Hello
Gentle Reader
In
his otherwise groundbreaking and long-lasting poem: “The Wasteland,” T.S. Eliot
remarked in his usual dour tone:
“April
is the cruelest month.”
Following
throughout the stanza are equal remarks of imagery on death, memory, and
wounded renewal. Throughout the month of April, writers of varying ages—from
the advanced, to the tragically young—had died, all over the world. they each
worked in different fields, but each one had contributed to the ideals of
literature. Unfortunately, due to the expiated volume of the announcements, I
could not personally write a commemorating response for each writer at the time
due to time restraints and other pressing engagements—also known as life. Now,
I’d like to take a moment and comment on the writers who were lost in
April.
Rubem
Fonseca— (April
15th)
Brazilian
literature as of late has been gaining traction via translations into other
languages. Specifically, the greats of Twentieth Century Brazilian literature,
such as Clarice Lispector, Lúcio Cardoso, and Hilda Hilst. Rubem Fonseca was
equally a force of contemporary Brazilian literature. Taking inspiration from
his years working in the police service (as a public relations employee) in
Brazil, Fonseca’s work was noted for its obscene literary works, and crime
riddled novels, short stories, and screenplays, were often dark metaphors and
reflections of the hidden darkness and corruption within Brazilian society. His
work was noted for its cruelty, probing of the darkest aspects of the human
consciousness, while also being lyrical in its appeal. With regards to his
otherwise obscene eroticism and frank discussion of brutality, Fonseca
described it depicting the world as he had known it, and Brazilian society as
he had observed and participated in. Rubem Fonseca had the unusual distinction
of being a bestselling writer in Brazil, where television watching is by far
more popular then reading. Ironically, it was due to his work being adapted for
screen did Brazil take a greater interest in the writer. The public enjoyed his
explicit and detailed accounts of eroticism, obscene scenes, and crime without censorship.
They devoured the sensationalism with fevered appetites. Despite the other noir
and Americanized crime elements of his work; Fonseca was also regarded by
critics as being highly literary in nature and work. His ability balance
transgressive qualities and pulp fiction with literary sensibilities, often saw
the writer praised and lauded with awards by institutions and judges.
Rubem
Fonseca died of a heart at, aged 94.
Rest
In Peace, Rubem Fonseca.
Per
Olov Enquist—
(April 25th)
Perhaps
one of the most important contemporary Swedish language writers of the
Twentieth Century, who had often been called one of the most underrated writers
of his generation. Per Olov Enquist used history as a focal point his work, or
historical figures to explore themes of religion, philosophy and psychology,
and their relation to human existence. His narrators were critical, analytical
people, continuously seeking truth. His style was often documentary in scope,
explaining his roots as a journalist. One of his most famous novels “The
Legionaries,” explores the real historical events of the men from Estonia,
Lithuania, and Latvia, who were conscripted to fight for the Nazi’s in the
Second World War. These soldiers did surrender to Swedish forces, they were
still imprisoned and deported, which has left a sour historical talking point
for the Swedes during this time. Enquist seared and investigated it
mercilessly. His investigative eye was one Enquist’s greatest traits as a
writer, which he utilized frequently, especially in his journalistic writings,
essays, and columns, while also employed during his research into his novels. Per
Olov Enquist belived that his upbringing is what pushed him to continually
question and seek out greater notions of the idea of truth. He was raised by a
single mother in a small remote village near the artic circle, in an
evangelical community, nonetheless. This upbringing in isolation from the rest
of the world, and the devotion to unaffirmed absolute truths, lead Enquist to
become an eternal provocateur and investigator. Throughout his thorough
research, proactive ponderings, contemplations, and writings, Per Olov Enquist
earned his title as being one of Sweden’s Literary Lions, who had been endowed
with such honours as: the August Prize (twice), the Nordic Council’s Literature
Prize, and the now defunct Independent Foreign Fiction Prize.
Rest
In Peace, Per Olov Enquist.
Eavan
Boland—
(April 27th)
Irish
poetry is considered some of the most potent works of literature in the English
language, with such writers as: W. B. Yeats, Seamus Heaney, and Tom Paulin.
Much like the rest of Irish literature, it is heavily male dominated with such
greats as: James Joyce, George Bernhard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, and Colm Tóibín.
