Empusium - Moé for Solarpunk Books

English language

Published 2024 by Diversified Publishing.

ISBN:: 978-0-593-94922-1

(1 review)

In September 1913, Mieczysław, a student suffering from tuberculosis, arrives at Wilhelm Opitz’s Guesthouse for Gentlemen, a health resort in what is now western Poland. Every day, its residents gather in the dining room to imbibe the hallucinogenic local liqueur, to obsess over money and status, and to discuss the great issues of the Will there be war? Monarchy or democracy? Do devils exist? Are women inherently inferior?

Meanwhile, disturbing things are beginning to happen in the guesthouse and its surroundings. As stories of shocking events in the surrounding highlands reach the men, a sense of dread builds. Someone--or something--seems to be watching them and attempting to infiltrate their world. Little does Mieczysław realize, as he attempts to unravel both the truths within himself and the mystery of the sinister forces beyond, that they have already chosen their next target.

A century after the publication of The Magic Mountain, Tokarczuk …

In September 1913, Mieczysław, a student suffering from tuberculosis, arrives at Wilhelm Opitz’s Guesthouse for Gentlemen, a health resort in what is now western Poland. Every day, its residents gather in the dining room to imbibe the hallucinogenic local liqueur, to obsess over money and status, and to discuss the great issues of the Will there be war? Monarchy or democracy? Do devils exist? Are women inherently inferior?

Meanwhile, disturbing things are beginning to happen in the guesthouse and its surroundings. As stories of shocking events in the surrounding highlands reach the men, a sense of dread builds. Someone--or something--seems to be watching them and attempting to infiltrate their world. Little does Mieczysław realize, as he attempts to unravel both the truths within himself and the mystery of the sinister forces beyond, that they have already chosen their next target.

A century after the publication of The Magic Mountain, Tokarczuk revisits Thomas Mann territory and lays claim to it, blending horror story, comedy, folklore, and feminist parable with brilliant storytelling.

3 editions

nerd teacher [books] reviewed The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk

Not bad, though very slow.

3 stars

This book is very much a slow burn, and it kind of needs to be in order for the "twist" to make sense. In order to prompt the reader to ask the questions they need to be asking, they really have to follow Mieczysław's thoughts, experiences, and memories.

There is a horror story somewhere, but it's not... very horrific? It kind of feels tacked on in places. It is choreographed, but I think its existence within the story doesn't do much of anything. If anything, it's a very quick catalyst that prompts Mieczysław to live in the way they want. But anything could've been that catalyst, not the horror story that sometimes feels like it's... not even there.

I think if the horror story was utilised better or wasn't there at all, I would've liked this more.