Echoes of Counterculture in Stefano Benni’s Humour

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Abstract

Stefano Benni's first novel, Terra! (1983) — a sci-fi spoof and a satire of contemporary life — set the trend for his subsequent fiction. Blending fantasy, pop culture, literary pastiche and current affairs, Benni's political and social satires have been nationally and internationally successful. Less known yet crucial to the understanding of his fiction as well as to his use of humour are his earlier writings and their engagement with social and political issues. This study aims to show that the roots of Benni's humour, with its coarse language, puns, pastiche and mocking tone, are to be found in the student spirit and political protest of the 1970s. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach which draws on social history as well as structuralist methods of literary analysis, it argues that the subtle rhetorical strategies employed, as well as the strong underlying political intent, militate against the dismissive label of 'popular fiction writer' attached to himbysome critics.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-42
Number of pages14
JournalRomance Studies
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

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