Jacques Lacan

For decades, Lacan's thought is proclaimed dead, outmoded by cognitive brain sciences or by non-binary (trans, LGBT+) theories of sexuality - however, Lacan's theory simply refuses to die, haunting the entire humanities as an undead creature. Is it possible to resume his writings which are proverbially ambiguous and unreadable? No, it's not possible - but in his Jacques Lacan: the Basics, Calum Neill does the impossible. Everyone can read and understand his book: it is like a top-quality trampoline, providing a firm basis on which each of us can do all the jumps and spins we want. So from now on there are no excuses permitted to those who continue to reject Lacan's theory as an unreadable mess - we should just simply respond them: 'But did you read Calum's book?' I have no doubts that thousands will. Slavoj Zizek This foundational text teaches us about Lacan in such a way as to also make clear that 'basic' need not simplify; this is an absorbing introduction that gives us something new while outlining what we need to know if we are take next steps into Lacanian psychoanalysis . Ian Parker, Secretary, Manchester Psychoanalytic Matrix. Countless students and colleagues have asked for a guide to all things Lacan and beyond over the years. This is the book to recommend. While Lacan was wilfully difficult, he was not immune to moments of extraordinarily concision and clarity. Neill's introduction is a wonderfully effortless read. Lacan, in my mind, would have approved of this line thrown to open hands. Jamieson Webster, PhD Psychoanalyst and Clinical Psychologist.