Bonus: On the therapeutic uses of reading classic literature and scripture

“Going the longer route through literature, rather than just reading self-help, will ultimately be more satisfying.” – Jeffrey Tayler

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Jeffrey discuss navigating life’s challenges through literature (3:00); Ecclesiastes and the great stories of history (12:00); and using literature to make sense of ones life (19:00).

Jeffrey Tayler (@JeffreyTayler1) is an American writer and journalist living in Moscow. He is a contributing editor at The Atlantic, and many of his essays have been selected for The Best American Travel Writing series. Two of his travel essays were also selected by Bill Bryson for the inaugural edition of The Best American Travel Writing 2000. He is the author of seven books, including Siberian Dawn and Facing the Congo. His recent book, In Putin’s Footsteps, which he co-authored with Nikita Khrushchev’s great grand-daughter, is out now.

Notable Links:

• Ecclesiastes (biblical text)
• A Book of the Bible Even an Atheist Can Love, by Jeffrey Tayler (essay)
• Geneva Bible (Shakespeare era bible translation)
• King James Bible (iconic English bible translation completed in 1611)
• NIV Bible (modern bible translation first published in 1978)
• The Gospels (biblical books about Jesus’ life and teaching)
• Turn! Turn! Turn! (Pete Seeger song popularized by The Byrds)
• Paradise Lost, by John Milton (poem)
• Homer (author)
• Virgil (poet)
• Epicurus (Greek philosopher)
• The Divine Comedy, by Dante (narrative poem)
• Walden, by Henry David Thoreau (book)
• The Death of Ivan Ilych, by Leo Tolstoy (novella)
• Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy (novel)

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The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

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