Following Djuna
Subtitle: women lovers and the erotics of loss
By: Carolyn Allen.
Series: Theories of representation and difference
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Bloomington
Language: eng
Number of pages: 142
Subjects: Harris, Bertha, 1937- -- Criticism and interpretation.; Winterson, Jeanette, 1959- -- Criticism and interpretation.; Brown, Rebecca, 1956- -- Criticism and interpretation.; Barnes, Djuna -- Influence.; Lesbians' writings, American -- History and criticism.; American fiction -- Women authors -- History and criticism.; English fiction -- Women authors -- History and criticism.; Lesbians' writings, English -- History and criticism.; Erotic stories, American -- History and criticism.; Erotic stories, English -- History and criticism.; Homosexuality and literature -- English-speaking countries -- History -- 20th century.; Women and literature -- English-speaking countries -- History -- 20th century.; Lesbians -- English-speaking countries -- Intellectual life.; Loss (Psychology) in literature.; Lesbians in literature.; Women in literature.
Description: Following Djuna reads contemporary novelists in the tradition of Djuna Barnes, arguing for the importance of women's fiction in understanding women's erotics - emotional and sexual exchanges between women. Barnes's Nightwood, with its experimental form and passionate language, has made its mark on contemporary writers, and Carolyn Allen argues that Harris, Winterson, and Brown continue Barnes's explorations of obsession, loss, excess, and power between women lovers.

Allen stresses the importance of difference in lovers who are "like", and the influence of memory in the making of desire. At the same time, she illuminates the ongoing trade-offs between passion and comfort, and between loss and discovery as crucial to the intensity of women's erotics.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-135) and index.