Perversion: The Erotic Form of Hatred

by Robert J. Stoller

The main contention is that in perversion the main clinical factor is hostility. It combines with sexual desire to produce the various forms that perversion can take on. Stoller shows that the perverse scene aims not only at denying castration, but also at securing a more solid basis for a jeopardized sexual identity. Risk, vengeance and trauma are some of the ideas that the author discusses while building up his argument

Genres: Psychoanalysis, Psychology, Gender and Sexuality, Erotica, Nonfiction, Sexuality

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally saw this as

Perversion: The Erotic Form of Self-Hatred

in a bookstore window in the Swiss Cottage area of London, back in 1985. And yes, I did mis-read the title, and yes, I do think my version of the title is more profound.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quando comprei este livro na Livraria Baleia, a dona do local, a Nanni Rios, me disse que este livro era sensacional. Comprei o livro e li a introdução. Achei rebuscada demais, científica demais. Será que o livro todo seria assim? Por sorte, não. O livro é incrivelmente diferente da introdução, que devia ser mais simples e, no final, é mais complexa. O conteúdo do livro, apesar de ter quase 500 páginas é bastante acessível. Embora eu não concorde em o autor se basear tento e defender tento as teorias psicanalíticas de Sigmundo Freud. Mas claro, o livro é totalmente pontuado e pautado por elas. Stoller encara a "perversão" de outras maneiras, traçando teorias sobre a transexualidade muito pertinentes e tentando ver onde a homossexualidade se encontra neste triângulo que ele cria entre perversão - aberração - variação. Preciso destacar que o sentido destas palavras não é o que usualmente utilizamos nas nossas conversas. A grande contribuição de Stoller, neste livro, contudo é entender como as emoções de amor e ódio, desenvolvidas na gente a partir de nossa criação, envolvem nossas relações com o sexual, com o erótico e a excitação. Dessa forma Stoller atualiza as teorias de Freud, incorporando coisas novas e descartando percepções muito retrógradas. Um livro sensacional mesmo como disse a Nanni. Li de cabo a rabo em 6 horas de viagem de ônibus de tão interessante.

[Sheziss · Rating 4 out of 5]

My third book about perversions, theoretically speaking.

Okay, my purpose in this research of mine is to understand female perversion further. However, female perversion is rarer than male's, and as such, the writer focuses harder on the latter.

Very psychoanalitic in its explanations. And also very heavy on the genital part of perversion, which is far from my motivation, and which ironically manages to add even more confusion to the topic and to arise even more questions.

Anyway, any perspective helps, as it manages to remain so obscure. Doesn't help that perversion as such doesn't appear as a thing anymore in clinical practice, which is inconvenient. Because it still exists, and creates anguish.

My favorite part was the explanation about the victim-victor procedure (infancy as a victim, adulthood as a victor), the feeling of risk and still of getting triumph, and the hostility and revenge.

I guess my previous experience reading BDSM helps. Or it may not.

Very brave in denying the fact that homosexuality works as a diagnosis. It was written before homosexuality was erased from the DSM.

[❀ Diana ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perversion is viewed as an erotic action of self-hatred AND as a means of punishing others; people sexually punish themselves for ill-intended acts they have committed or they push it onto others as a form of relief. The psychology of sexual intercourse as well as sexual orientations and genders has taken different routes since Freud has made statements about the Oedip complex and whatnot. Still a very complex matter to look into, both from a psychological point of view and an evolutionary standpoint.

[Monica Istrate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly written, very solid argumentation and ultimately worthwhile.

[cititordeweekend · Rating 3 out of 5]

potrivită mai degrabă pentru cei care cunosc puțină psihologie pentru că intră în niște delalii destul de specifice din domeniul psihologiei.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Stoller is certainly old school in his conceptualization of psychoanalysis, and very much adheres to Freud‘s overemphasis of sexuality and masculine primacy, this book is still a very worthy read in it’s conceptualization of perversion. Likely the best that I have read on the topic.