The article reflects on the academic prestige of the late 20th century, characterized by influential theorists and the rise of complex literary criticism. However, it critiques the recently published collection 'Silent Catastrophes' by Winfried Georg Sebald for being dense and lacking in substance compared to his narrative works. While Sebald's novels are celebrated for their depth and innovation, the essays seem to suffer under academia's publish-or-perish culture, leading to a disillusionment for those who expect a continuation of his literary prowess.
"The essays, with some exceptions, represent academic writing at its most convoluted, most resistant and most sterile, the deathless products of the publish-or-perish academic treadmill."
"This gnomic apercu is one of many such that might be lifted at random from Silent Catastrophes, a hefty volume of posthumously published essays on European literature in general, and on Austrian writers in particular."
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