Review of the latest Therapy Book Club read.

At the end of last year, I decided to start a therapy book club. There were a few reasons, mostly personal if I'm honest, but also with the view to creating a learning and supportive environment with my therapy colleagues. We are all busy people and the opportunities for getting together are few. So the initiative was not only to foster a sense of community but also to encourage discussion about books that have informed our practices or that we would recommend to our clients. The fact that we can use it as continuous professional development (CPD) is an added bonus.

Under Saturn's Shadow by James Hollis

For our latest book selection, we chose 'Under Saturn's Shadow: The Wounding and Healing of Men' by James Hollis. This book delves into the complexities of masculinity, exploring how societal expectations and personal experiences shape the lives of men. It provides a profound examination of the wounds that many men carry and offers pathways toward healing.

Key Themes Explored in the Book

As we discussed 'Under Saturn's Shadow', several key themes emerged:

• The Influence of Mother / Father Figures: Hollis emphasises the impact of parental relationships on men's emotional development.

• Societal Expectations: The book challenges traditional notions of masculinity, encouraging us to reflect on how societal pressures have shaped the behaviors and choices of men.

• Healing Through Vulnerability: One of the most powerful messages is that vulnerability is not a weakness. We discussed how embracing vulnerabilities can lead to deeper connections and personal growth.

• The Journey of Self-Discovery: Hollis encourages men to embark on a journey of self-discovery, which resonated with many of us both personally and professionally.

Insights

The book is about the hidden emotional pressures men grow up with. Hollis uses “Saturn” as a symbol for the inner voice that says don’t feel, don’t need, don’t fail. It’s the part that's shaped by fear, shame and old expectations.

The book explains that a lot of men's struggles—shutting down, overworking, avoiding emotions, feeling alone—aren’t personal flaws. They’re learned survival strategies. The 'shadow' simply refers to the feelings and needs that are pushed away to cope.

Healing, Hollis says, means gently turning toward these hidden parts, understanding where they came from and slowly choosing a life that feels true rather than one built on fear or old roles.

Takeaway: You’re not broken. You’re carrying old expectations that were never really yours, and healing means learning to put them down.

Conclusion

'Under Saturn's Shadow' has not only deepened our understanding of the complexities of masculinity but has also highlighted the importance of healing and vulnerability. Although not the easiest read for clients, we felt that it is a worthwhile recommendation. We felt that it was very current as most of us who viewed Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere were disturbed by the provocative content and structured ideology that shapes how many young men understand gender, power and relationships.

I'm looking forward to our next book selection and excited about continuing the exploration of these important books with the group. BTW, if you’re considering starting a similar initiative, I encourage you to take the leap—creating a supportive community around literature can be a positive experience for everyone involved.