UMG has claimed the ad revenue for this video, which means Justin Bieber is officially making money off a review of Babyf*cker. Get yourself something nice, Biebs!
I learned your apple lesson the hard way very early in life. My kindergarten teacher asked us to color in a row of apples on a coloring sheet. Because I had just been to the grocery store with my family, I made some of them yellow and some of them green and some of them have pink cheeks on the yellow and some of them red. I got points deducted because they weren't all red and I was very upset. It's amazing how these little moments lead us to understand such huge ideas.
Haha, yeah, learning about the difference in our cognition is always bound to be bizarre. We go through so many existential crises as children as the world opens before us.
this is so upsetting- i’m so sorry😕 your teacher should’ve never been a teacher if that’s how they react to students having their own opinions and interpretations.
Ain’t gonna lie, I felt like I was in school during the opening semiotics exercise but as soon as “I fuck-“ came onscreen it felt like someone walked in the class room with a gun. You’re one hell of a teacher Juan, lol.
King! Only you could review this, and I mean that 100%. Where most would just squirm or exploit the subject matter for “freaking out” for the sake of content, you stand as intelligent, levelheaded, and incredibly insightful. I’ll echo everyone else in the comments: You’re a GENIUS!
Dude I can listen to you talk about books all day. Your insight into your 15 Favorite Books was one of the most personal, truthful and whole dialectic I've seen. This examination cements you as the one of the best. Your honesty when discussing books is just extraordinary.
Hey, thank you so much! I’m just happy you’ve been enjoying the videos! That’s what this is all about. My aim, first and foremost, is to talk about these books in a way that disarms their perceived unreadability. Someone needs to talk about stuff like this! 😂
HOW. DO. YOU. DO. THIS?? This became one of my favourite videos from you!! It's crazy! Your analysis is so engaging and the pacing is like a talk I could've had at any high-n-absurdly-expensive university, but infinitely better! A true gift from knowledge (I say this because I didn't finish school XD LOL! I stopped institutionalization at Middle-school and I've been learning entirely from books, films and "chingadazos de la vida" since I was 13). I read MIMESIS long ago, thanks for refreshing that book into my memory, I'll consult it again soon. Anyway, I digress :3 This was beyond amazing. I was so excited by this that I watched it all over again with my wife and popcorn. She also was amazed and excited! (she's a professor in literature) Every time I watch your videos, I feel so much smarter, like CriminOlly said a few comments below. I confess that my first image from the title was that gruesome assault from A SERBIAN FILM... you know, THAT scene. Now I really have to read this book! An attempt that wins and fails in unison? Sounds like a manifesto on perception, imagination and more... Thank you, my dear friend, for always making my mind happier ^^
Thank you so much, as always, for such kind words! And I dropped out of grad school, so, not the same thing, but I feel you. I feel like eventually one just has to choose passion over decorum and follow their own path, and knowledge is gained everywhere. A Serbian Film is what crossed a couple other people’s minds, apparently!
This is truly excellent. Nice use of psychoanalysis and semiotics to try to explain what’s going on. I know professors who couldn’t have explained the themes as well as you did (and I’ve been in academia for a while). Don’t know that I’ll read this, mostly because it sounds kinda like an academic exercise rather than an engrossing or evocative narrative. But I can respect what’s going on here, and I appreciate your explaining it.
Oh wow, thank you so much!!! I honestly don’t know what to say to this comment, other than, I’m glad I withdrew from my doctorate program, since I find Booktube discussions much more fulfilling and appreciative of what I have to say, so thank you for being part of this journey. Yes, this isn’t really much of a story, but I will say: The prose style is really captivating!
You are absolutely fantastic kid! One of the most fascinating subjects I have ever heard! You need to consider a teacher position or a writer yourself! You got heart my friend and I can’t wait to see what you do next! Or just when you thought it was safe to go back and open a paperback book!!!
