Happy

By Ken Kuhlken

After spending a couple college semesters majoring in philosophy, I changed my major to literature, mostly because my favorite reading was novels. But I had stayed with philosophy long enough to gain a few insights: existentialism intrigued and baffled me; Soren Kierkegaard also intrigued and baffled me; and Christ was, during his human life and ever since, an outcast.

Though lots of years have passed, those insights remain important to me, and have helped me navigate through some difficult times, some of which involved a state of mind Mr. Kierkegaard lived through. Rather than use a more clinical (and offensive) word, I'll call it melancholy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publisher Hickey & McGee
• Release date: Dec 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463792285

Ken Kuhlken

Ken Kuhlken's stories have appeared in ESQUIRE and numerous other magazines, been honorably mentioned in BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES, and earned a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship.His novels include MIDHEAVEN, finalist for the Ernest Hemingway Award for best first fiction book, and the Hickey family mysteries: THE BIGGEST LIAR IN LOS ANGELES; THE GOOD KNOW NOTHING; THE VENUS DEAL; THE LOUD ADIOS, Private Eye Writers of America Press Best First PI Novel; THE ANGEL GANG; THE DO-RE-MI, finalist for the Shamus Best Novel Award; THE VAGABOND VIRGINS; THE VERY LEAST; and THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.His five-book saga FOR AMERICA, is together a long, long novel and an incantation, a work of magic created to postpone the end of the world for at least a thousand years.His work in progress is a YA mystery.His WRITING AND THE SPIRIT advises artists seeking inspiration. He guides readers on a trip to the Kingdom of Heaven in READING BROTHER LAWRENCE.Also, he reads a lot, plays golf, watches and coaches baseball and softball, teaches at Perelandra College, and hangs out with his daughter when she comes home from her excellent college back east.

Book preview

HAPPY

Kierkegaard's Cure

for Melancholy

Ken Kuhlken

Hickey & McGee, publishers

hickeybooks.com

Praise for Ken Kuhlken and his novels

... brings a great new character — and a fresh voice — into the mystery field. Novelist Tony Hillerman

Kuhlken is an original, and in these days of cookie-cutter fiction, originality is something to be prized. San Diego Union Tribune

... brings the social and cultural scene of the period vividly to life. Publisher's Weekly

... a tale as sensitive and heartfelt as it is action-packed. Kirkus Reviews

... takes readers into dark experiences and deep understandings that can't help but leave them changed. Novelist Michael Collins

Kuhlken weaves a complex plot around a complex man, a weary hero who tries to maintain standards as all around him fall to temptation. Publisher's Weekly

... a stunning combination of bad guys and angels, of fast-moving action and poignant, heartbreaking encounters. Novelist Wendy Hornsby

... captures the history and atmosphere of the 1970s as well as the complex dynamics of a fascinating family. Booklist

... a tale as sensitive and heartfelt as it is action-packed ... Crime, punishment and redemption. Kirkus Reviews

... fast-moving adventure, effectively combines mainstream historical fiction with the conventions of the hard-boiled detective novel. Booklist

A wonderful, literate, and very ambitious novel that does everything a good story should do. It surprises, delights, it jolts and makes you think . Novelist T. Jefferson Parker

... a pleasure to read. Novelist Anne Tyler

Elegant, eloquent, and elegiac, Kuhlken's novels sing an old melody, at the same time haunting and beautiful. Novelist Don Winslow

Copyright 2019 by Ken Kuhlken

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

Hickey & McGee

8697-C La Mesa Boulevard

La Mesa, CA 91942

hickeybooks.com

Smashwords Edition:

ISBN: 9780463792285

BISAC:

SEL032000 SELF-HELP / Spiritual

SEL011000 SELF-HELP / Mood Disorders / Depression

Introduction

Ludwig Wittgenstein, whose Philosophical Investigations is widely considered one of the twentieth century's most important philosophical works, considered Sören Kierkegaard, By far the most profound thinker of the nineteenth century.

After spending a couple college semesters majoring in philosophy, I changed my major to literature, mostly because my favorite reading was novels. But I had stayed with philosophy long enough to gain a few insights: existentialism intrigued and baffled me; Sören Kierkegaard also intrigued and baffled me; and Christ was, during his human life and ever since, an agitator.

Though lots of years have passed, those insights remain important to me, and have helped me navigate through some difficult times, some of which involved a state of mind Mr. Kierkegaard lived through. Rather than use a more clinical (and offensive) word, I'll call it melancholy.

Contents

Introduction

Melancholy

What on Earth is Existentialism

Either/Or

The Danger

The Curse of the Clever

Looking for Loopholes

Getting It

The Good Know Nothing

Tough Guys Like Jesus

We Are Not Droids - Shaffer vs. Kierkegaard

Where is Truth?

How to Love Whom

Coach Kierkegaard

Kierkegaard and Good 'Ol Charlie Brown

Reasons to Believe

A Christmas Carol

Kierkegaard Approves of Jesus Christ Superstar

Making