The Puerto Rican Syndrome

“A short circuit occurs when two currents to be kept apart meet, thus producing an explosive disturbance of the system. Gherovici’s book is such a short circuit, bringing together Lacanian psychoanalysis at the highest conceptual level and the concrete experience of social work among Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia. The result is breathtaking: the proof that top theory and engaged social experience need each other. A must for everyone, especially the anemic Cultural Studies academics!” —Slavoj Žižek