Love On An Analyst’s Couch (Press, 28 December 1985)
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Summary: Love On An Analyst’s Couch (Press, 28 December 1985)
"Other Women" is a novel by Lisa Althar, published in 1985, known for its exploration of complex relationships and self-discovery. The narrative centres on a 35-year-old nurse who navigates her troubled past, including a failed marriage and numerous affairs. Seeking clarity and understanding, she visits a psychotherapist in New Hampshire who guides her through her feelings of bisexuality, a desire to care for others, and an overarching need for love. The therapist, too, has her struggles, grappling with her own past, including a failed marriage, the loss of two children due to accidental poisoning, and the challenges of menopause. As the nurse seeks to make sense of her identity and relationships with both men and women, she engages in a series of sexual encounters while attempting to maintain some emotional boundaries. However, the relationship dynamics raise concerns regarding the therapist’s objectivity. At times, it appears that the therapist may be too emotionally involved, particularly as the nurse navigates intense feelings of anger, desire, and anxiety. This potential conflict of interest leads to questions about the effectiveness of their sessions and whether the therapist is providing the guidance the nurse requires in exchange for her financial investment. The narrative hints at the development of the therapist's own lesbian feelings toward the nurse, but this plot point is not fully resolved by the end of the story. Critics have described the novel as somewhat superficial and indicative of a therapeutic process that can sound more like the musings of an enthusiastic patient than a true exploration of psychoanalysis. Despite its shortcomings, the portrayal of a lesbian lifestyle and the introspective themes are expected to resonate with readers, especially those who are introspectively inclined, given Althar's previous success with her first novel, "Kinflicks."
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