Celebrated Chilean author Benjamin Labatut, hailed as a significant voice in contemporary literature, will be speaking in Greece on May 21 at 8:30 PM on the Main Stage of the Onassis Foundation Stegi. Known for blurring the lines between essay and fiction, reality and imagination, Labatut will engage in a fascinating conversation with Afroditi Panayiotakou, the Foundation’s Director of Culture.
Labatut defies traditional categorization, crafting a unique hybrid genre that captivates both critics and audiences. Straddling the realms of science and storytelling, he explores the complexities of genius and madness, as well as the dreams and nightmares that accompany scientific advancement. His work evokes both wonder and apprehension, where reality and fantasy seamlessly merge.
Born in Rotterdam in 1980 and raised in The Hague, Labatut currently resides in Lima, Chile. Known for his enigmatic presence and extensive translations, he has garnered multiple international awards. His book, When We Cease to Understand the World, was a finalist for the 2021 Booker International Prize, featured on Barack Obama’s summer reading list, and was declared Book of the Year by notable publications like The Guardian and The New York Times.
In When We Cease to Understand the World, Labatut blurs the boundaries between science and literature, fiction and nonfiction. He delves into the unsettling shadows that accompany scientific enlightenment. In The Stone of Madness, he examines the resurgence of irrationality in an increasingly incomprehensible world, drawing inspiration from figures like H. P. Lovecraft and Philip K. Dick. His 2023 release, MANIAC, narrates the life of John von Neumann, a towering intellect of the 20th century, exploring the dark myths surrounding our contemporary reality and the rise of artificial intelligence while reflecting on the potential consequences of humanity creating its own formidable deity.
What distinguishes Labatut’s writing process is its thorough research focus: “I’m not particularly concerned with story structure; I prioritize research. Discovery is key—finding someone else’s insight holds more value for me than inventing something new. I see writing as akin to a walk, where I gather fragments rather than build a narrative.”
The intertwining of dreams, delirium, and hyperbole in Labatut’s works resonates with our reality, rendering that distinction almost fragile. “I am captivated by delirium, the absurdities of logic, and the extremes of thought. I am drawn to the contradictions that both distress and enlighten us, immersing myself in chaos, randomness, and the infinite,” he states.
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