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Rating: The sixth issue of Zothique is entirely dedicated to the figure of Gustav Meyrink, the Austrian writer, esotericist, and initiate author of the famous Der Golem. The issue is enriched by a contribution from Gianfranco De Turris entitled The Esoteric Fantasy of G. Meyrink. The Roman critic is undoubtedly a great "Meyrinkian" expert and, over time, has focused on his work through a series of essays. I particularly recall his introduction to The House of the Alchemist, an unfinished novel, in which he explained how there had been, by the so-called progressive Italian criticism, a work of "neutralization" towards authors like H.P. Lovecraft, Tolkien, and indeed Meyrink. Meyrink probably had the misfortune of being translated and introduced to the Italian public by the traditionalist philosopher Julius Evola, a name that still raises many issues for the proponents of "political correctness" as can be read in the introduction of the Bompiani reprint of The Golem. This explains the judgments of the Germanist Alberto Spaini and Claudio Magris who tend to minimize the esoteric aspect of his books. Or why Angelo Maria Ripellino defined him as a "mystical charlatan." Or why the Gattopardo Editions (later renamed La Bussola) removed the "Evolian" introductions and replaced them with those by Spartaco Proietti. The same technique was used by Bompiani, which replaced, for The Golem, that precious one by an intellectual like Elemire Zolla with a new and flat one by Ugo Volli. On the other hand, one cannot deny the interest of the radical right in Italy, the one most interested in esoteric themes, towards Meyrink, and this may discourage someone. The problem with this author is, especially concerning the novels, that his work cannot be separated from its esoteric substrate, failing which one would completely misunderstand the meaning of his creation or even find it indigestible.
In any case, this special issue of Zothique is an excellent guide for those who want to approach his narrative but, at the same time, is also an unmissable fetish for collectors. There are numerous photos and illustrations, among which I highlight those by Gino Carosini (also the author of the refined cover), the splendid ones by Hugo Steiner Prag for Der Golem, and the reproductions of the covers of his books. After the mentioned article by De Turris Matteo Mancini analyzes his short narrative with an excellent, thorough, and articulated contribution, although the title (Gustav Meyrink: from "mystical charlatan" to Master of the great Awakening") is perhaps a bit misleading. "Gustav Meyrink: the occult side of horror narrative" is, on the other hand, the work of the writer. I dwelled on the novels and talked about the musical group Il Segno del Comando by Diego Banchero, who provided an original interpretation of his interest (as a psychiatrist) in this writer. Regarding Der Golem we find here an essay by Angelo S. Rappoport translated by Pietro Guarriello that narrates the genesis of this legend. Marco Maculotti in The Doctrine of Awakening: the essays of Gustav Meyrink focuses on his essays, absolutely essential for understanding the author and his philosophy. These have been recently collected in the volume At the Frontiers of Beyond edited by Gianfranco De Turris and Andrea Scarabelli. Then we find 3 unpublished stories translated by Elsa Muller which do not fail to be grotesque in their irony, confirming the vein of the period when he wrote for the magazine Simplicissimus.
The last article (The Strange Death of Gustav Meyrink by Micheal Mitchell also translated by Guarriello — tireless curator of this magazine) is very moving and describes the death of Meyrink, who let himself die in an extreme exercise of yoga. The last years were very sad for him also due to the suicide of his son.
Zothique 6 - Magazine of Fantastic & Weird Culture – Dagon Press - Spring 2021 – Euro 14.50
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