Plebeian Prose

Plebeian Prose is a key work by the pioneering Argentinian-Brazilian anthropologist, sociologist and poet, Néstor Perlongher. Perlongher represents an original critical “queer” voice in Latin American thought, whose work has been highly influential in the development of Latin American cultural theory and literature. 

This book is an exploration of the politics of desire, questions of identity, Latin American neobaroque aesthetics, sexual dissidence, violence and jouissance. Prompted by his reading of Gilles Deleuze, the link between politics and desire remains central to all of Perlongher’s reflections and gives his writings a lasting topicality. A thinker of the streets with a keen interest in those on the margins of society, the ideas that Perlongher develops in this book offer a lucid critique of capitalism and institutional power. His approach also reflects a particular Latin-American neobaroque style, a mode of critique whose value endures today.

Providing insight into Latin American culture and politics of the late 20th century, Plebeian Prose will be of particular interest to anyone working on critical theory, literary theory, anthropology, sociology and gender studies.