BOOK REVIEWS

      I have dispensed with my 'Books of the Year' postings  which covered the years 2009 and 2010, and now attempt to review a selection of books that I have read both good and bad, in editions old and new. Much of what I buy is often based on suggestions by others, or some train of thought that makes me think "maybe I should try..." so they are not necessarily all strange/supernatural fiction.

       With many small press books costing around £35-£40 each, and some seemingly worthy tomes changing hands on the second hand market for many times that, these reviews may also give the potential purchaser some indication of what they might receive for their money. Needless to say, my opinions should not be given any great value as I bring my own foibles to every review and these may change at any time.

Daniel Corrick and Mark Samuels (edit)


'Sacrum Regnum'

Hieroglyphic Press 2012
pp124  £12.50 (incl p & p worldwide)

    'Sacrum Regnum' is the house magazine of Hieroglypic Press and like the press itself, has  a particular remit, namely an investigation into literature that is primarily, but not exclusively, Symbolist in nature. It also wishes to promote discussion of Continental writers and its debut editorial very rightly (if sadly) points out that great authors such as Pessoa and Leppin would rightly attain the stature we accord to the likes of Machen and Blackwood if only they were better known in the English speaking world.

     My own knowledge of European literature being somewhat lacking, the magazine provides an excellent launching pad to this territory, its centerpiece being a long essay by Daniel Corrick on the poet/playright/essayist Hugo Von Hofmannsthal (1874-1929) a writer influenced by d'Annuznio and Mallarmé and totally unknown to me. This includes a keen analysis of his works and a number of newly translated examples of his poetry and prose poems, the latter a form I get on with far better that 'straight' poetry per se. His 'Dreamdeath' and 'Remembrance' are certainly fine pieces of dreamy reverie which easily surpass the rather weaker d'Annuznio poems (translated by Brendan Connell) also found in this issue.

     If the above might seem a trifle too intimidating, there are articles on Meyrink, and Marry Butts, plus helpful reviews of Alexander Blok and Peter Bell by the likes of Mark Valentine and Colin Insole plus a list of forthcoming titles from the likes of publishers such as the excellent Twisted Spoon.

     Valentine and Insole together with D.P. Watt and Mark Samuels also contribute new works of fiction to this issue. I need hardly say here that virtually anything by any of this quartet is invariably great stuff. Perhaps Colin Insoles 'The Candles of Wildondorf' is the cream of the crop here- a melancholy tale semi-forgotten hopes and dreams re-awoken.

     Overall this is an extremely strong debut from a journal that deserves to succeed. It will inevitably draw comparisons with Tartarus' 'Wormwood' with its similar appearance, layout, and, indeed, overlapping contributors. On the basis of this issue it would seem that that they are complementary to each other rather than rivals which is very good news. Whether S.R. will be able to maintain its current distinctness is another matter, though its inclusion of new fiction is certainly welcome and almost worth its cost on that basis alone.

     I certainly recommend this magazine.

     'Sacrum Regnum' is here.