Thank you so much for the kind words! My dream was to be a college professor, but I had to withdraw due to mental health reasons. I really appreciate the beautiful audience I’ve garnered here on Booktube, always willing to hear me review books like this one. 😂
These were really some fantastic thoughts on the power of language and especially the power of the harshest and most painful language. You approach your videos with such an air of humility but they are truly brilliant.
"You approach your videos with such an air of humility but they are truly brilliant." You articulated what I have been meaning to say to Juan for the longest time and I could not agree with you more!
I was completely spellbound and enraptured by your excellent presentation of a work I have zero interest in reading, and then you topped it off by ending with Bieber's "Baby" which brought me back to reality cuz I literally LOL'ed. So glad to see you making consistent content again, your channel is a gem!
You really need to ease the tension at the end with videos like these! 😂 Thank you so much for such kind words! I’m just happy you got something out of… this.
Bravo! This is the most insightful review this book will ever get. This book, whose title I can’t bring myself to type, has justified it’s existence by inspiring this video.
Thank you so much, Michael King Vaughan, for your always touching words! Indeed, upon searching, I don’t think anyone else has reviewed this book on RU-vid. I wonder why?
Thank you so much, Toby! It is honestly an interesting exercise when reading extreme horror. I always ask myself, “What am I actually picturing when reading books of this nature?” The answer is: Not good things. 😂
Brilliant. When it comes to literature, you are truly an analytical genius, my friend… never cease to amaze me. This was such an incredibly sophisticated and illuminating analysis of the nature of language and its generation of affect. I’m going to have to watch this one a second time (and maybe pick up that source material to educate myself further). Nice work.
That’s a nice way of saying you’re gonna buy a book called Babyf…trucker. 😂 I’m glad you enjoyed the video, Dave! As always, I really appreciate your support.
this is the first video i’ve ever come across by you and i just have to say i love how you structured the video. you are truly engaging! it’s not what i was expecting in the least but i was pleasantly surprised.
Honestly, I’m not sure how to feel about this video with this title being your first impression of me, but I guess it’s as good as any! 😂 Jokes aside, thank you so much. I really appreciate the supportive words!
Your intro had me ROLLING! Thanks for taking one for the team and making a video on this. I assumed the book was purely about the act of *insert vague hand gestures here* so I have been too scared to even google the book summary LMAO. Pleasantly surprised that it's rather the opposite. Only you could convince me to get my hands on a book with *that* kind of title.
Thank you, Romeo! I myself was surprised by what it was actually about-I didn’t think I’d make it past page 1. 😂 It’s definitely worth a try if you like experimental fiction!
Interesting discussion of taboo and the power of language. I’d also say it’s a brave video. Keep making your excellent content Juan. Thanks for uploading this.
Thank you so much, Gareth! It really means a lot that you could appreciate this video beyond the obvious veneer of shock. I was honestly nervous about posting it, but everything seems fine. 😂 Cheers!
Do you do this for a living? You are very well spoken, and you use metaphors and great examples in previous literature to explain this gargantuan book. It’s truly impressive how you use psychoanalysis here. You could be a college professor of literature or philosophy.
Far, far from it. 😂 I drive a van for a living lol. I just do this for the passion of it, I guess. But thank you so much for your kind and flattering words! I’m here solely so that people will gain some insight they never would’ve stumbled upon before. I think that’s just as fulfilling as teaching!
You continue to amaze me! This is a fascinating analysis of a book that I probably would never have come across. I need to watch this again, and probably in one sitting, to fully grasp what you’re saying about this book. I wonder how many Beliebers will stumble across this… 😜
Thank you so much, Justin! I don’t know what will happen if you watch this more than once-that’s your choice. 😂 Babyliebers will probably get a kick out of it, or not!
My birthday was on the 13th and it was easily one of the hardest days of the year for me. Getting a very intellectual dive into a book with suck a shocking title, and in such a funny manner, really helped me brighten up. Thanks king, cheers!
