Mike Mitchell Knihy

Spolu s Hannsom Heinzom Ewersom a Karlom Hansom Stroblom vytvoril Gustav Meyrink počas Weimarskej republiky slávne "trojhviezdie" desivej fantastiky v Nemecku. Meyrinkove príbehy a romány si užívajú trvalú obľubu. V kľúčovom románe nemeckého expresionizmu sníva anonymný rozprávač o podivných udalostiach. Athanasius Pernath, gemmenschneider v židovskom gete v Prahe, sa zapletie do intríg a je prenasledovaný halucináciami. Skrze sprisahanie trhovca Aarona Wasserturma sa dostane pod podozrenie z vraždy a skončí vo väzení, kde stratí všetku nádej, až kým nie je nečakane prepustený a nezažije zničenie svojho geta. Pri hľadaní svojich priateľov sa nakoniec zrúti a prebudí sa, aby zistil, že nespal ani hodinu. Môžu byť všetky jeho zážitky len snom? Pernathova pátranie poskytuje indície, ktoré naznačujú opak. Hoci názov odkazuje na židovskú legendu, Golem je pre Meyrinka symbolom pražského židovského geta. Román ukazuje sklon k okultizmu, ktorý sa v neskorších dielach prehlbuje. Golem zostáva Meyrinkovým najznámejším románom.

Set in a boarding school in a remote area of the Habsburg Empire at the turn of the last century, The Confusions of Young Torless is an intense study of an adolescent's psychological development as he struggles to come to terms with his conflicting emotions. Through his relationship with two other boys Torless is led into sadistic and sexual encounters with a third pupil which both repel and fascinate him. Estranged from everyday life, Torless gradually learns to accept his experiences and describe them with analytical precision.

Set in an insane asylum, this second installment of the Studer mystery series revolves around the murder of the asylum's director. The story unfolds in a European classic style, blending suspense and psychological intrigue as the investigation reveals dark secrets hidden within the institution. The unique setting and complex characters contribute to a gripping narrative that explores themes of madness and morality.

Austrian writer Ingeborg Bachmann (1926-73) is a key figure in postwar German literature, known for her novels, poetry, and plays. Her War Diary is a collection of sketches rather than a traditional journal, reflecting the final months of World War II and the early British occupation of Austria. These powerful entries, remarkable for her young age, express her deep disdain for war and Nazism as she navigates the fervent nationalism in Klagenfurt. The British occupation introduces her to Jack Hamesh, a British officer and Jewish refugee from Vienna, who is surprised to meet an Austrian girl familiar with banned authors like Mann and Schnitzler. Their correspondence, particularly Hamesh's letters to Bachmann during his time in Israel in 1946, reveals his struggles with rootlessness after the war. War Diary offers a unique perspective on Bachmann's development as a writer and serves as a poignant reflection on life in post-war Austria. The insights from both Bachmann and Hamesh extend beyond their personal narratives, touching on broader themes of loss and recovery. The German edition has been praised for its critical commentary, highlighting the historical context and the emotional resonance of Bachmann's experiences.

Includes extracts from all of Meyink's novels and some of his short stories. Edited and translated by Mike Mitchell.