Ostermeier, R - Therapeutic Tales
Maladies and possible treatments for those on the Peninsula.
The practice is counseling. The practitioner, newly arrived in the community, is more observer and has no doctoral degree.
The first story, “Conkertop” treats a young girl, more a child really, who spent nights in the deep woods and was returned home “altered”. There was a grove of trees, yews, in a circle. To draw the girl from her silence, perhaps learn what occurred, the counselor uses a shadow theatre.
The second patient is akin to the malevolent leader, or perhaps everyone else in group is simply terrified of him. Treatment involves homemade dummies. As it turns out, those who fashion good puppets are inferior ventriloquists. Likewise, shoddy puppets are helmed by brilliant speakers. Then there is “Rubby” apart, disruptive, unsettling the dynamic. We observe what the practitioner does not.
Physical complaints, not mental or emotional, dominate in “The Ulfsson Chapel.” Patients suffer skin disease, which I will compartmentalize into psoriasis. The rumor mill of afflicted share the legend of a mysterious treatment, fiendishly expensive, given by who knows who, methods unknown, at an undisclosed location.
Nevertheless, Ilsa is desperate, despite telling herself, over and over, ‘don’t hope’.
The Isle Of Salt is not so remote that Ilsa soon realizes the location. Treatment, however, involves being rendered unconscious. Surrendering control. Hoping.
Seven stories, treatments, in this collection, though one seems more gauntlet. As with any therapy, success varies with individuals. From glowing success to bitter failure to agonized uncertainty.
