Folio Archives 383: The Golem by Gustav Meyrink. 2010

The Golem by Gustav Meyrink. 2010

In Jewish folklore, the Golem is a clay human figure that, under certain esoteric circumstances, comes to life and causes chaos.

Set in Prague’s Jewish ghetto and written in 1913, Meyrink’s book is a dream-like fantasy while being a horror story at the same time. The main character is Athanasius Pernath, a talented and respected gem-engraver who unwillingly passes from one nightmarish scenario to another at the behest of shadowy powers, unknowable bureaucracy and individuals with covert agendas. The actual Golem plays only a minor direct role in the story, but always seems to be in the background.

The story is intriguingly readable, and totally different to any other novel you are likely to read. It leaves you with a feeling of unreality.

The Folio Society edition is translated by Mike Mitchell and introduced by Iain Sinclair. There are ten monochrome illustrations by Vladimir Zimakov, it has red endpapers and is three-quarter bound in black cloth, with a paper cover blocked in red and cream with a picture. The book has xvi+237 pages and the black slipcase measures 23.5x5.8cm.















































An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.

Nice! I want this.

>1 wcarter: I have it, read it and enjoyed it — recommended!

A classic "standard" edition and, as you say, an intriguing and atmospheric book.
My copy has been read at least three times and the supposedly inferior paper binding is as good as the day it arrived.

Impressive illustrations.

I always felt the 2008 Dracula matched the 2010 Golem in the 3-colour scheme used on the covers and similarly dark storyline; almost pointing to a common design team. The X-Files had an episode (Season 4, Episode 15) titled Kaddish dealing with a golem.

>4 ian_curtin: i’m currently re-reading The Golem. The first time was the Folio Society edition. This time it is the lovely volume from Black Letter Press.

>8 Atheistic: BLP have an ongoing Summer Sale with upto 40% off all titles.

>8 Atheistic: How would you compare those two? I am thinking about obtaining a copy

>10 drizzled: i love them both. The Folio Society editions has illustrations which the BLP edition does not. Also the BPL is tiny but to me that is s part of its attraction. Otherwise they are both impressive.

>1 wcarter: Thank you Warwick, this is a wonderful edition. Superb illustrations, perfectly fitted to the story, really Folio at their best.

>11 Ragnaroekk: >12 Atheistic: Thank you:)

That motif of The Hanged Man from the Tarot deck is certainly suggestive, albeit with significant changes in design (a rope not a tree). Not having read the story, I can only assume it relevant to the protagonist's experiences.

>Might be the inspiration for the beginning of the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay?