The Requiem Thesis by Christian Khiel Pineda Unto is a love letter to psychology. The author is a psychometrician by profession, and his work is evident in this novel. Including Freud in his novel is a brave effort considering that not everyone is into novels that are intellectual in nature. It is fortunate and beneficial to the reading public though that authors like Christian are unfazed by the general idea that Filipinos do not like intellectual novels. In fact, he enriches Philippine literature at large by contributing this rich and atmospheric novel to its fold.
Reading The Requiem Thesis is a journey through escapism. I enjoyed being in another time and place through this novel, as I was reading this during a challenging time in my life. I am diagnosed with two mental illnesses, and I found this book to be a valuable resource considering that I have to work harder than most people in order to function properly. I am far from normal, and yet, this book made me feel that through diligence and hard work on my part, I will be able to reach a level of normalcy which can enable me to function and become productive. The most important components of my healing are that I am conscious and that I am willing to let my doctor help me become a better version of myself.
It is remarkable that I was able to see semblances of hope that I will have mental stability in a work of fiction. I think that novels are meant to guide us through stories and experiences which the author considers to be helpful to his readers. The Requiem Thesis was an enjoyable read. I even found the experimental study at the end of the book entertaining because my best friend happens to be a scientist.
The Requiem Thesis by Christian Khiel Pineda Unto is now available!