Mass Literature as a Space for Cultural Reflection: Andriy Kokotyukha in the Contemporary Literary Process

Abstract

In the contemporary Ukrainian cultural sphere, popular literature occupies an increasingly prominent position, serving not only to satisfy the demands of mass reader but also as a medium for interpreting social, historical, and national processes. Within this context, the work of Andriy Kokotyukha offers a unique example of combining genre-driven appeal with profound socio-cultural content, which requires thorough scholarly analysis. Examining mass-market prose as a significant segment of the literary process broadens our understanding of the mechanisms behind the formation of collective identity and the construction of national memory. The aim of this article is to undertake a comprehensive study of Kokotyukha’s works within the framework of contemporary Ukrainian popular literature, with particular attention to its genre and thematic characteristics, social, historical, and national dimensions, as well as to assess the influence of his popular prose on shaping the modern image of Ukrainian mass culture. The methodological foundation of the research draws on cultural studies, literary analysis, and comparative approaches. The findings demonstrate that, in the Ukrainian context, mass literature fulfils an important cultural function, acting as a conduit for the transmission of socially significant meanings and national values. Analysis of Kokotyukha’s works identifies his principal genre orientations – the crime novel, the historical detective, and the social thriller – and reveals thematic concerns that encompass social conflicts, historical traumas, and moral dilemmas. His prose intertwines contemporary social, historical, and national issues, positioning it as a distinctive instrument of cultural reflection within the popular literary sphere. The article also evaluates Kokotyukha’s contribution to shaping a new model of Ukrainian mass culture – one that merges accessibility with intellectual and ideological depth.