ABSTRACT
In the recent past few literary controversies have attracted more attention and mobilized stronger affective engagements within the landscape of Germany’s literary feuilletons than those surrounding authors who came under suspicion of being in some way right-wing. This chapter takes the debate that followed the publication of Simon Strauß’ first novel Sieben Nächte (Seven Nights) in 2017 as an entry point into an investigation of expectations and opinions regarding the role literature plays in the constitution of affective publics. We trace the debate that took place in the feuilletons, as well as in social media and at literary events over the period of half a year, working out in particular how different actors refer to affective categories in their critique of text and author. Frictions and ambivalences between the concepts of literary emotionality and political emotions can be observed particularly well as they emerge when concepts of pure art and politically engaged literature collide. Our contribution explores the alleged right-wing writer as a dynamic and mobilizing figure on the conflict line of these discourses.