Happy belated birthday to you! I’m really sorry to hear things were rough for you. I’m happy that this video (of all things lmao) was able to provide some comfort. You’re always welcomed here!
You are brilliant. You have the teacher's touch, and your presentation could easily be a paper at an academic conference. I use "Odysseus' Scar" in my teaching when we cover Genesis from the Bible as literature. Auerbach makes an interesting juxtaposition between Homeric and Biblical texts.
Wow, thank you! I did present a few times at graduate conferences-never a paper like this though! 😂 I feel like this is better appreciated here. I really appreciate your kind words, and yes, I actually have plans to use this first chapter of Mimesis again in a video I want to make on animal literature-particularly with how Auerbach discussed animals in the Bible!
I came to your channel for book reviews, I definitely stayed for your incredibly intelligent explanations of not only a book, but everything surrounding a book.
2nd comment but IDC... Best video yet IMO. A great explanation of something I want to read in the future whilst not being overly descriptive of what actually occurs. Just as the book you review, this video packs a PUNCH. Great videos! I'll be back for more. I'm not sure I can say that I fully grasp the theories and literary themes you allude to, but it was a great deal of cool info! KEEP THAT ISH COMING JUAN!
Sign me up for your class on transgressive fiction/abjection/semiotics, this was really cool. Those exercises made your point so clear! Outro song 10/10 selection btw.
subscribed for this one. fantastic analysis here and one that vindicates me as someone who owns this book and has to defend its place on my shelf lmao! it seems impossible for so many people to take anything away from art and media like this other than just that feeling of abjection, without even realizing (or wanting to realize) what they're feeling or where it comes from, but you handled it so tastefully and even succeeding in making this book seem a lot more approachable, i'm sure, to someone who hasn't read it but is interested in philosophy of art and the mind. keep up the great work!
Thank you so much!!! To unmask abjection as a conduit of dialogue and not a repellent is always the mission. Seeing the powers in abjection is how the marginalized like me gained their voice, after all!
@@PlaguedbyVisions you're so right about that! that's what's always drawn me to work like this, as a queer weirdo myself haha. thanks for the thoughtful response too, i honestly wasn't even expecting it! you're my new favorite channel on youtube, i think! i agree with the other commenters that you should absolutely be teaching english classes or something! you just have the perfect mind for this stuff!
I have aphantasia, I can't literally picture anything. I can think about things and it's like stuff is going on behind a black curtain and I know what's happening but I can't literally see it. It's like I conceptualize it if that makes sense. I don't even want to conceptualize ... that. Great video!
This is definitely a situation where most people would want to have aphantasia. I actually think it’s awesome that you’re able to experience art in such a singular way!
@@PlaguedbyVisions Thank you. I usually like having aphantasia, it's the way my brain has always worked. I see pros and cons to it. This is definitely a pro. Probably a factor in why I can read such disturbing books.
This was excellent, I genuinely feel like I’m smarter now than I was before I watched it. I don’t think anyone else could have made this video. The book sounds very interesting, I’m going to add it to my Christmas list.
Thank you so much, my homie! If I had known this would be the video everyone would throw such nice compliments at me on, I would’ve named it something else. 😂 Yes, have the wife pick this one up for you.
Good lord, this might be the best video on RU-vid. Ending it with that song!🙈😂 Juan, you are not right.(😉) Wasn’t sure I had the stomach to watch this one but goddam that was enlightening. You’re fire, Juan.
I rarely comment here but OMG!!!!! This was an amazing analogy!!!! Please tell me that you are some kind of literary teacher or professor. If not, they don't know what they're missing!!! I felt like I was back at school!! Yea, it just reminds us to "not judge a book by it's cover" for sure!! I myself am guilty!! I was thinking this was going to be another book on your "most disturbing or disgusting" list!! lol. What means something to one person can mean something totally different to another! I've been watching this channel for a while now, and today, I'm subscribing!!!! I have to say, you picked an awesome song to end this video. I was LMAO!!!! 🤣🤣 It was perfect!!
