Feminist Views from Somewhere

Reviews / Votes

'Feminist Views from Somewhere offers us a rich and complex view of feminist theory and practice and the ties between them in a number of urgent settings with pressing, even burning, issues that those who remain committed feminists must face. But the richness and theoretical complexity of the book makes it not only a must read for feminists but also anyone interested in the interdisciplinary crossroads at which feminist theory and practice finds itself.' - Drucilla Cornell, Rutgers University, USA and co-author of The Spirit of Revolution: Beyond the Dead Ends of Man

'A subtle yet ringing challenge to those involved in academic, political and artistic feminist praxis to drop their prejudices and take a(nother) look at Jungian ideas as these have evolved over the years. Problems with sexism and heteronormativity have not stopped an analogous engagement with Freud, Lacan and psychoanalysis from taking place. We see clearly that Jungian feminist thinking and acting is, by now, far more elaborate than explicating the goddess in every woman or exhortation to run with the wolves (without forgetting that these earlier approaches have benefited millions of women). What this next-generation collection of richly diverse voices compels us to notice is that there is now the knowledge and the motivation within the scholarly Jungian world to make a rigorous, distinct yet comprehensive contribution to feminist thinking.' - Andrew Samuels, Professor of Analytical Psychology, University of Essex, UK

'With this potent assembly of women's voices that expound a vision of social transformation, Leslie Gardner and Frances Gray have crafted a vibrant and indispensable contribution to contemporary dialogues between Jungian studies, feminism, and gender studies.

Collectively, the contributors to this volume argue for the liberation of woman from the paternal and masculine assumptions of Jungian psychology, with its often antiquated and harmful definitions of femininity. True to their argument, each articulates their own individual concerns for a reworking of Jungian psychology to acknowledge the unique specifics of a woman's experience in her encounters with psyche, body, and society.' - Dr Lucy Huskinson, School of Philosophy & Religion, Bangor University, U.K., and co-Editor-In-Chief of the International Journal of Jungian Studies

'Feminist Views from Somewhere is remarkable in that it presents a plurality of feminine voices without imposing a direction that would have served some strategic editorial aim. This is reflected in the appendix, which relates a debate that took place on the webforum of the International Association of Jungian Studies. Such freedom allows the reader to find gems and a wealth of new expression and ideas in the field of feminism and psychology.' - Nathalie Pilard, The Journal of Analytical Psychology