Of Political Intentions and Trivial Conventions: Erika Pluhar's Die Wahl (2003) and Marlene Streeuwitz's Jessica, 30. (2004)

Abstract

This essay examines common ground between two recent novels: Die Wahl (2003) by Erika Pluhar and Jessica, 30. (2004) by Marlene Streeruwitz. 1 Both writers' women protagonists have lovers who are politicians, and both texts engage with Austrian politics, set as they are against the backdrop of the growing acceptability of populist, right-wing politics in contemporary Austria. These modern 'Entwicklungsromane' show the development of a sense of resolve in their respective protagonists. Where Pluhar's novel makes playful reference to trivial literature conventions at a diegetic level only, Streeruwitz uses and manipulates the format of a popular literary formthe woman's novel, or 'chick-lit' novel -to assist her in interrogating political events in Austria at the time of the novel's setting. Despite their outward appearance as trivial romance stories, both novels have strong political agendas.Dieser Aufsatz sucht nach Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen zwei zeitgenössischen Romanen: Die Wahl (2003) von Erika Pluhar und Jessica, 30. (2004) von Marlene Streeruwitz. Die Protagonistinnen beider Romane haben einen Politiker als Liebhaber, beide Texte befassen sich mit derösterreichischen Politik, denn sie spielen vor dem Hintergrund der zunehmenden Salonfähigkeit rechtspopulistischer Parteien inÖsterreich. Diese modernen Entwicklungsromane zeugen von einer wachsenden Entschlossenheit der zentralen Figuren. Während Pluhar sich nur im diegetischen Bereich auf Konventionen der Trivialliteratur anspielt, macht sich Streeruwitz eine populäre Form -den Frauenroman oder die Chick-lit -zu eigen, und bedient sich dieser bei ihrer Untersuchung der politischen Ereignisse inÖsterreich zur Zeit des Romangeschehens. Trotz deräußeren Erscheinung als Liebesromane legen beide Texte großen Wert auf politisches Hinterfragen. ROMANCING THE ELECTION? ERIKA PLUHAR'S DIE WAHL (2003)Erika Pluhar is primarily known for her highly successful career as an actor and singer, a career that she and the protagonist of her 2003 novel have left behind in order to pursue other ambitions. The crossovers between the author's biography and the events and characters of the novel do not stop 1

A Different Shade of Pink: Literary Thresholds and Cultural Intersections in Italian Chick Lit

“…For an exhaustive overview of the role and the representation of women in Italian media see Giovanna Campani, Veline, nyokke e cilici: femministe pentite senza sex e senza city (Bologna: Odoya, 2009); Norma Rangeri, Chi l'ha vista? Tutto il peggio della TV da Berlusconi a Prodi (o viceversa) (Milan: Rizzoli, 2007); and in particular Lorella Zanardo"s documentary Il corpo delle donne <http://www.ilcorpodelledonne.net/> [accessed 14 January 2011]. become a single mother or pursue her career?…”

A Different Shade of Pink: Literary Thresholds and Cultural Intersections in Italian Chick Lit

“…For an exhaustive overview of the role and the representation of women in Italian media see Giovanna Campani, Veline, nyokke e cilici: femministe pentite senza sex e senza city (Bologna: Odoya, 2009); Norma Rangeri, Chi l'ha vista? Tutto il peggio della TV da Berlusconi a Prodi (o viceversa) (Milan: Rizzoli, 2007); and in particular Lorella Zanardo"s documentary Il corpo delle donne <http://www.ilcorpodelledonne.net/> [accessed 14 January 2011]. become a single mother or pursue her career?…”