The Dice Man - Luke Rhinehart

I first became aware of Luke Rhinehart’s “The Dice Man” whilst studying psychology at university, although I can’t remember if it was merely mentioned in passing or if it actually appeared on one of my reading lists. The idea is naturally fairly intriguing anyway, but particularly for someone who already has an interest in psychology and even more so if that interest extends more towards the abnormal side of psychology, as mine did and still does. For all the complexities and unknown’s involving the human psyche, it’s at its most interesting when something goes wrong. Luke Rhinehart seemingly has it all. He has a moderately successful psychiatric practice, ...  Read the complete review

I have to admit, I am at a stage of my life where I am starting to question the conventional rules of society. Question, why we work these insanely long hours. Question, why we are so constrained by what others think. Question, why we do not do the things we would like to do more often. It is for this reason that I was quite intrigued when I heard about a book he had heard about in a magazine that dealt with a man who decided to abandon these rules of society and make all his decisions on the basis of a dice roll. Luke Rhinehart is a psychatrist, married with two children, who after years of engaging in the same routine becomes rather bored with his daily ...  Read the complete review

?You must never question the wisdom of the Die. His ways are inscrutable. He leads you by the hand into an abyss and, lo, it is a fertile plain. You stagger beneath the burden he places upon you and, behold, you soar. The Die never deviates from the Tao, nor do you.? The Book of the Die Free love, sex, freedom, travel, expression; all these may appeal to us but to attain each or all of them may cost dearly. Is there a way to obtain such multiplicities of life without fear of guilt or responsibility? Luke Rhinehart believes he has found a way through obeying Chance. Let Chance become your God and the possibilities for the future and for your own self ...  Read the complete review

The dice sits in front of me. Gleeming in the light, eager to get on with it…. Option 1 - I will write an opinion on Martina Cole’s “Two Woman” Option 2 - I will write an opinion on “Purple America” by Rick Moody Option 3 - I will write an opinion on “The Dice Man” by Luke Rheinhart Option 4 - I will write an opinion on “Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone” by J K Rowling Option 5 - I will write an opinion on “Forty Words for Sorrow” by Giles Blunt Option 6 - I will write an opinion on “Turbulent Priests” by Colin Bateman ...  Read the complete review

The Dice Man by "Luke Rhinehart" (pen name for the far less exotic sounding George Cockcroft) is one of my favourite books. Initially published in 1972 it has been reprinted many times since. I discovered it in the mid-eighties and have read it some half dozen times. The Dice Man is the memoir of Luke Rhinehart, a New York psychiatrist with an incredibly dull, orderly life. By accident he stumbles on the concept of "Dice Therapy" - living your life by chance, making decisions based on the roll of a die. The concept is simple. When you have a decision to make, write down a number of options and roll one or more dice to decide between ...  Read the complete review