Meta-Fiction, Parody, and The [Basque] Apocalypse Revealed to All

Abstract

The literary and cultural scholar Joseba Gabilondo has exerted considerable influence on the field of Basque and Iberian Literary Studies. His scholarly work often generating attention for his opinions expressed about canonical Basque Literature and authors. This article returns to his publication of Apokalipsia guztioi erakutsia. Although the book obtained the "Erein Narratiba" award in 2009, the collection gained no scholarly attention and hardly received any critical reviews. But recent changes have occasioned a second look, an in-depth critical reading, that seems timelier than ever. The literary scholar Gabilondo would, of course, agree; since, as he conceded to Gorka Erostarbe in a recent interview concerning, among other issues, the Covid-19 pandemic: "Our new horizon is not history, but apocalypse". Gabilondo fictionally scaffolds his reflections on issues that have long concerned him as an intellectual and have occupied most, if not all, of his scholarly work. The lack of worldliness and roundness of his fictional proposal in favor of a literature-of-ideas does not do away with the overwhelming impression the reader is left with. Indeed, we have been the recipients of a shrewd revelation. Admittedly, a revelation that twinges the reader who shares the author's fears.