The origins of transgressive fiction are difficult to pinpoint to a single work, as literature has long featured characters and themes that push boundaries. I can say, after years of conducting research and reding books in this genre, I found out that the history of transgressive fiction is complex, as it is mixed with broader literary movements and societal changes over time. While the term "transgressive fiction" is relatively modern, the themes it encompasses have been present in literature for centuries. In this post, I'll do my best to share a summary of what I know about the history and evolution of Transgressive fiction and literature.
Coining the Term
As I discussed in a short article 'Transgressive Fiction History' the term "transgressive fiction" was popularized by Los Angeles Times literary critic Michael Silverblatt. This genre encompasses works that focus on characters who feel confined by the norms of society and who break the social and legal boundaries, often in shocking ways, to redefine their existence. Authors commonly associated with transgressive fiction include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Irvine Welsh.
Development and Recognition of the Genre
The term "transgressive fiction" began to gain traction in literary circles in the late 20th century. It was used to describe works that not only depicted taboo subjects but also sought to critique and destabilize societal norms. Key characteristics of the genre include:
Breaking Taboos: Transgressive fiction often involves characters who engage in behavior considered unacceptable or extreme, such as crime, drug use, or unconventional sexual practices.
Critique of Society: These works frequently critique societal norms, exposing the hypocrisies and constraints of mainstream culture.
Exploration of Identity and Alienation: Many transgressive works delve into themes of identity, alienation, and the human psyche, often portraying characters who feel disconnected from society.
Transgressive fiction as a recognized genre began to take shape in the 20th century, particularly with the rise of existentialist and postmodern literature.
Evolution and key milestones of Transgressive Fiction
Ancient and Early Literature
"Satyricon" by Petronius (1st century AD) One of the earliest examples of transgressive literature, this Roman work portrays the hedonistic and rebellious lives of its characters, challenging the moral norms of its time.
"The Golden Ass" by Apuleius (2nd century AD) This ancient novel includes elements of magic, transformation, and taboo-breaking behavior, reflecting an early exploration of transgressive themes.
Medieval and Renaissance Literature
"The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri (14th century) Dante's vivid depictions of sin and punishment in "Inferno" challenged religious and moral conventions, paving the way for later transgressive works.
"Gargantua and Pantagruel" by François Rabelais (16th century) Rabelais' satirical and often bawdy tales critique societal norms and authority, embodying early transgressive elements.
18th and 19th Centuries
Marquis de Sade His works, such as "Justine" (1791) and "The 120 Days of Sodom" (1785), are seminal in the development of transgressive fiction, exploring themes of sexual liberation, cruelty, and moral relativism.
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley (1818) Shelley's novel about scientific hubris and the creation of life challenges ethical boundaries and societal norms.
"Madame Bovary" by Gustave Flaubert (1857) Flaubert's portrayal of a woman's adulterous affairs and the resulting societal condemnation pushed the boundaries of acceptable content in literature.
Early 20th Century
D.H. Lawrence Novels like "Lady Chatterley's Lover" (1928) and "Sons and Lovers" (1913) explore sexual relationships and class tensions, often courting controversy.
James Joyce "Ulysses" (1922) was groundbreaking in its stream-of-consciousness style and explicit content, challenging literary and societal conventions.
Mid 20th Century
Beat Generation Authors like Jack Kerouac ("On the Road" (1957)) and William S. Burroughs ("Naked Lunch" (1959)) pushed against societal norms with their explorations of drug use, sexuality, and alternative lifestyles.
Vladimir Nabokov "Lolita" (1955) shocked readers with its depiction of a man's obsession with a young girl, challenging moral boundaries.
Late 20th Century
Bret Easton Ellis "American Psycho" (1991) is a prime example of late 20th-century transgressive fiction, with its graphic depictions of violence and consumer culture critique.
Irvine Welsh Known for "Trainspotting" (1993) and later works, Welsh's gritty, raw depictions of drug addiction and urban life continue the tradition of transgressive fiction.
Chuck Palahniuk "Fight Club" (1996) became a defining work of modern transgressive fiction, exploring themes of masculinity, consumerism, and anarchism.
21st Century
Ottessa Moshfegh Her novels "Eileen" (2015) and "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" (2018) explore dark and unsettling aspects of human behavior and psychology.
Sam Pink Known for his gritty, darkly humorous, and often unsettling work, Sam Pink's novels and stories explore the lives of marginalized individuals. Notable recent works include "Ice Cream Man" (2020) and "Garbage Times/White Ibis" (2018).
Lisa Taddeo Author of the critically acclaimed "Three Women" (2019), which, although non-fiction, explores deeply transgressive themes regarding female desire, autonomy, and societal constraints. Her novel "Animal" (2021) continues to push boundaries with its dark and intense exploration of female rage and trauma.
Megan Nolan Her debut novel "Acts of Desperation" (2021) is a raw and unflinching exploration of obsessive love, self-destruction, and the dark sides of human relationships, positioning her as a significant new voice in transgressive fiction.
