/lit/ - Literature

[Anonymous No.16121836]

What is the best example of avant garde literature

[l'chaim No.16122067]

>>16121836
This is a difficult question, and is potential for a good discussion of experimentation in literature.
When discussing avant-garde literature would we want to look at the "best" as the most experimental, the most boundary-pushing or would the best avant garde book be the one with most influence?
If we are to say that most experimental, boundary-pushing book is the greatest avant-garde work then there are many contenders, but this does not mean that those contenders are good literature. When it comes to the most avant-garde books you have those such as Anti-Oedipus, La Bas, or even Codex Seraphinianus (an encyclopedia in a nonsense language with equally nonsensical illustrations). However the influence these books have on the literary world at large is virtually nonexistent.
Therefore I believe it's more rewarding to look at those works which have experimented beyond what was customary of the time, and some of these works may be more conventional than others previously mentioned, but this is because the authors of these works were *good* writers. They knew that simply writing unreadable mush was not what made a book avant-garde, but a mix of convetions and anti-conventions would have profound effect.
Truthfully I'd say the best example of avant-garde literature would be a toss-up between Tristram Shandy and Ulysses.
Tristram Shandy broke conventions before those conventions were laid down.
Ulysses completely changed the landscape of novelism, and nothing has come close to its genius since.

[Anonymous No.16122134]

>>16122067
Sure, those books were incredibly experimental for their day, but everybody who gets a degree in literature has to read Ulysses, and Tristam Shandy is one of the most popular books from before the 1800's. But what are the most avant garde books written since the 80's? The stuff that took Ulysses and Finnegans Wake as givens, and innovated even further?

[Anonymous No.16122239]

homer

[l'chaim No.16122417]

>>16122134
Personally, in my opinion, no one has truly innovated beyond Joyce, but there are plenty of avant-garde writers of the 80's and beyond that come to mind.
Cormac McCarthy can be considered avant-garde for his stripping down of prose to its bare bones and for pushing the boundaries of desolation and despair in literature.
There is also Pynchon and Wallace of course, all popular choices, but with good reason.
Italo Calvino and Julio Cortazar are also commendable for exploration of metafiction, I hesitate to bring up metafiction as I believe most of it to be schlock, but If on a Winter's Night, a Traveler and Hopscotch are some exceptions.
The best avant-garde since the 80's must unironically be Infinite Jest.

[Anonymous No.16123626]

>>16122134
A somewhat show-offy example of modern avant-garde is house of leaves. Just finished it 30 minutes ago and don't really know what to make of it yet but it's certainly a unique experience

[l'chaim No.16123782]

>>16123626
I thought mentioning this one, but it seemed somewhat gimmicky, though it is enjoyable for people who really love puzzles.

[Anonymous No.16124316]

>>16121836
The Torah (phonetic hebrew version)

[Anonymous No.16124350]

Probably that one that was a bunch of interconnected stone tablets that could be fit together. Can't remember its name.

[Anonymous No.16124404]

>>16121836
The third policeman by flann O’Brien

[Anonymous No.16124433]

The Stranger

[Anonymous No.16124680]

>>16121836
Bottom's Dream by Arno Schmidt

[Anonymous No.16124690]

[l'chaim No.16124708]

>>16124680
This is the real answer.

[Anonymous No.16124720]

Jordan Peterson