The Anatomy of Melancholy Book Club

In a time of war, plague and pestilence, the seventeenth century author Robert Burton identified melancholy as the greatest threat to the health of the nation. His famous work, The Anatomy of Melancholy, is a treasure trove of esoteric learning, questionable conjectures and rambling diversions across a remarkable range of subjects, among them science, religion, food, love, and all manner of human behaviour.

The present coronavirus epidemic has closed many doors, including those of Bethlem Museum of the Mind, and we are concerned about the mental health effects of the social isolation measures it has been necessary for us all to adopt. Robert Burton’s insights into causes, characteristics and cures of ‘melancholia’ are idiosyncratic, unreliable and of course dated, but they are always entertaining, and from time to time they are right on point.

On Monday 6 April 2020, we will starting a virtual book club to read an abridged version of The Anatomy of Melancholy. The club will be supported by our social media channels, and is free for anyone to join.

We are now completely sold out of hard copies but Kindle versions of the book are available on Amazon at a very low price:

For UK readers - https://amzn.to/2UmcjtM

For US readers - https://amzn.to/2wvn4kF


Why not tweet us to let us know you're joining in? Or leave a message on our Instagram or Facebook? Links to all our social media channels are below.

We look forward to you joining the bookclub when it goes live on Monday 06 April!