I recently came across a reference to Theodore Dalrymple (a pseudonym) and his 2010 book Spoilt Rotten: The Toxic Cult of Sentimentality at the Christian Institute so I got hold of it and read it. Dalrymple writes well in a conversational style and holds interest. Dalrymple is British and is a retired doctor and psychiatrist and now author. The book argues that sentimentality has become culturally entrenched in British society, with harmful consequences. A number of examples are given from the worlds of education, politics and the media with references to UK policy on African development, the death of Diana, the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and the work and life of Sylvia Plath. Dalrymple is not a Christian although he appears to accept the doctrine of depravity. It was good to hear someone articulating several concerns that one has about society today. I'm now seeking out other volumes of his.
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