Hysteria from Freud to Lacan : The Splendid Child of Psychoanalysis (The Lacanian Clinical Field) (Lacanian Clincial Field) [Paperback]

Juan-David Nasio (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lacanian Clincial Field | Publication Date: May 17, 1998

In the English-speaking psychoanalytic world, few diagnostic categories are as controversial as hysteria. This concept, widely held to reflect outmoded cultural prejudices against women, has virtually disappeared from our theoretical literature, diagnostic manuals, and training programs. However, far from being gender-bound, hysteria for Jacques Lacan represents a psychic strategy that bears on one of the most fundamental preoccupations of existence: what does it mean to be a woman? What does it mean to be a man?

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Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Other Press (May 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892746026
• ISBN-13: 978-1892746023
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.4 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #881,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor, moralizing, June 17, 2010

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Stein's Object a - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hysteria from Freud to Lacan : The Splendid Child of Psychoanalysis (The Lacanian Clinical Field) (Lacanian Clincial Field) (Paperback)

I was very surprised by the moralizing tone of this book, and by the rather primitive take on the end of analysis which implicitly can be read between the lines. Nothing about traversing the fantasy (classic Lacan) / identifying with the sinthome (late Lacan) / being-towards-death or even the realization of full speech (early Lacan) - but he does put forward the rather absurd idea of a "symbolic ego"! (remember early Lacan on imaginary ego and symbolic subject). And one more (there are several possible examples, but I don't have that much time to waste): what about the ridiculous idea that hysterization means "erotizizing everything" - if so, why did Lacan indicate that it was neccessary to hysterize and obsessive in order to get the analysis going? Ever heard about becoming sensitive to the lack in the Other, S(A/), the abyss of the Other's desire?

I have never been so disappointed with a book on psychoanalysis! Read Freud; read Lacan; Because there is only a little bit of Freud and only platitudes about Lacan in this book. Read Paul Verhaeghe's excellent study on the hysteric, read Bruce Fink's or Dany Nobus' clinical introduction - but do not get messed up Nasio's dull opinions, presented within the Master's discourse (which is ironic - hopefully he does not relate to his poor hysteric patients within this social bond....), by the (obviously impotent) Master informing his students.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important contribution to psychoanalytic literature., June 6, 2000

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hysteria from Freud to Lacan : The Splendid Child of Psychoanalysis (The Lacanian Clinical Field) (Lacanian Clincial Field) (Paperback)

Edited by Judith Feher Gurewich in collaboration with Susan Fairfield, Juan-David Nasio's Hysteria From Freud To Lacan examines the concept of hysteria in the English-speaking psychoanalytic world. Widely held to reflect outmoded cultural prejudices against woman, hysteria has virtually disappeared from psychoanalytic literature, diagnostic manuals, and training programs. However, far from being gender-bound, hysteria for Jacques Lacan represents a psychic strategy that bears on one of the mot fundamental preoccupations of existence: What doe it mean to be a woman? What does it mean to be a man? Hysteria From Freud To Lacan is an important and engaging contribution to the growing library of psychoanalytic literature and highly recommended reading for students of psychology, psychiatry, counseling, and the nature of what it means to be human.