Love and Lust: On the Psychoanalysis of Romantic and Sexual Emotions - Softcover

Reik, Theodor

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0765809680 ISBN 13: 9780765809681

Publisher: Routledge, 2002

Synopsis

These selections from Theodor Reik's work concern the love life and sexual activity of men and women. Reik establishes the theme of this work in the following way: "The sex urge hunts for lustful pleasure; love is in search of joy and happiness." Over a third of this volume had never been published in book form before it originally appeared half a century ago. Its appearance in paperback, for the first time, is a welcome addition to current debates, liberated from ideological and political constraints.

The first part of the book is so far ahead of its time that it is still current. It reveals Reik's departure from Freud's theories and from those of most of his contemporaries in psychology and psychoanalysis. Part Two is a greatly abbreviated version of Masochism in Modern Man, retaining those parts with a direct bearing on the subject of this volume. Part Three offers two essays on why people remain single. In the author's usual direct style, they deal with the marriage shyness of the male and the psychological fears and resistance of both men and women to acceptance of the marriage bond. Part Four is Reik at his wisest. "The first lady whom I asked to read the manuscript said smilingly: 'Many of your impressions about us (women) are correct. No man should read the book!' A few seconds later, she said: 'Or rather, every man should read the book!'"

As Paul Roazen noted, "in contrast to some of Freud's other followers, Reik was prescient early on in distinguishing self-love from narcissism. Reik believed that genuine self-regard was the ultimate basis for developing the capacity to love."

At times Reik seems to defend women, at times to critique them. Yet he writes with sympathy and understanding. He challenges other authorities who have written on the subject, but he also agrees with many of them. Love and Lust is civilized writing at its most provocative. Reik is authoritative, and his book reflects the glow of a rich personality. It is mellow, but uncompromising.

About this title

About the Author

Theodor Reik (1888-1969) was one of Sigmund Freud's earliest and brightest students; their association lasted from 1910-1938. He immigrated to the United States in 1938 and founded (1948) the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis. He is author of classic books, including, From Thirty Years with Freud, Listening with the Third Ear, and The Secret Self.

Paul Roazen (1936-2005) was professor of social and political science at York University in Toronto. He was the author of Helene Deutsch and Brother Animal, both available from Transaction.

Review

“Theodor Reik’s book, Of Love and Lust, is a refreshing contribution from a psychoanalyst. He seems to be able to free himself from the appalling folklore with which all psychiatrists since Freud have invested the subject. It is pleasant to learn that love can be treated, even by a professional analyst, as a universal phenomenon between two people. Reik’s treatment avoids the painful mumbo jumbo of academic psychoanalese and talks some good sense.”

—R. D. Jameson, Western Folklore

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0765809680
• ISBN 13: 9780765809681
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 640