Wow, thank you so much! No, I withdrew from my doctorate program because of mental health reasons. Best decision in my life imho, since now I get to make videos like this with a beautiful and understanding audience! This is definitely a disturbing book, but not in the way one would believe from the title. I myself was surprised to find how different it was from what I imagined. Thank God! 😂 Thank you so much for subscribing! I really appreciate the support, and hope you enjoy the rest of the videos!
This is the first video of yours I’ve seen, and I’m in loveee. I love messed up shit and creepy books but this one was way too far for me to even want to read but I wanted to know what it was about, and your analysis was a much better watch then I’m sure the book would have been as a read
I TOTALLY ASKED ABOUT THIS LAST STREAM I WATCHED! Like I said then, I wanna read it, but don't wan't the unfair judgements... lol... or fair judgements. Love it buddy!
I remember! Well… Here ya go! 😂 I read this as quickly as possible shut in my room and it is not displayed on my shelf… Although maybe hiding it makes it seem worse than it is!
King of going to prison! You’re not alone. The entire time I kept wondering if they were a dumb reference to Paul and Linda McCartney, and that just made it funnier.
OMG 10 seconds in and DYING 🤣 Okay edit after watching....my sweet god Juan. If you EVER...EVER....doubt yourself and your absolutely amazing ability to state your thoughts in such a cohesive and intelligent way...please revisit this video. This could be played in college classes. No joke!
@@PlaguedbyVisions that made me relate with you big-time, because, I "live" in English now, and I am currently writing my dissertation about horror films! I adore the abject in all its forms, but I seek the sickening and disturbing often. I'm very excited to be able to peruse your content!
Holy sh*t, this is one of the most beautiful things anyone’s ever told me! 🥲 Thank you so much! So glad your brain’s being plagued by the good kind of visions!
In response to your very thoughtful video, for some reason all I can offer is that Tracks by Louise Erdrich is excellent. Lot of time to peruse your bookshelf.
@@PlaguedbyVisions Ha. Yeah. I didn't think of that. "What's the literal first thing you did in 2023?".... "Ummmm. I watched a babyfucker video..." *blush* 😂
Hehe, thank you! ☺️ Check out my latest video if you wanna see how much I’ve changed! (This isn’t promo, I swear-I just genuinely think you’ll be shocked!)
I may be lucky in that I’m literate and have a strong imagination and know the area of both Soledad and Salinas California. I have deep familial roots which stem from there and I have a love and appreciation for Mr. Steinbeck. Why do I feel like apologizing?
I totally agree with Pax Panic in the comments. This was so well done and is a testiment to how eloquently you come across discussing whatever subject you dive into. Plus it was a lot of fun! And yes, the use of baby as a "pet name" and used in the sexual context is really fucked up. But then, so is a lot of other go to terms.
Thank you so much, Catherine! I’m so happy you enjoyed the video! I think calling someone “baby” is fine, but it really becomes… not fine the more you think about it. 😂
Well, I spoiled almost nothing about the actual contents of the book, so I’d say it’s up to whether you like to go into books with some analytic context, or with a fresh mind!
This was a trap to finally get me to read Steinbeck. Truly fascinating. Seeing the line as it is in this cover it is immediately shocking. But when it's introduced as a line in 'Book of Mormon' it comes to represents absurdism and that made millions on Broadway. In my brain it can still only exist as absurdity, even though I know full the horrific reality in which we live in. This video was incredibly interesting and intelligent.
I wonder what Steinbeck would think if he was around to see where his prose ended up? I think the title can definitely be taken as just incredibly absurd, but that absurdity is part of its abject power. I think by laughing we disarm it of its unsettling and very real implication, perhaps jettison it to a part of our mind that is in some form of denial. I mean, as you saw in this video, the title kept making me laugh. 😂 Thank you so much for watching, Andrew! I really appreciate it!
