and taught me techniques that I wish I had known when I had small children.

Therapeutic

This book was therapeutic. The characters were relatable and inspiring. Beautifully read. Kept my attention the whole time.

Hauntingly beautiful

This book was beautiful. The stories shared were of resilient and brave people who went through tragedies I cannot even imagine. The author was able to bring us these stories in relatable but educational ways and I was captivated from the beginning. Thank you!!