Exophthalmic Icons: Patterns of Eccentricity in Luis Chitarroni's La noche politeísta

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the patterns of eccentricity shown in the short stories book La noche politeísta (2019), by the Argentinean author Luis Chitarroni. From an interdisciplinary framework, it is focused on both textual analysis, and sociological criticism on “World literature” studies, which approach the concept of “eccentric literature”. The first section of the essay begins by exposing some of literary devices which deconstruct Western literary canons, audience's horizon of expectations, and build an autofictional relationship through characterizations of “failure writers” or fictional cultural agents in these short stories. Then it sets out the relations among these literary techniques and the ways of production, circulation, and reception of independent publishing houses. Finally, the paper argues that Chitarroni's literary agency also plays a role in the circulation and legitimization of other eccentric works.