THE TENANT by Roland Topor with Introduction by Ligotti

[Dr. Bantham]

A new presentation of THE TENANT by

Roland Topor

Roland_Topor

is to be released in October.

This book has Topor's original novel, a new introduction by Thomas Ligotti, a selection of short stories by Topor, a healthy representation of Topor's artwork, and an essay on the famous Roman Polanski film version. We are working on the possibility of having Mr Polanski write a new foreword to this edition.
-Millipede Press

Tom's introduction clocks in at 3500 words and concerns the affirmative themes of world-renowned authors, focusing on Luigi Pirandello, with the negationist themes of Roland Topor's THE TENANT.

Many thanks to both Jerad Walters and Tom for the details provided.

[barrywood]

Sounds like another unique, wonderful item.

[bendk]

I was going to write a post about Roland Topor somewhere down the line, but I just got too busy (or lazy). TL introduced me to this writer in the interview "The Language of Dread" he did with Stefan Dziemianowitz and Michael A. Morrison for the Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review Annual 1990.* TL stated:

"The comic and the cruel are masterfully mixed in the work of a number of authors I admire, preeminently Roland Topor and Nickolai Gogol. Gogol's "comic" stories are all quite grim, and Topor's are as sick as underground comics."

Although I had seen the Polanski film in the late 70s, I never knew what it was based on. I originally thought the film was bizarre and filled with some interesting surreal images, but that's about it. It didn't leave a big impression on me. I have watched it again since reading the novel, and I like it a little more. The novel has a great deal of interior monologue that I think would be difficult to translate into film. I like the movie, but I think the novel is much better. I have read three books by Roland Topor: The Tenant, Joko's Anniversary, and Stories and Drawings. TL didn't mention the novels in the interview and I did not know if he had read them or not. Both novels are short. Joko's Anniversary is hilarious and completely off the wall. It is like nothing I have ever read before. Stories and Drawings was highly unusual too and difficult for me to find. I ordered it through abebooks.com but had to order it from a bookseller in France. It cost about $50, which is pricey for me. I bought it because I enjoyed the other two books so much. The Tenant is my favorite. I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes Kafka. It is easily one of the best Kafkaesque novels that I have read...well, at least for two thirds of it, then it goes completely Topor. Despite his negative themes, I think Topor is very funny. But that doesn't stop him from being grotesque and sometimes downright gruesome.

As for Gogol, I read his novel Dead Souls before I read TL. I agree with him, Gogol is great. The only other stories I have read by Gogol are "The Nose" and "Diary of a Madman." I know have a collection of his stories somewhere...

I have never read anything by Luigi Pirandello, but I have seen a biography/documentary on him from my local library. I can't remember if TL has ever mentioned him in an interview before or not.

I look forward to TL's introduction and his take on this very entertaining writer. Thanks for keeping us informed, Dr. B.


* In Douglas A. Anderson's outstanding Ligotti Bibliography, it lists this interview in the Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review Annual (1991). To clarify, it is in the 1990 Annual that was printed in 1991.

[unknown]

never heard of the book or the movie...hm! will have to check it out

[The New Nonsense]

This book is now available for pre-order here:

http://shocklines.stores.yahoo.net/tebyrotobhal.html


There is going to be a limited edition hardcover of 300 copies signed by Ligotti. Get 'em before they're gone!

[Dr. Zirk]

The book looks great - got my copy from Shocklines yesterday. A really nice printing job, and TL's introduction is quite thought-provoking. His theme of insider versus outsider approaches to writing horror fiction (defined very broadly) is fascinating, and a shameless plug for E. M. Cioran is certainly welcome in any context!

In any case, a really nice job by the Millipede Press...

[waffles]

I just got mine last week. Wow! What a piece of eye-candy (but nutritious too). Perhaps Millipede Press can become the next Arkham House.

[bendk]

I just got my copy #45 today. It is very nice book. TL's essay is great! I'll have to inflict TLOers with a few posts about this one. I am in intellectual ragpicker* heaven.

*Chapter 13 The Tenant

[Malone]

I just received my copy this morning.Ligotti's introductory essay is excellent,and gives Camus a nice kicking.Pray to the non-existent god that The Conspiracy Against the Human Race appears someday,if this iintroduction is anything to go by.

[Ascrobius]

It will definitely appear. Don't worry about that.

Hope spings eternal...