Chelsea G. Summers Author of "A Certain Hunger" (2020), a novel that blends dark comedy with transgressive elements, focusing on a female food critic who turns into a cannibalistic serial killer, challenging conventional narratives about gender and power.
Akwaeke Emezi Their works often challenge traditional narratives and explore themes of identity, gender, and societal norms. "The Death of Vivek Oji" (2020) and "Freshwater" (2018) are notable for their boundary-pushing content and exploration of complex, often transgressive identities.
Steps to Study the History of Transgressive Fiction
However, whatever I've mentioned is a brief overview of what I believe is the evolution of what made Transgressive Fiction as a genre but in order to do an in depth study, I recommend you to do the following:
Identify Key Works and Authors: Create a list of seminal works and authors in transgressive fiction, from ancient texts to contemporary novels. Include writers like Petronius, Marquis de Sade, Mary Shelley, James Joyce, William S. Burroughs, Bret Easton Ellis, and Chuck Palahniuk.
Understand Historical Context: Study the historical and cultural context in which these works were written. Consider how societal norms, political climates, and cultural movements influenced the creation and reception of transgressive literature.
Literary Analysis: Perform a close reading of key texts, focusing on themes, characters, narrative techniques, and the ways in which these works challenge societal norms. Look for scholarly analyses and critical essays to deepen your understanding.
Explore Related Genres: Examine how transgressive fiction intersects with other genres such as gothic fiction, existentialism, and postmodernism. Understand how elements of these genres contribute to transgressive themes.
Academic Resources: Utilize academic books, journals, and papers that focus on transgressive fiction. Look for comprehensive studies and critical essays that discuss the development and impact of the genre.
Key Resources
Here's a list of resources to study further:
Books
Transgressive Fiction: The New Satiric Tradition by Robin Mookerjee (2013)
Reading Chuck Palahniuk: American Monsters and Literary Mayhem edited by Cynthia Kuhn and Lance Rubin (2009)
J.G. Ballard: Visions and Revisions by Jeannette Baxter (2011)
The Transgressive Iain Banks: Essays on a Writer Beyond Borders edited by Martyn Colebrook and Katharine Cox (2013)
Extreme Fiction: Fabulists and Formalists edited by Robin Hemley and Michael Martone (2004)
The Power of Lies: Transgression in Victorian Fiction by John Kucich (1994)
Extreme States: The Evolution of American Transgressive Fiction 1960-2000 by Coco d'Hont.
Henry Miller on Writing by Henry Miller
Hannibal Lecter, My Father by Kathy ACKER
The Adding Machine: Selected Essays by William S. Burroughs (1993)
On Writing by Charles Bukowski (2016)
White by Bret Easton Ellis (2019)
Consider This by Chuck Palahniuk
The Chronology of Water: A Memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch
Bad Girls and Transgressive Women in Popular Television, Fiction, and Film Edited by Julie Chappell and Mallory Young
Papers and Articles
A Preface to Transgression by Michel Foucault (1963)
Transgression as Poesis in The Bluest Eye by Shelley Wong (1990)
Violence, pornography, and voyeurism as Transgression in Bret Easton Ellis' American psycho by Vartan P. Messier (2004)
Transgression in the Fiction of Philip Roth by Robert M. Greenberg (1997)
The erotics of transgression by TIM DEAN
The Lacuna of Usefulness: The Compulsion to ‘Understand’ Transgressive Fiction by Molly Hoey (2014)
Transgressive Narration: The Case of Autofiction by Stefan Iversen (2020)
Faulkner, Transgressive Fiction,(Post) Modernist Literature by Ahmed Honeini (2019)
Will Self's “Garden of Unearthly Delights”: The Antihero and the City in Dorian: An Imitation by Arijana Luburić-Cvijanović and Viktorija Krombholc (2021)
Lesbian Gothic: Transgressive Fictions by Paulina Palmer (1999)
Fiction: The 1960s to the Present by Jerome Klinkowitz (2001)
Lit Oblivion: The Cruel Songs Of Comte De Lautréamont’s Les Chants De Maldoror Ian Wolff (2015)
The Sinner and the Saint review – the story behind Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment by Ian Thomson (2021)
The Classic Novel That Saw Pleasure as a Path to Freedom by Claire Vaye Watkins (2020)
Banned Books and Blockbusters by Louis Menand (2016)
Theses
Human Body as a Subject to Violence in American Transgressive Fiction by B.M. Rouzek
Constructing Transgression: Criminality in Experimental Literature by Charles Kell
‘I AM JACK’S BROKEN HEART’- TRANSGRESSIVE SEX AS A REFLECTION OF CHARACTERS’ PERSONALITY IN CHUCK PALAHNIUK’S SURVIVOR, LULLABY, CHOKE AND FIGHT CLUB by Filozofická fakulta
Power: women, privation and language in American narrative, 1861-1936 by Deborah Michelle Garfield.
Life Sucks: Classifying Transgressive Fiction by Jena Christianson
Men Without Limits: Exploring the subversive potential of hypermasculinity in transgressive fiction by MARK BOND
Websites and blogs
Comments