Three three-letter words in three recent novels in three different languages: God, sex and joy

Abstract

In this article, the authors propose to analyse the ways in which religion and sexuality are related to one another in three recent novels: (1) Fransi Phillips�s Die donker god (2007), (2) Inga �olude�s Santa Biblia (2013) and (3) Michel Houellebecq�s Soumission [English translation: Submission] (2015). In each case, the novels are briefly placed within their respective literary cultures (Afrikaans, Latvian and French) in order to offer a contextually sensitive analysis. After each of the novels has been discussed related to the three related topoi of God, sex and joy, some comparative remarks are offered in conclusion.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: In this contribution, from the theological field of Spirituality Studies, the field of Comparative Literature is approached, seeking to identify aspects of Religiosity and Sexuality from the perspective of Post-Secularity.

Keywords

• Religion
• sexuality
• joy
• literature
• Houellebecq
• �olude
• Phillips