A book a day: Tom Sharpe: The Great Pesquisa

Original Language: English

Títutulu Original: The Great Pursuit

Year of publication: 1977

Translation: Mónica Martín Berdagué

Valoración: advisable

Usually, I try to flee from the novels starring writers (so difficult to meet, since many authors seem to think that there is no other trade worth reflecting in fiction); Now, another thing is the books that speak of the literary world -editors, agents, and even criticism -, which are usually the most fun, being a fairly prone to humor and irony … If not the satire, as is the case (1).

This Book of the Great Tom Sharpe, in fact, deals with the journey of another novel entitled, let’s say that somewhat grandiloquent, Stop, oh men, before the Virginthat one day comes to the London Literary Agency Frensic & Futtle, sent by an Oxford lawyer, since its author or author wishes to remain in the strictest anonymity, presumably by the scandalous character of the book, which tells the romance and, with particular care 70s, when it was published The great investigationliterature with sex in large quantities and, if possible, something rough, it was the one that sold the best … I want to think it is something that no longer happens), so the literary agent Frederick Frensic set up a strategy to get a grassland for her to the American publisher Hutchmeyer. With the small inconvenience, of course, that he must present to an author who firmly puts his face, so Frensic throws Peter Piper, a poor letter wrapped to the one who has been representing -or, rather, not representing, since there is no way to place his self -fiction novel -, getting to embark him towards the US together with his partner, Sonia Futtle, to make the obligatory promotion. And this is when things begin to twist uncontrollably and, moreover, unforeseen, especially when the distance enters the scene, as well as deranged, Baby, Hutchmeyer’s wife.

I will not count anything else, first, because I do not want to do spoilers, but, above all, because the plot of the novel becomes so convoluted and delusional that it is impossible for me to summarize it. Anyway, for those who seem an entire unlikely argument, remember recent cases of writers who have used pseudonyms successfully to remain in the shadow, such as Elena Ferrante or even those who have been represented in public by Sosias, as happened in the equally incredible, but certain, history of Jt Leroy. As regards the plot of this novel, his premise could be perfectly plausible, although Sharpe, faithful to his style, leads it to the most unfortunate humorous delirium, although it is true, I think, that it is not the most spawning book of this author. However, it has sufficient load of humor and bad milk to cause not the smile, but more than a laugh -specially, at least according to my opinion, the chapters that are developed in libloolis, Alabama, ironically appropriate village name-; It is true that it is a humor today an incorrect tad (or, instead, very correct, as they paint things in the world, lately) and. Thus, we find certain doses of what there will be those who consider homo and transphobia, gather towards the oppressed peoples, bodyshaming -special, gordophobia, or as it is said -, recurring age and even mocks religious feelings (2). I will not deny it, but we must bear in mind that it is a humorous novel of almost half a century ago and, above all, Tom Sharpe. And to Tom Sharpe’s books, you know, you have to come cried, Meado and shit. There is no other.

In any case, the most interesting of The great investigation is that, in addition to being a satire acid on the literary world -I repeat: writers, editors, agents and even criticism (3)– In it we also found a metaliterary game about the very nature of literature and its creation, where it should be directed and why, etc. That we are facing a humor novel for so long does not change things, because, in fact, things have barely changed in all this time.

(1) Moreover, we are in full season of book fairs and style events, in which the mercantile and political interest joins the egolatry of the junior writers, as it is said in this video that you can see in our great YouTube channel (yes, we also have one, what did you believe?)

(2) Of racism, on the other hand, there are no traces, perhaps because, as it is well known, Sharpe was educated, during his childhood and adolescence, in Nazis ideas, which he later rejected in his adulthood, especially after emigrating for a while to South Africa … Too bad that the same does not happen with all the public characters from that country, and I am not thinking of anyone (or yes).

(3) Today I would have added, I suppose, to Booktubers and influencers, with a special emphasis on the obsession with the likes and the number of followers in the networks, which often determines who is published anymore.

Other novels of the great Tom Sharpe reviewed in a book a day: Wilt, Los Grope, Skinny scholarships, The worst of each house