Fantazius Mallare: A Mysterious Oath (Illustrated Edition) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Riveting Tale of Madness, Sex, Hallucination& Dark FantasyBy Ben Hecht
Length4h 28m
About this audiobook
Fantazius Mallare: A Mysterious Oath is a feverish descent into the consciousness of an artist who rejects ordinary morality, social fellowship, and even sanity itself. Written in a lush, aphoristic, often grotesque prose, the book belongs to the decadent and early modernist tradition, recalling Huysmans, Lautréamont, and the darker Symbolists while anticipating the psychological extremities of twentieth-century anti-realism. Its illustrated edition, associated with Wallace Smith's disturbing visual imagination, intensifies the work's atmosphere of eroticism, blasphemy, and metaphysical revolt. Ben Hecht, later famous as a journalist, playwright, screenwriter, and architect of hard-boiled American wit, wrote this strange early work before Hollywood claimed him. His experience in Chicago newspaper life exposed him to urban spectacle, corruption, violence, and theatrical self-invention, all of which inform Mallare's savage intelligence. The novel reveals Hecht testing the limits of language and respectability, turning youthful iconoclasm into a deliberately scandalous artistic creed. This book is recommended for readers interested in literary transgression, modernist experiment, and the aesthetics of decadence. It is not a comfortable novel, but it is a striking one: ornate, deranged, and intellectually provocative.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreMystery and Thriller, Horror
Length4 hrs 28 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateOct 15, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
10Chapter IV.
2Introduction
11Chapter V.
3Synopsis
12Chapter VI.
4Historical Context
13Chapter VII.
5Author Biography
14Chapter VIII.
Show all chaptersShow less
6Dedication
15Chapter IX.
7Chapter I.
16Analysis
8Chapter II.
17Reflection
9Chapter III.
18Memorable Quotes
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