Federico Perelmuter Reviews László Krasznahorkai’s Herscht 07769

In the often tumultuous landscape of American literary criticism, a phenomenon known as brodernism has emerged, taking center stage in the dialogue over foreign and avant-garde literature. Brodernism is a critical tendency that elevates books described as “difficult,” “maximalist,” or “experimental” without proper context or nuanced evaluation. This trend tends to oversimplify and homogenize a diverse body of work into a monolithic category, often at the expense of careful analysis and appreciation. At its core, brodernism presents a form of cultural consumption that prioritizes sensationalism and superlatives over substantive literary merit.

The Brodernist Canon

The brodernist canon includes a vast array of texts, predominantly authored by male writers. These works span different genres and eras, each claiming a unique place in the realm of challenging literature. Prominent titles in this category include William Gaddis’s The Recognitions, Mircea Cărtărescu’s Solenoid, and Thomas Bernhard’s The Loser. These authors, among others, are celebrated for their unapologetic formal innovations and complex narratives, often characterized by labyrinthine structures, verbose descriptions, and intricate themes.

While it is undeniable that these texts have contributed significantly to the literary world, the brodernist tendency risks reducing them to a set of tropes and attributes. Critics and reviewers often fall into the trap of praising these works for their difficulty without considering their deeper artistic and thematic value. This approach can lead to a superficial understanding of the literature and a failure to engage with the texts on their own terms.

The Rise of Brodernism

The rise of brodernism can be traced to a broader cultural shift towards accessibility and mainstream consumption. In a world where literature is increasingly commodified and consumed as entertainment, brodernism offers a counter-narrative that values complexity and intellectual engagement. However, this counter-narrative often backfires, as it falls into the trap of self-congratulation and superficial praise.

One of the key drivers of brodernism is the cultural anxiety surrounding foreign literature in the United States. Critics and reviewers often feel a sense of obligation to introduce foreign authors to an American audience that may be unfamiliar with their work. This obligation can lead to overly simplified and sensationalized critiques that do a disservice to the literature itself. Instead of engaging with the texts on their own terms, critics tend to focus on the novelty and difficulty of the work, without properly contextualizing their significance within the broader literary tradition.

The Flaws of Brodernism

One of the primary flaws of brodernism is its tendency to reduce complex literary works to a set of pre-determined attributes. Critics and reviewers often praise works for their winding sentences, explicit references to philosophical concepts, and experimental narrative structures, without considering the deeper meaning and artistic merit of the texts. This approach can lead to a superficial understanding of the literature and a failure to engage with the texts on their own terms.

Another flaw of brodernism is its tendency to obscure the local and regional traditions that inform much of this literature. By focusing on the perceived universality of these works, critics often overlook the specific cultural and historical contexts that shape their meaning and significance. This homogenization can lead to a loss of cultural diversity and a failure to appreciate the richness of literary traditions around the world.

Moreover, brodernism often fails to account for the cultural and political nuances that inform the works it celebrates. Many of the authors included in the brodernist canon are deeply engaged with the complexities of their own cultural and historical contexts. By focusing on the literary formalism of these works, critics often overlook the subtle political and ideological dimensions that shape their meaning and significance.

The Case of Herscht 07769

To illustrate the flaws of brodernism, we can consider the case of Herscht 07769, a novel by László Krasznahorkai. Originally published in 2021, the novel is set in a small, invented town in the province of Thuringia, Germany. The main character, Florian Herscht, is an orphaned man who has an otherworldly naivete and goodwill. Despite his simplicity, Florian is caught in a complex web of power and ideology, as he works for a mysterious figure known as the Boss, who is secretly leading a small group of neo-Nazis in the town.

One of the defining features of Herscht 07769 is its single, never-ending sentence. This unorthodox narrative structure is a hallmark of Krasznahorkai’s work, and it has been much praised by critics and reviewers. However, in the context of brodernism, this formal innovation can obscure the deeper political and ideological dimensions of the novel. By focusing on the novel’s experimental narrative structure, critics often overlook the subtle political commentary that shapes its meaning and significance.

For example, one of the central themes of Herscht 07769 is the rise of neo-Nazism in contemporary Europe. Through Florian’s interactions with the Boss and his group of neo-Nazis, Krasznahorkai explores the ways in which fascist ideology can take root in a society that has ostensibly moved past it. However, in the context of brodernism, this political commentary is often overshadowed by the novel’s formal innovations. By focusing on the single sentence structure, critics can fail to appreciate the deeper political and ideological dimensions of the work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, brodernism represents a critical tendency that elevates foreign and avant-garde literature without proper context or nuanced evaluation. While it is undeniable that the works included in this category have contributed significantly to the literary world, brodernism risks reducing them to a set of tropes and attributes. Critics and reviewers must be careful to engage with these texts on their own terms and to consider the broader cultural and historical contexts that shape their meaning and significance.

By embracing a more nuanced and contextual approach to criticism, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of the literary world. This approach can help us to see beyond the superficial formal innovations of these works and to engage with the deeper political and ideological dimensions that shape their meaning and significance.

As we continue to grapple with the complexities of contemporary literature, it is important to remember the value of careful and nuanced criticism. By embracing a more critical and contextual approach, we can enrich our understanding of the literary world and deepen our appreciation for the richness and complexity of its traditions.