What's Left of Pleasure? A Book Review of Janet Halley's Split Decisions: How and Why to Take a Break from Feminism

Franks, Mary Anne

Abstract

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What's Left of Pleasure? A Book Review of Janet Halley's Split Decisions: How and Why to Take a Break from Feminism

Mary Anne Franks

University of Miami School of Law

Winter 2007

Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, Vol. 30, 2007

Abstract:
This book review evaluates Janet Halley's "hedonics of critique," a theoretical approach that prioritizes the celebration of pleasure over harm - harm that Halley claims Feminism has not only unduly emphasized but has in many cases created in and for women. This review suggests that this hedonics of critique ignores harm, especially sexual harm, in favor of a quasi-Foucauldian imperative to enjoy.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 9

Keywords: feminism, feminist legal thought, Janet Halley, Foucault, sexual violence, rape

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Date posted: March 27, 2009 ; Last revised: April 20, 2009

Suggested Citation

Franks, Mary Anne, What's Left of Pleasure? A Book Review of Janet Halley's Split Decisions: How and Why to Take a Break from Feminism (Winter 2007). Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, Vol. 30, 2007. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1369354

Contact Information

Mary Anne Franks (Contact Author)

University of Miami School of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 248087
Coral Gables, FL 33146
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.miami.edu/faculty-administration/mary-anne-franks.php?op=1