The White Dominican (Dedalus European Classics) [Paperback]

Gustav Meyrink (Author), Michael Mitchell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dedalus European Classics | Publication Date: June 1994

The White Dominican is Gustav Meyrink's most esoteric novel, and draws on the wisdom of a number of mystical traditions, the most important of which is Tao. It is set in a mystical version of the Bavarian town of Wasserburg, which sits on a promontory surrounded on three sides by the River Inn. The novel describes the spiritual journey of the simple hero, who, guided by a number of figures, escapes the 'Medusa's head' of the world to a transfiguration, through which he joins the 'living chain' that stretches to infinity. -- This is the novel which has been eagerly awaited by those who see Meyrink as not just a novelist, but as a mystic visionary who can tell them what lies on the Other Side.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 165 pages
• Publisher: Dedalus Ltd (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1873982550
• ISBN-13: 978-1873982556
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mystery of interior space., April 20, 2000

By 

A. C. Walter "awalter" (Lynnwood, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The White Dominican (Paperback)

"The White Dominican" shows Gustav Meyrink indulging his talent for arcane abstraction, tracing the mysteries of the soul's interior space.
The story follows Christopher Dovecote on his way to a pre-ordained destiny of final enlightenment. Christopher is rescued as a boy from an orphanage by Baron Bartholomew von Jocher when the Baron learns Christopher is a natural mystic, able to take his body into the country of dreams as he sleeps.
The Baron is a Freemason and a free-thinker. He lets Christopher develop along his own path, offering only the occasional piece of advice voiced as Taoist paradox.
As Christopher matures, he finds and looses love, faces the dark side of himself, and finally learns that his soul has a secret history and a destiny to fulfill which is beyond anything he could ever have imagined.
"The White Dominican", though fairly a short novel, is not an easy read the first time through. It is not at all about linear plot or even about character development. Meyrink said he wrote his novels "according to the laws of magic"--and this one perhaps most of all. The beginning of the novel shows the strong influence of Dickens (whom Meyrink translated into German), but after the first few chapters Meyrink has built the story into something entirely unique.

4.0 out of 5 stars Collective Unconsious - Family Style, May 28, 2011

By 

Christopher J Meyer - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The White Dominican (Dedalus European Classics) (Paperback)

Compelling dynamic of larger than life (literally) familial rooting and blooming that serves to explore the genetic/evolutionary strain of a particular family's mental muscle memory. Loaded with symbolism, verging on overload. Spiritual, mystical, and very, very human story about a boy finding his place in several worlds at once through love, conversations with spectres, and, of course, conflict with authority. I learned of the book through Carl Jung's references.