Jacques Lacan: A Feminist Introduction [Paperback]

Elizabeth Grosz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 041501400X | ISBN-13: 978-0415014007 | Publication Date: August 22, 1990 | Edition: 1

Grosz gives a critical overview of Lacan's work from a feminist perspective. Discussing previous attempts to give a feminist reading of his work, she argues for women's autonomy based on an indifference to the Lacanian phallus.

Editorial Reviews

Review

. . . an exceptionally clear survey of Freud's and Lacan's basic theories . . ..
–Times Literary Supplement, 1/91

. . . the clarity of Grosz's exegetical skill is quite remarkable.
–Afterimage, October 1990

This book . . . provides an excellent overview of the contributions of psychoanalysis to feminist questions concerning gendered subjectivity, sexuality and sociopsychical processes of sexual representation. . . . it should prove helpful to feminists who are interested in pushing at the boundaries of psychoanalytic theory to examine its usefulness for dealing with these issues. The readings offered cannot replace our own interpretations of any of the original texts; rather, they instill us with the confidence to do delve in.
–RFR/DRF

About the Author

Elizabeth Grosz is Senior Lecturer in the Department of General Philosophy at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (August 22, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 041501400X
• ISBN-13: 978-0415014007
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 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: #182,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction > Philosophy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See, Lacan can be salvaged from misogyny, April 21, 2006

By 

James M. Bogdanski (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jacques Lacan: A Feminist Introduction (Paperback)

I was hesitant to read this book when I saw the rating the reviewer below me gave to it. However, I've now learned that you can't always trust those who review books on amazon (common sense, I guess). I actually used this book "Jacques Lacan: A feminist intro" for my honors thesis this year at college. It has to be one of the books I relied on the most for my research. Lacan's concepts are always hard to get a handle on, but Grosz's book, along with anything written by Slavoj Zizek, serves as a great introduction to this French thinker's psychoanalytic theories. Also, this book shows (with good evidence too) that even though Lacan has some phallocentric ideas (okay, a lot of them), his work is still valuable to feminists and modern theory in general. I would definitely recommend.

9 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Deceptive Introduction, February 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Jacques Lacan: A Feminist Introduction (Paperback)

This book I think gives the reader an extremely deceptive, confusing and at times blatantly wrong introduction to Lacan. In her preface she states that Lacanian theory has recently been engaged in "topographical and topological researches." Topology, yes, but topography? If to Elisabeth Grosz topography can be confused with Lacan's topology, then you can be assured that the rest of her understanding of the concepts--the phallus, the gaze, the libido, etc., are equally sloppy, imprecise, and unthought through--not to mention blatantly, ridiculously wrong. Its a con game--an exercise in tone and persuasion. Another example: she claims that the only way to read Lacan is to "suspend your logical thinking and judgments, and just believe or have faith that it make sense in the end." If she does not comprehend that in fact there IS a logic to Lacan's thought, and that actually logic is precisely one good way to start entering into his texts (rather than the philosopher's Oh Gee, it sounds like he's saying this), then you know, this book is a total sham.