The Limits of Interpretation

The Limits of Interpretation opens a window onto unexplored dimensions of Wilfred Bion’s thought, presenting essays that illuminate both familiar and lesser‑known facets of his work. It guides readers through complex notions such as visible‑invisible hallucinations, bizarre objects, and a radical reframing of the Oedipus complex – shifted from incest and parricide to arrogance and the desire for knowledge.

Taking various of Bion’s key works in turn, Civitarese explores what is unique about Bion’s thinking on essential topics such as projective identification, infantile development, and intuition, to shed light on the continued importance of Bion’s early work, in particular for contemporary psychoanalysis. By focusing on Bion’s Kleinian‑phase essays, this volume highlights their pivotal role in comprehending his entire theoretical landscape and how far they extend beyond traditional Freudian and Kleinian frameworks. It even poses the question: was Bion ever truly a Kleinian?

Offering a close reading and clear interpretation of Bion’s sometimes dense writing, this is essential reading for any psychoanalysts or psychotherapists wanting to understand Bion’s work better.