Title: Dialogues with the Wise Woman
Author: Richard Todd Devens
Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
ISBN: 978-1662933219
Pages: 235
Genre: Fiction / Self-Help / Philosophy
Reviewed by: David Allen
Pacific Book Review
Richard Todd Devens, like Boetius before him, is a thinker after our own heart. Boetius, whose Consolation of Philosophy represents the extreme high bar of reasoning given the looming imminence of mortality (and in Boetius’ case, the actual arrival of death.) Boetius, an ancient Roman philosopher condemned to death, waits in his cell and reasons, divagates, self-consoles.
But what Boetius lacks in his understanding of ego psychology and psychodynamics is more than made up for by Devens’ ultramundane, super-readable walk through millennia of philosophy. Dialogues with the Wise Woman are conversations between caring adults, fructified by generous helpings of compassion and insight, transcribed by the author from his imagination.
Devens’ description of the book, like all of the writing in this most impressive volume, says it all: “Scammed by an evil Las Vegas con artist, pianist George Sistern descends into a deep depression; and even after three years, his pain, guilt, self- loathing, rage, and desire for revenge remain. Through an acquaintance, he contacts Mildred Markowitz, a psychologist and philosopher of genius.”
The resulting conversations read like recovered treasure — like Dead Sea Scrolls freighted with pearls of insight and contemporary relevance. [A Sistern, or cistern, of course, is a kind of sewer pipe.] Devens’ book stands on the shoulders of psycho-conversational giants like Irwin Yalom, Oliver Sacks and Abraham Verghese before him. Devens also delights in importing his experience as a classical pianist into the present work. The episodes and choice of subjects are, frankly, delightful. George Sistern’s Lola-equivalent finally gets her comeuppance at the hands of a mobster pal of George’s therapist, Mildred.
The issues tackled in this most impressive, and peripatetic, volume include What is evil? Can good and bad be determined? Is revenge ever justified? What is the best way to deal with the current violent crime epidemic? Can all criminals be rehabilitated? Is there good in everyone? How does one release toxic and distracting thoughts? How can we determine the most ethical course of action? What is happiness?
Imagination, vivacity and a fine brush stroke are very much evident here. Devens’ book, and we hope there will be more from him of this genre, excels not only at individual and personal portraiture, but he is able to capture the sweep and majesty of an authentic white-knuckled chokehold on the Real.
