Seeking the elusive "Brothernism": Locating the radical cult that embraces hardship and asceticism
Literary critic Federico Perelmuter's recent essay, titled 'Against High Brodernism,' published in the LA Review of Books, has sparked debate within the literary community. The contentious piece condemns male critics' fetishistic praise for a canon of supposedly difficult texts written by men, such as those by Bernhard, Krasznahorkai, and Hugh Kenner.
Perelmuter's argument centers around the notion that the reception of translated literature is dominated by unwarranted admiration for its complexity, which leads to a lack of in-depth analysis of historical and cultural context. Furthermore, he believes this tendency is exceedingly aggravating.
The essay, embedded with cultural critiques and proclaiming to review a lengthy Hungarian novel, Herscht 07769 by László Krasznahorkai, has gone viral in the post-peak Twitter era. However, the lack of media attention surrounding Herscht 07769 makes it doubtful that Perelmuter will gain any credit for his critique.
Perelmuter's piece draws attention for encapsulating common literary criticism elements designed to generate clicks rather than foster intellectual discourse. These elements include gender-essentializing between difficult and accessible literature, overtly political anti-liberal commentary, and flamboyant theorizing, often lacking substantiated evidence.
Critics argue that Perelmuter is merely magnifying a vibe on Twitter, misrepresenting the dominant trends in anglophone literature. The field, far from being dominated by maximalist, macho-centric admiration for challenging literature, is primarily characterized by conventional, internet-realist narratives. Additionally, the International Booker longlist of 2023 highlights this trend, as 11 of its 13 titles are under 250 pages.
Despite Perelmuter's criticisms of highly praised translated literature, numerous acclaimed authors writing relatively accessible and shorter books, such as Jenny Erpenbeck, Yoko Tawada, Constance Debré, Clarice Lispector, Fleur Jaeggy, and Mieko Kawakami, have attained greater critical and commercial success than the authors Perelmuter finds fault with.
In conclusion, the essay "Against High Brodernism" stimulates discussion regarding the need for a more balanced and nuanced approach to the evaluation and contextualization of translated literature. Although Perelmuter raises significant points, his analysis of Krasznahorkai's novel, Herscht 07769, is inconsistent, and his argument against the supposed dominance of "High Brodernism" is not conclusively supported.
As an editor responsible for this magazine's Books section, I acknowledge the importance of critically reviewing translated literature, encouraging reads of various styles and authors. Our platform serves as an essential bridge for bringing outstanding international works to a broader English-speaking audience. While some of these titles are complex, we strive to present them in an accessible manner to our readers.
In essence, the debate sparked by Perelmuter's essay is an ongoing reminder of the necessity for open-mindedness and continuous reflection in the realm of literary criticism. Rather than solely focusing on the complexity or difficulty of a work, the emphasis should be on critically engaging with literature, encouraging curiosity, and striving for a more equitable and diverse literary landscape.
Perelmuter's essay in the LA Review of Books, titled 'Against High Brodernism,' discussing the reception of translated literature, also touches upon the realms of fashion-and-beauty and entertainment, as he critiques the tendency to praise complexity over contextual analysis and the lack of diversity in these spheres. In response, it's essential to embrace a lifestyle that values critical engagement, curiosity, and equitable representation across all art forms.
In the broader context, bookworms and enthusiasts of fashion-and-beauty or entertainment might find Perelmuter's essay insightful, as it sheds light on the need for a more balanced approach to literary criticism, fostering a more inclusive and nuanced appreciation for literature and beyond.
