Synopses & Reviews
Jeanne Favret-Saada is arguably one of Franceandrsquo;s most brilliant anthropologists, and The Anti-Witch is nothing less than a masterpiece. A synthesis of ethnographic theory and psychoanalytic revelation, where the line between researcher and subject is blurredandmdash;if not erasedandmdash;The Anti-Witch develops the contours of an anthropology of therapy, while deeply engaging with what it means to be caught in the logic of witchcraft. Through an intimate and provocative sharing of the ethnographic voice with Madame Flora, a andldquo;dewitcher,andrdquo; Favret-Saada delivers a critical challenge to some of anthropologyandrsquo;s fundamental concepts.
Sure to be of interest to practitioners of psychoanalysis as well as to anthropologists, The Anti-Witch will bring a new generation of scholars into conversation with the work of a truly innovative thinker.
Synopsis
The anti-witchand#8212;first published in 2009 under the title Dand#233;sorcelerand#8212;is Jeanne Favret-Saadaand#8217;s third and concluding monograph on witchcraft in the Bocage (West France). This first English edition (translated by anthropologist Matthew Carey) presents a synthesis of ethnographic theory and psychoanalytic revelation, wherein the line between researcher and researched is blurred if not erased. At once classic and state-of-the-art, The anti-witch develops the contours of an anthropology of therapy, while methodologically and epistemologically engaging what it means to be caught in the logic of witchcraft. Through an intimate and provocative sharing of the ethnographic voice with one Mme. Floraand#8212;a and#8220;dewitcherand#8221; and one of Favret-Saadaand#8217;s interlocutors for two yearsand#8212;The anti-witch delivers a critical challenge to common anthropologial chestnuts like and#8216;affectand#8217; and participant observation. Of interest to practioners of psychoanalysis and anthropologists who work on themes of magic and witchcraft, trauma and therapy, religion and belief, this new editionand#8212;with a foreword by anthropologist Veena Dasand#8212;is also certain to bring a whole new generation of scholars into conversation with the work of one of Franceand#8217;s most brilliant anthropologists.
1st Edition Publication Data (French Original): 2009. Dand#233;sorceler. Paris: and#201;ditions de Land#8217;Olivier.
About the Author
Jeanne Favret-Saada is a French anthropologist and the author of many books, including Deadly Words: Witchcraft in the Bocage.