A review by iliapop
The Anthropocene Unconscious: Climate Catastrophe in Contemporary Culture by Mark Bould

1.0

An indulgent and frustrating work of exegesis – Bould takes novels and films almost at random and reads them radically (with little regard to authorial intent) to provide tenuous connections to climate change. So the book is less an exploration of the unconsious fear of climate change underlying contemporary culture, and more about Bould's own conscious efforts to find that fear in every article of culture he chooses. His argument is that such readings, if they become mainstream (a big if), will help fortify resolve to address the crisis. It's a claim I don't find particularly convincing – there are probably better ways to inspire action on the climate. On that, it's notable that Bould's broad-brush depiction of the failures of governments and businesses, which might help raise the reader's consciousness on the climate emergency, are not footnoted at all, in contrast to the sections analysing culture, which are densely, sometimes pointlessly, footnoted (there's no need for so many ibids...)

I'll admit that I find Bould's approach to criticism (always a risk, no final proof), to be ultimately unsatisfying. The notion that all readings are equal is a radical one, but I think it leaves the practice at a dead end. For me the patient work of excavating authorial intent is more fruitful, but I'm prepared to look past this if the readings are at least interesting. I don't think the book succeeds in this department either, however. Bould spends far too much time describing the works he's supposed to be analysing, and only briefly ties those descriptions to an argument. The book discursive nature makes it feel longer than it is, and frequently leaves you unsure of the point Bould is trying to make. To be honest, my eyes started glazing over towards the end.