Practice of Love

<p> . . . a work that builds a substantial bridge between Freudian psychoanalysis and radical feminist thought particularly on the subject of lesbianism. . . . Presenting a complex argument about an issue vital to the psychoanalytic endeavor as well as to feminist theory <i>The Practice of Love</i> should stimulate a reconsideration of 'perversion' and the construction of sexual fantasy. The illumination of the fantasies that make lesbian desire distinctive will necessarily open up our understanding of all sexuality. --Jessica Benjamin New York Times Book Review<br /><br />Teresa de Lauretis has entwined three books into one: a critical history of psychoanalytic theories of female homosexuality; a bold study of how lesbians keep disappearing from popular culture especially film; and an original speculation on the dynamics of lesbian desire. --Elisabeth Young-Bruehl<br /><br />An important and original contribution not only to lesbian and gay studies but also to psychoanalytic theory and film criticism. De Lauretis brings a unique and valuable perspective to issues of great importance today in all these areas. --Leo Bersani<br /><br />De Lauretis's influential theory gets top marks from sapphic scholars who know best. --Out<br /><br />In an eccentric reading of Freud through Laplanche and the Lacanian and feminist revisions Teresa de Lauretis delineates a model of perverse desire and a theory of lesbian sexuality. <i>The Practice of Love</i> discusses classic psychoanalytic narratives of female homosexuality contemporary feminist writings on female sexuality and the evolution of the original fantasies into cultural myths or public fantasies.</p>