On Defining Freud's Discourse continues Mahony's scholarly examination of Freud's writing style presented in his Freud As A Writer(1987). Patrick Mahony is particularly well placed to do this since he is both a practising psychoanalyst and Professor of English Literature. The present volume is a joy to read: it is lively, informative, gracefully written, and substantive. Mahony presents his arguments strongly and with aesthetic flair. He can be quite convincing indeed. Yet there are matters in dispute and these will be addressed in discussing his aims and ideas.

Mahony's purpose appears to be to demonstrate the connexion between style and substance in Freud's writings. The 'dogmatic' and 'genetic' writing styles