Althusser and Feminism

by Alison Assiter

A critical assessment of Structuralism and Post-Structuralism and their significance to Marxism and feminism. Assiter challenges commonly held views regarding Althusser's contribution to Marxism and offers an alternative to radical feminism.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published February 2, 1990

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Oh how neat!" I thought, browsing the library shelves. "A book on Althusser and feminism. This out to be good."

Yeah, Althusser is mentioned briefly in the beginning and the end of the book. I think there was something about feminism at one point too. Nothing, absolutely nothing, tied this book's diversions together. Just a hodgepodge of theories thrown together.

[Leo46 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yep... basically what the other reviewers of this book have said. Such a fruitful project yet just becomes this insanely mechanical exegesis and 'criticism' of Althusser's philosophy. Her method just chops up terms thrown around in Althusserianism and tries to define them concisely in almost a 'bad analytic philosophy' way, which diminishes all depth and nuance of Althusser's terms yet also defers it to external labels like 'structuralism' (a very homogenizing use of that term, at that). 2 stars since it at least makes an effort at explaining philosophical concepts and still is a 'well-written' book but just very flawed in many of her arguments. I do wonder if she really understood what Althusser was saying at times...