Yet there are powerful female voices within the Irish canon as well: Anne
Enright, Edna O’Brien, and Anna Burns. Poetry wise, however, Eavan Boland
brought the female perspective or Irish poetry. Where other poets, such as
Seamus Heaney, wrote about overarching themes regarding nature, history, death,
and the Irish struggle in relation to the human condition; Eavan Boland’s
poetry brought a uniquely feminine and domestic perspective to the poetic
landscape of Irish poetry, and she made no apologies for it. Boland elevated
these otherwise uniquely female and personal sides of herself into her poetry,
transforming them into universal themes of connections with others. In this
regard, Boland was able to transcend the quiet preoccupations of otherwise
secondary matters and turn them into first class poetic sensibilities rivaling
Seamus Heaney and W.B. Yeats. Political memory is often a theme in Irish
poetry—be it in the form resistance, testimonial, or acute sense of grief—Eavan
Boland refuted the nostalgia of the times, and fixated on the personal in
relation to the political; she once remarked, during the beginning of her
poetic publications that it was more accepted to write about political murders,
then it was to write about child rearing. Still, she beat on against the
preoccupations her predecessors and her contemporaries and forged in this wake
a new poetic voice that gave voice to the women of Irish society, their own
experiences; their own stories; and their own realities. As a poet, Eavan
Boland was able to include and weave the notion of womanhood, motherhood,
domesticity, and childrearing into poetic sensibilities, which give weight to
the human condition, its vulnerabilities, its sufferings, fragilities,
strengths, historical acuity, and the mythology.
Rest
in Peace, Eavan Boland.
Maj
Sjöwall—
(April 29th)
Often
referred to as the Grandmother of modern Scandinavian crime novels, Maj Sjöwall
co-wrote ten detective novels with her partner Per Wahlöö. Together the couple
were often praised for creating the popularity of Nordic Noir and paving the
way for future Nordic crime writers such as: the late Stieg Larsson; Kjell
Eriksson; and Karin Fossum. Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö may have wrote crime
novels, they were not necessarily merely interested in crime and allowing
readers to solve the puzzle. Throughout their ten novels written together, the
two detailed horrific crimes, the painstaking and laborious police work
involved; they also gradually chipped away at the social conventions of Swedish
society, revealing a modernized heartless society, obsessed with materialistic
pursuits. The novels in their completion, were envisioned by the two authors
being seen as a Marxist critique of Swedish society. Their famous police
detective Beck is a chain smocking gloomy character, who’s trapped in a
loveless marriage, and burdened further by a child he doesn’t like. The
American hardboiled procedural, had just become more fleshed out with the aid
of Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. The trench coat cowboys of early hardboiled
fiction were finally been fleshed out as human by the two; complete with
psychological nuances, and the pains of routine mundane life. After Per Wahlöö’s
death in nineteen-seventy-five at the age of forty-nine, Maj Sjöwall did not
continue to write Beck novels. The project was a partnership, and with the
other half missing the author left it with the novel: “The Terrorists.” From
there, Sjöwall returned to freelance bohemian work, translating and writing for
magazines. She appeared as reoccurring uncredited extra in later Beck
television adaptations and would make appearances as crime novel conventions.
She sporadically wrote a few more novels, often co-authored with another, but
nothing compared to the ten Beck novels. When asked why she had ceased
publication, she remarked she had no interest in writing the same old novel
over and over again; she also scolded the new generation of crime writers,
referring to them as superfluously concerned with adaptions of their work, and
relationships, while disregarding the true work involved in police procedurals,
and the potential social criticism behind it. Regardless though, the world of
crime writing, and noir is indebted to Sjöwall. Character ancestry of what is
currently being portrayed as a police detective could be traced back to the
famous Martin Beck of Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö.
Rest
in Peace, Maj Sjöwall
It
is often remarked that when the young die it is riddled with the tragedy of
missed opportunities; unachieved futures; and lost potential. The young and up
and coming poet, Yahya Hassan died at the tender age of twenty-four; his collection
of poetry: “Yahya Hassan,” was well received from critics and the public. His
first self-titled collection of poetry sold 120,000 copies, a remarkable feat
for a poetry collection. His poetry was socially aware and critical in scope.
On one hand, Yahya Hassan criticized Danish societies perspective and hypocrisy
of its immigrant Muslim population; while on the contrary side vexed equal
vitriol against Muslim immigrants, for failing to assimilate into Danish
society, exploiting social benefits provided, and beating their children, and
setting their children up to a path of failure. The publication of his first
collection of poetry was marred with controversy, and Muslims threatened him
with death threats and calls to violence, which placed him under police
protection. Yahya Hassan’s public readings were
noted for their idiosyncratic style, and gained a following of readers. The circumstances
surrounding his death are not deemed suspicious or criminal at this time. Before
his death, Yahya Hassan published a section collection of poetry, though this
time the acclaim and success was muted to his breakthrough. Its hard to comment
or speculate on what could have been, Yahya Hassan’s poetic career. He gained recognition
and a following for his intensely poetic and socially aware and critical works.
Rest
in Peace, Yahya Hassan.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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