Grunge Lit
Encyclopedia
Grunge Lit is an Australian literary genre
usually applied to fiction
al or semi-autobiographical
writing concerned with young people
living in suburban or inner-city surroundings. The genre characterises itself by examining "gritty, dirty, real existences", where life revolves around a nihilistic
pursuit of vices such as sex
, drugs
and alcohol
. It has been described as both a sub-set of Dirty realism
and an offshoot of Generation X
literature. The genre was first coined in 1995 to capitalise on the success of Andrew McGahan
's first novel Praise which had been released in 1991 and became popular with sub-30 year old readers, a previously under-investigated demographic. Since its invention the term Grunge Lit has been retrospectively applied to novels written as early as 1977.
The majority of Grunge Lit works place their subjects within an urban or suburban environment where they explore the relationship between the body
and the soul
. Often the central characters are disfranchised, lacking drive and determination beyond the desire to satisfy their basic needs. The authors use a confessional style of narration and autobiographical elements to achieve an intimacy with the reader. Although arousing antithetical views on publication, the majority of Grunge Lit books received little critical attention
.
Australian author
s recognised as having written Grunge Lit include Andrew McGahan
whose novel Praise, won the Australian/Vogel Literary Award in 1991, Helen Garner
whose novel Monkey Grip
won the National Book Council Award in 1978 and Edward Berridge who wrote The Lives of the Saints.
Literary genre
A literary genre is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or even length. Genre should not be confused with age category, by which literature may be classified as either adult, young-adult, or children's. They also must not be confused...
usually applied to fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al or semi-autobiographical
Autobiographical novel
An autobiographical novel is a form of novel using autofiction techniques, or the merging of autobiographical and fiction elements. The literary technique is distinguished from an autobiography or memoir by the stipulation of being fiction...
writing concerned with young people
Young People
Young People is a 1961 Mexican crime film directed by Luis Alcoriza. It was entered into the 11th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Teresa Velázquez - Olga * Julio Alemán - El Gato* Adriana Roel - Alicia...
living in suburban or inner-city surroundings. The genre characterises itself by examining "gritty, dirty, real existences", where life revolves around a nihilistic
Nihilism
Nihilism is the philosophical doctrine suggesting the negation of one or more putatively meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism which argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value...
pursuit of vices such as sex
Human sexuality
Human sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
, drugs
Recreational drug use
Recreational drug use is the use of a drug, usually psychoactive, with the intention of creating or enhancing recreational experience. Such use is controversial, however, often being considered to be also drug abuse, and it is often illegal...
and alcohol
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
. It has been described as both a sub-set of Dirty realism
Dirty realism
Dirty Realism is a North American literary movement born in the 1970s-80s in which the narrative is stripped down to its fundamental features.This movement is a derivative of minimalism. As minimalism, dirty realism is characterized by an economy with words and a focus on surface description...
and an offshoot of Generation X
Generation X
Generation X, commonly abbreviated to Gen X, is the generation born after the Western post–World War II baby boom ended. While there is no universally agreed upon time frame, the term generally includes people born from the early 1960's through the early 1980's, usually no later than 1981 or...
literature. The genre was first coined in 1995 to capitalise on the success of Andrew McGahan
Andrew McGahan
Andrew McGahan is a bestselling Australian novelist, best known for his cult first novel Praise, and for his Miles Franklin Award-winning novel The White Earth.-Early life and education:...
's first novel Praise which had been released in 1991 and became popular with sub-30 year old readers, a previously under-investigated demographic. Since its invention the term Grunge Lit has been retrospectively applied to novels written as early as 1977.
The majority of Grunge Lit works place their subjects within an urban or suburban environment where they explore the relationship between the body
Body
With regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
and the soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
. Often the central characters are disfranchised, lacking drive and determination beyond the desire to satisfy their basic needs. The authors use a confessional style of narration and autobiographical elements to achieve an intimacy with the reader. Although arousing antithetical views on publication, the majority of Grunge Lit books received little critical attention
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
.
Australian author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
s recognised as having written Grunge Lit include Andrew McGahan
Andrew McGahan
Andrew McGahan is a bestselling Australian novelist, best known for his cult first novel Praise, and for his Miles Franklin Award-winning novel The White Earth.-Early life and education:...
whose novel Praise, won the Australian/Vogel Literary Award in 1991, Helen Garner
Helen Garner
Helen Garner is an award-winning Australian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist.-Life:Garner was born in Geelong, Victoria, the eldest of six children. She attended Manifold Heights State School, Ocean Grove State School and then The Hermitage in Geelong...
whose novel Monkey Grip
Monkey Grip (novel)
Monkey Grip is a novel by Australian writer Helen Garner, her first published book. It initially received a mixed critical reception, but has now become accepted as a classic of modern Australian literature. A film based on the novel, also titled Monkey Grip, was released in 1982.-Plot summary:The...
won the National Book Council Award in 1978 and Edward Berridge who wrote The Lives of the Saints.