The Subject of Psychosis: A Lacanian Perspective

by Stijn Vanheule

This book discusses what Jacques Lacan's oeuvre contributes to our understanding of psychosis. Presenting a close reading of original texts, Stijn Vanheule proposes that Lacan's work on psychosis can best be framed in terms of four broad periods.

Genres: Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, Psychology, Nonfiction

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Blaze-Pascal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book. I was inspired because I am writing an essay about Black Swan through a Lacanian lens... this book has given me a lot to think about. What I appreciate in particular is the way he breaks down Lacanian ideas around psychosis in the four different eras. Reading it this way was very nice. I have put together a lot of ideas on Lacan which have just been floating around, and now that I read this I have better understand of the overall project. Will refer to this book in the future, great piece of scholarship.

[Mark William · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, a newcomer to Lacan, this was excellent. I’m building up to reading his seminars and wished for some contextual overview of his writings. Being a novice I needed orientation, clarity, accessibility and interest. This provided perfectly. As it follows his theoretical developments throughout his entire career, I suspect it will help me understand any of his writing, as opposed to just the psychoses.

[Maarten Robberechts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Na lang te hebben zitten worstelen in knopen - symbolisch, imaginair en reëel - heb ik aan het einde een compleet gevoel van ontknoping gekregen. Heel bevattelijk geschreven.

[Michael A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5. Very clear exposition of Lacan's conception of the psychotic subject in the 50s (what Vanheule dubs his "2nd period"). A text on Lacan will inevitably get complicated, but his shift to the 60s was relatively clear ("3rd period", primarily dealing with object a and jouissance) but the last chapter should have been a lot longer, but maybe I'm biased because I need more information on Lacan's topology. I don't think 20 pages is enough to accurately cover Lacan's work in the 70s. At a slim 171 pages, I think that with the exception of his work in the 50s (which takes up pages 33-122...well over half the book) the book in general is probably oversimplified...which, with Lacan, is probably a good thing.

Just want to reiterate pages 33-122 are absolutely Very Good and a must read analysis of the Lacanian psychotic subject as conceived in the 50s. I just wish there was more to the 60s and 70s.

[Colton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was indispensable. Simply the clearest account I've read yet of Lacan's thoughts across time.