A light-hearted, filthy-minded romantic-comedy style look at the impact of accessibility to adult content with a secular twist.
Feature image credit: Allen & Unwin
As a truly entrenched internet generation, we are all aware of the positive and negative aspects and impacts of the accessibility of web-based content. At the core of Felicia Berliner’s debut novel, Shmutz, lies one of the pre-eminent negatives: the proliferation and ease of access to internet pornography.
In case you’ve never heard the word – or have heard it but not investigated it – it has a two-fold, similar meaning: dirt, a stain or filth (particularly on clothing or material); or something lewd or profane (against religious type). In the context of this novel, both are utilised effectively.
Raizl is the youngest daughter of Hasidic Jews, granted by consultation under Jewish Law access to both a computer outside of the workplace, as well as unrestricted internet access. She is also coming of age to marry and, following her brother’s failure to find a wife, is expected to be betrothed without question. It sounds straightforward, but it is far from it.
Exposure to the internet has led to Raizl’s discovery of the sexual treasure trove that the internet provides, through its seemingly unlimited catalogue of pornography. As she wades deeper into the mire, she begins to question her ability to be a good wife, as what is expected of her traditionally defies what excites her artificially. It also impacts on her ability to focus on her studies, as she discovers the many facets on her blossoming sexual identity.
Shmutz follows Raizl down the rabbit hole of internet addiction, whilst navigating the real world of non-secular university life and the possibility of her goth alignment. Visits to her therapist to curb her addiction leads her to more questions than answers, and the arranged meetings to find her future husband are fraught with vivid imaginings.
All this is wrapped in a Hasidic Jewish homelife, complete with linguistic accuracy and understanding of the conservative nature of the faith, making for a rush of euphoric feeling in multiple directions. It even supplies a compendium of translations, which are not essential but welcome.
It has been said that “Hollywood has done for women, what porn has done for men” – but Berliner turns that gender specificity on its head, within a setting usually reserved purely for external observation of religious observance. Even the book’s cover hints, playfully, at the duality of its content and the sweet possibilities within.
Reviewed by Glen Christie
This review is the opinion of the reviewer and not necessarily of Glam Adelaide.
Distributed by: Allen & Unwin
Released: November 2022
RRP: $32.99
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