Ein imposantes Werk überwältigender Gelehrsamkeit – The Irish Times

“Grand Hotel Abyss: The Lives of the Frankfurt School” by Stuart Jeffries is a detailed and scholarly exploration of the Frankfurt School philosophers. Jeffries delves into the lives and ideas of key figures such as Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin, and Herbert Marcuse, tracing their intellectual development and impact on critical theory. The book reflects on the complexities and paradoxes of the Frankfurt School’s work and influence, highlighting their continuing relevance in today’s world.

Rather than taking an experimental approach, Jeffries presents a broadly chronological narrative, engaging with the thinkers’ ideas in a way that stays true to the Frankfurt School ethos. The book balances intellectual analysis with unexpected humor, shedding light on the personal lives of these towering intellectuals. Jeffries confronts discrepancies between theory and practice, revealing how figures like Marcuse led conventional lifestyles despite their radical ideas.

The Frankfurt School’s foundation at Goethe University in 1924 was not aimed at promoting revolution, but rather at analyzing its failures. The scholars shifted their focus to understanding the rise of Nazism and the postwar German psyche, critiquing capitalism as a superstructure that conceals its exploitative nature. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the institute developed critical theory as a means of dissecting and challenging the prevailing social order.

Adorno and Horkheimer rejected the Enlightenment ideals of reason as emancipation, arguing that it had become a tool of oppression. Adorno’s concept of negative dialectics and rejection of historical determinism paved the way for a more critical engagement with art and culture. While some, like Marcuse, retained hope for positive change through critical theory, others within the school embraced a more pessimistic worldview.

Jeffries skillfully navigates the complexities of the Frankfurt School’s legacy, highlighting both their intellectual contributions and personal idiosyncrasies. The book offers a nuanced portrait of a group of thinkers who grappled with the darkest aspects of modernity while seeking pathways to a brighter future. Through Jeffries’ meticulous research and engaging prose, “Grand Hotel Abyss” serves as a comprehensive exploration of the Frankfurt School’s enduring impact on critical thought.