Well done, well done. Now add to this philosophy the fact I found it on Amazon, as proudly displayed as any other book. And one of their cheapest. And it arrived fairly quickly too. So they wanted to sell it, get it into my hands, and yet... Look at all the other books they are taking away. On their face nothing up to this.
"what did you see when you closed your eyes?" Easy , I have aphantasia, so I saw what I always see, the only thing I can see with my eyes closed--blackness.
Some of us have a condition called "Aphantasia", which means that consciously, we literally cannot imagine anything. It is estimated that only 2% of the world's population have it (I suspect more, but what do I know...)
I would suspect more as well, because even in my tiny comment section, there’s been three others who have said they have it, so it seems at least more common than 2%. I say that it is awesome that you get to experience art in such a unique way, and it may definitely help with literature of this kind…
I am not a native english speaker, so when i tried to read this book, i just didn't get a lot of the aspects, like the semiotics one. But your explaining is so good that i just understood
You really should be a teacher...but, I guess you are, in a way. I'm fairly new to your channel but have wondered if you have tried your hand at writing and/or publishing anything (if you have, please forgive my ignorance). You have such a profound grasp on the English language. I know that is not the only ingredient required to be an author, but you seem to be someone who knows what they like and could tackle such a project. Just curious. It would be cool, though. Peace, brother. Keep up the great work!
Oh wow, thank you so much for such kind and supportive words, Josh! I’m actually currently trying to get a short story collection together. I’m really hoping to get it out within 2022. So stay tuned! I was working towards a doctorate in literature, but had to withdraw due to mental health reasons. I say this without an ounce of sacasm: Booktube has honestly been a hundred times more rewarding. Seriously, thank you so much for such kind words, friend!
Juan, I feel like I’m back in school when I watch you. And that’s a good thing-I loved school! I’m really glad I found your channel, despite wanting to barf at some of the content you address. Here (again) you manage to cover some truly wild shit with tact and a critical eye. Thanks for taking one for the team here, although I hope it doesn’t do too much of a number on your mental health. 10/10 would sign up for a class of yours in a heartbeat.
Thank you so much, Caitlin! I really appreciate the kind words. I think part of my mission statement is sort of unmasking these kinds of texts and showcase them as approachable and digestible, however difficult it might be at times. My mental health is not at its best, but it has nothing to do with books. 😂 If you watch all my videos, you get a certificate!
Hi, there, and welcome to the channel! Thanks for the support! I did have a server once upon a time, but was AWFUL at managing/moderating it, so I had to let it go. 😔
How do you feel your experience as a gay, brown man has informed your perception of transgressive literature? Do you think that your identity of "otherness" (for lack of a better term) drives, or at least at some point drove, you towards non-mainstream forms of entertainment and more specifically towards things that are extreme and taboo?
I called the cops, and they have the little one in custody now: no f*cks given. Thanks for the thoughtful analysis. I am fascinated by the concept of the unreliable narrator. Whenever you read a story, almost everything that transpires in that story is 'true' from the writer's perspective and conveyed to the reader. In fact, you can say that both the writer and reader enter into an agreement in which both sides agree that what is consumed is true, and when it turns out to be untrue, you hear the cry wolf.
A lot of sickos on the internet are going to be very disappointed with this video. It is an excellent explanation of semiotics, though. Thanks to this video I can imagine a lot of police officers who monitor the dark web noticing a strange trend towards conversations about poststructuralism on certain chatrooms.
@@PlaguedbyVisions well its not one I watch daily or anything. I don’t care for Salo but I have the Criterion Collection copy. I won’t go out of my way to “protect” disturbing films from criticism. Just the nature of collecting disturbing films. Very few of these films are likable. But I still want to watch each one & see what people have made. The Elephant Man, amazing film. But humans and their ways make it extremely unlikable. Hard to watch. More so than the Elephant man makeup effects. The body horror effects are a work of art.
