The Necromancer; or, The Tale of the Black Forest
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"The hurricane was howling, the hailstones beating against windows, the hoarse croaking of the raven bidding adieu to autumn, and the weather-cock's dismal creaking joined with the mournful dirge of the solitary owl..."
The Necromancer consists of a series of interconnected stories, all centering on the enigmatic figure of Volkert the Necromancer. Filled with murder, ghosts, and dark magic, and featuring a delirious and dizzying plot that almost defies comprehension, The Necromancer is one of the strangest horror novels ever written.
One of the earliest Gothic bestsellers, The Necromancer was first published in 1794, and after more than two centuries still retains the power to thrill and fascinate readers. This edition includes a new preface which reveals for the first time ever the true identity of The Necromancer's author, as well as an original critical essay by Jeffrey Cass, analysing the novel from a modern queer theory standpoint. The complete text of three contemporary reviews and helpful annotations are also included to further enhance this edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has never been out of print. You didn't know that did you? It's 2 hundred years old, is on no best-seller list, is not listed amongst the classics, and yet... and yet it's never been out of print. That's weird.
Well, in terms of content the winding narrative takes first, second, third, and other accounts of the goings on in the black forest and weaves them into lurid tales of haunted castles, distant curses, bandits, misfortune, wiles and repentance. Well, you might say 'lurid', but I think entertaining is a better description.
It's strangely involuntary, oddly compelling, utterly unbelievable and quite readable. The end is not satisfying, the explanations don't add up, that means it gets three stars, but it's better than that. it's one of those books you can buy, read, and happily add to your library sure you'll dip in again on a dark and stormy night, if only you can find a night that dark and stormy.
Well, in terms of content the winding narrative takes first, second, third, and other accounts of the goings on in the black forest and weaves them into lurid tales of haunted castles, distant curses, bandits, misfortune, wiles and repentance. Well, you might say 'lurid', but I think entertaining is a better description.
It's strangely involuntary, oddly compelling, utterly unbelievable and quite readable. The end is not satisfying, the explanations don't add up, that means it gets three stars, but it's better than that. it's one of those books you can buy, read, and happily add to your library sure you'll dip in again on a dark and stormy night, if only you can find a night that dark and stormy.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Scullduggery aplenty
27 Oct 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Unlike the other "horrid" novels satirized by Jane Austen in Northanger Abbey, The Necromancer has remained in print since its publication in 1794. The critics never approved of it. Here and there it becomes incoherent and it's awkwardly written, but something about the story continues to fascinate.
The book is mostly a translation from a German novel, which might explain the occasionally stilted and overwrought language. Readers in the late eighteenth century were crazy about German works, and both real and fake translations abounded. (My knowledge of all this comes from the informative introduction.)
The story begins with the reunion of two old friends, Herrman and Hellfried, who while catching up after decades of separation, discover they've had similar experiences involving a Necromancer. This mysterious old man subjected them both to amazing displays of lightning, thunder and loud lamentations while raising spirits. We learn more about the Necromancer from a variety of narrators. It's not always easy to keep track of who's speaking or what's transpiring! I'd find myself going back a page to get straightened out.
But there's plenty of action: wild doings in a haunted castle, a bizarre duel, near-fatal encounters with ferocious bandits and many other adventures, including plenty of skullduggery.
The introduction presents a convincing new theory on the identity of the author/translator. There's also an intriguing article following the intro by a modern critic who sees a homosocial and homophobic subtext in the novel. Another interesting subtext is political, concerned with the sociological roots of crime.
The Necromancer is not my favorite of the "horrid" novels. But it's one type of escapist reading popular in Jane Austen's time. Scholars and lovers of the period should find it interesting, as I did.
The book is mostly a translation from a German novel, which might explain the occasionally stilted and overwrought language. Readers in the late eighteenth century were crazy about German works, and both real and fake translations abounded. (My knowledge of all this comes from the informative introduction.)
The story begins with the reunion of two old friends, Herrman and Hellfried, who while catching up after decades of separation, discover they've had similar experiences involving a Necromancer. This mysterious old man subjected them both to amazing displays of lightning, thunder and loud lamentations while raising spirits. We learn more about the Necromancer from a variety of narrators. It's not always easy to keep track of who's speaking or what's transpiring! I'd find myself going back a page to get straightened out.
But there's plenty of action: wild doings in a haunted castle, a bizarre duel, near-fatal encounters with ferocious bandits and many other adventures, including plenty of skullduggery.
The introduction presents a convincing new theory on the identity of the author/translator. There's also an intriguing article following the intro by a modern critic who sees a homosocial and homophobic subtext in the novel. Another interesting subtext is political, concerned with the sociological roots of crime.
The Necromancer is not my favorite of the "horrid" novels. But it's one type of escapist reading popular in Jane Austen's time. Scholars and lovers of the period should find it interesting, as I did.
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