In a cultural context increasingly marked by haste, productivity and capitalist demands, reading novels seems to have taken a back seat, especially among heterosexual men. While self-help books, biographies and non-fiction occupy the shelves, the novel, that literary form that invites introspection, empathy and reflection, seems a luxury few indulge in. But why has literary narrative fallen so far off the male radar – is it just a matter of time, or is something deeper at play?
Today’s society, intoxicated by the idea of absolute efficiency, sees reading as potentially inefficient. In a landscape where every minute counts, time invested in a novel, which does not promise a tangible or immediate return, is perceived as a ‘waste’. The productivity narrative, fuelled by hustle culture, has shaped a mindset where anything that cannot be converted into something quantifiable is seen as expendable. In this context, immersing oneself in a novel becomes an almost subversive attitude.
The cult of productivity: Time is money
Today’s society, intoxicated by the idea of absolute efficiency, sees reading as potentially inefficient. In a landscape where every minute counts, time invested in a novel, which does not promise a tangible or immediate return, is perceived as a ‘waste’. The productivity narrative, fuelled by hustle culture, has shaped a mindset where anything that cannot be converted into something quantifiable is seen as expendable. In this context, immersing yourself in a novel – without the promise of increasing your income, raising your status or improving your productivity – becomes almost subversive.
Masculinity and the tyranny of utility
The relationship between men and fiction is rooted in a history of gender divisions that continue to set the tone. Since the 19th century, the novel has been considered a culturally feminine space. In a society that relegated women to the private sphere, literature became their refuge, a terrain where they could explore emotions and fantasies. Men, on the other hand, were pushed into a public, action-oriented and productive existence. This cultural legacy lives on today: men tend to gravitate towards activities that promise visible, measurable results, while fiction, with its emotional exploration and leisurely pace, is perceived as a luxury they cannot do without.
In modern times, where the crisis of masculinity is primarily articulated around the need to be successful, competitive and productive, the novel is seen as a threat to that model. Figures of ‘self-improvement’ – preaching self-optimisation to the last minute of the day – rarely promote the introspective reflection that characterises fiction literature. In contrast, the consumption of non-fiction books, those that promise quick recipes for success, conforms more to the dominant narrative of ‘do more, be more’.
Education and the male reading model
From a young age, men are steered towards other forms of entertainment that do not involve reading fiction. In an education system where book clubs are dominated by girls, and where the figure of the male reader remains a rarity, young men turn away from fiction literature. Men rarely have male reading role models to inspire them, and those who do approach literature tend to gravitate towards books that offer practical tools for life, rather than immersing themselves in fictional worlds.
Young adult literature, in particular, has become completely dominated by the universe of teenage girls, with sagas and genres such as fantasy or romance aimed almost exclusively at them. This reinforces a notion that fiction is a domain reserved for women, while men should focus on ‘serious stuff’ that ultimately aligns with the social and economic reward system.
fiction: a refuge for reflection and empathy
Despite all this, the novel remains one of the most powerful tools for building empathy, reflection and self-knowledge. Through fiction, readers are forced to explore other people’s perspectives, to put themselves in the shoes of characters with radically different lives. This exercise, which promotes introspection and emotional connection, is far from ‘unnecessary’. Reading novels is not just an escape: it is a profound act of reflection on the human condition. While the rest of the world pushes you to be more, do more and produce more, fiction invites you to simply be, to feel and to question.
Fiction’s ability to cultivate empathy is one of its most valuable qualities. In a cultural moment where masculinity is trapped in its own box, reading novels can offer a way out, a way to explore new ways of being a man, away from the norms of toughness, competitiveness and absolute rationality. Through literature, men can learn to deal with their emotions, to be vulnerable, to question themselves without fear of judgement.
Can the novel reconstruct masculinity?
The answer, though not definitive, is yes. In reading a novel, men can find a way to challenge the rigid constructs of contemporary masculinity. By allowing them to feel vulnerable, reflective and open, fiction can offer a space for personal growth that today’s culture has tried to eliminate. Far from being a waste of time, reading becomes an investment in the emotional and mental health of those willing to explore human complexity.
The novel offers something that the cult of productivity cannot: a respite from the constant pressure to be more, to do more, to always be on the move. Fiction not only allows you to be part of imaginary worlds, but helps you understand your own in a deeper way. And in a context where masculinity feels increasingly trapped in its own crisis, this could be the key to opening new doors to a more complete and complex version of what it means to be a man.
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