Literatura ze środka Europy · Marcin Piotrowski

Elfride Jelinek - Dane odosobowe (2022)

·26 min·2 clips

The host admits Elfride Jelinek's previous novel 'Children of the Dead' overwhelmed him—now he confronts her 2022 book 'Isolation Data'.

["The host introduces the episode by reflecting on his previous difficulty with Jelinek's novel 'Children of the Dead', setting up a personal engagement with her new work.", "He presents 'Isolation Data' as a 2022 book published in Poland in 2024 by WAB, translated by Agnieszka Kowaluk, and notes its nomination for the Karl Dedecius Prize.", "The host mentions planned future episodes: one with Andrzej Ka\u0142u\u017ca and Natalia Pryfer on the Karl Dedecius Prize, and another with Ania from 'Znalezione Przeczytane' on Jelinek's 'The Piano Teacher'.", "He describes the book's ambiguous genre, noting it is classified as a drama on Wikipedia and has been staged, with multiple performance trailers available online.", "The host explains the book's first-person narrative style as a dense 'wall of text' with minimal plot, focusing instead on thematic exploration.", "He outlines the book's origin in Jelinek's real tax investigation, where German authorities suspected her of tax evasion due to her dual residency in Vienna and Munich.", "The host details how the book satirizes aggressive tax optimization by corporations and the wealthy, using examples like Bayern Munich and figures such as Franz Beckenbauer and Boris Becker.", "He notes the book critiques state structures and big business collusion, arguing it targets systemic issues rather than specific political parties.", "The host discusses the inclusion of historical Nazi figures Arthur Seyss-Inquart and Baldur von Schirach as characters, linking them to themes of law and post-war justice.", "He mentions the book's treatment of pandemic-related themes, describing it as post-pandemic literature that reflects on state management and healthcare funding.", "The host highlights Jelinek's personal family history, including her Jewish father who worked for the Third Reich and her mother who rescued Jews during the war.", "He analyzes the book's experimental form, comparing it to Thomas Bernhard's repetitive prose but describing Jelinek's as more fragmented, like Morse code.", "The host praises translator Agnieszka Kowaluk's work, referencing a panel discussion by the Austrian Cultural Forum where Kowaluk explained the translation challenges.", "He describes the reading experience as demanding but rewarding, with humorous, ironic tones despite serious subject matter.", "The host notes the book's use of wordplay, shifting registers, and ambiguous pronouns, which he finds linguistically brilliant in the Polish translation.", "He reflects on the book's contemporary relevance, citing ongoing issues with international corporations and weak European elites.", "The host recommends the book for its formal innovation and critical insight, calling it 'cruelly funny' and highly current.", "He concludes by reiterating upcoming episodes on the Karl Dedecius Prize and Jelinek's 'The Piano Teacher', thanking listeners for their attention."]

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