Chilean author Gonzalo Maier states his lack of interest in upholding a specific notion, affirming that he need not possess a concept of his own.
In the realm of contemporary Chilean literature, Gonzalo Maier stands out as one of the most prominent voices. His novels, Mal de altura and Pina, delve into complex themes that resonate with readers, offering a unique perspective on society and the human condition.
Maier's latest work, Mal de altura, is a thought-provoking exploration of neoliberalism and its impact on individuals. The novel introduces us to Echaurren, a character who suffers from altitude sickness, which Maier interprets as a symbol of power and the inability to let go. Similarly, the protagonist of the first novel in the volume, Horacio Piña, embodies all the virtues of the neoliberal worker.
Money, in Maier's novels, is portrayed as an uncontestable force, capable of merchandising anti-capitalism and selling books on how to destroy capitalism. This idea is echoed in Socrates Saavedra, another character in Mal de altitude, who dreams of allying with the Brazilian football player Sócrates to finance political parties.
Maier's works are not devoid of humour and irony. He compares individuals who seek to be artists for the performativity of the experience to cheese, stating that what interests them most is the performance, the performativity of the experience. Irony, for Maier, is "a space of hygiene, of putting things into perspective to be able to self-criticize".
The title of Mal de altura was inspired by the Penta Case, in which two corrupt businessmen were sentenced to ethics lessons. Maier proposes the novel as two rocambolesque and raw stories crossed by work and power, with Horacio Piña embodying the paradigm of the neoliberal worker.
Ingrid Mora, a deceased art critic who appears as a ghost to Horacio Piña, argued that "wanting to be an artist had never before been a condition for being one". Her review of Horacio Piña's novel was titled Too Much Cheese, and she argues that cheese is used to hide poor artistic proposals.
Maier believes that the writer is akin to a chef who must constantly flirt with cheese, making their work more entertaining, direct, and pleasant. He is interested in "that strip where something is stupid, but it's still possible". This approach can be seen in his comparison of the act of teaching to only reaching a few students and feeling like the job is done when some find meaning in the work.
Saavedra and Piña, the protagonists of Mal de altitude and Horacio Piña, respectively, are characterized by resignation and cynicism towards neoliberalism. Socrates Saavedra, the protagonist of Mal de altitude, dreamed of being a Russian philanthropist or a Brazilian footballer, and if given the choice, he would lean towards being a Brazilian footballer.
In a world where money and power permeate our lives, Gonzalo Maier's novels offer a refreshing and thought-provoking take on society and the human condition. His works challenge us to question our beliefs and values, inviting us to reflect on our place in the world and the impact we have on others.
