The Necromancer; or, The Tale of the Black Forest [Paperback]

Karl Friedrich Kahlert (Author), Jeffrey D. Cass (Editor), Peter Teuthold (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2007

"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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Valancourt Books (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979233224
• ISBN-13: 978-0979233227
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,198,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Scullduggery aplenty, October 26, 2010

By 

Patto (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Necromancer; or, The Tale of the Black Forest (Paperback)

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.