I'm a compulsive reader of fiction. I fell in love with novels

"I'm a compulsive reader of fiction. I fell in love with novels when I was a teenager. My wife Marilyn and I... our initial friendship began because we are both readers. I've gone to sleep almost every night of my life after having read in a novel for 30 or 40 minutes. I'm a great reader of fiction and much less so of non-fiction." These words spoken by Irvin D. Yalom offer a profound glimpse into the heart of a man who has spent his life immersed in the world of fiction. What is it about novels, that when we encounter them, they possess the power to captivate not only the mind but also the soul? Yalom speaks of fiction as a lifelong companion, an intimate presence that has shaped his very existence, guiding him through countless emotions and ideas, providing solace, wisdom, and a profound connection with others. It is through his words that we are reminded of the eternal power of stories to form bonds, to shape relationships, and to offer profound insight into the human experience.

To understand this, we must recognize that the act of reading fiction is not merely a pastime, but an act of deep connection. When Yalom speaks of his relationship with his wife Marilyn, he describes how their initial bond was formed through their shared love of reading. This friendship, and later their partnership, was founded not on external circumstances, but on their mutual understanding of the importance of stories. This is a lesson that echoes throughout history: that the greatest connections are often those born from shared intellectual pursuits. Friendship and love, in this sense, are often kindled by the shared fires of passion—and for Yalom, that fire was fiction.

Consider the great friendships of the past, those that were not built on wealth, power, or circumstance, but on shared interests and intellectual camaraderie. The philosopher Socrates and his disciples, Plato and Aristotle, spent countless hours together discussing the great ideas of their time. But what was the foundation of their bond? Was it not the shared love of wisdom, of seeking the truth through ideas, through discourse, and through the stories they exchanged? Plato’s dialogues, written as narratives, show how a story can shape the very fabric of our understanding, and how friendship, intellectual or otherwise, is often born in the fertile soil of shared intellectual curiosity.

In the same way, fiction plays a crucial role in Yalom's life—it is not just an escape, but a means of grappling with the complexities of existence. When Yalom speaks of going to sleep after having read for 30 or 40 minutes, he reveals how deeply he has been shaped by the narratives he has encountered. Fiction, for him, is not merely a way to pass time, but a way to connect with the world, to explore the depths of human emotion, and to challenge his own perceptions. Each novel becomes a mirror, reflecting his own fears, desires, and dreams. It is through these stories that he comes to understand himself more fully, as all great readers of fiction do.

But why, then, does Yalom consider himself a "great reader of fiction" and not of non-fiction? What is the difference between the two? Fiction offers us a world where possibilities are limitless, where human nature is explored through metaphor, symbol, and allegory. It allows the reader to walk in the shoes of others, to live lives they will never live, and to experience emotions they will never feel. Non-fiction, by contrast, seeks to explain, to educate, and to inform. It presents the facts of the world, but it lacks the emotional depth and universal themes that fiction so effortlessly provides. Yalom's love for fiction suggests that he sees the novel as a deeper, more immersive experience—one that opens the door to the human soul and reveals the complexities of life in ways that straightforward facts cannot.

This, then, is the lesson we can draw from Yalom’s words: stories shape us. Fiction is not just a means of entertainment, but a tool for self-exploration and growth. Just as Yalom and his wife’s friendship was nurtured by their shared love of books, so too can our own relationships be strengthened through the stories we share with one another. These stories become the threads that bind us together, creating an unspoken bond that transcends time and place. The act of reading fiction invites us to engage with life in all its messiness, its beauty, and its uncertainty. It teaches us empathy, understanding, and compassion—because in the pages of a well-written novel, we see the world through another’s eyes.

Thus, let us take this lesson to heart. Let us read more—not for escape, but for understanding. Let us share stories, not just for entertainment, but to connect on a deeper level with those we love. Like Yalom, we too can find meaning in the narratives that fill our lives. Let us nurture our friendships and relationships through the sharing of ideas and stories, knowing that each novel we read, each character we encounter, teaches us something about ourselves, our world, and the people with whom we walk this journey. And may we, like the great readers before us, see fiction not as a distraction from reality, but as a means of truly understanding it.