NEW BOOK (forthcoming from Hippocampus): David Park Barnitz's "Book of Jade"

[mikeabo123]

The Book of Jade by David Park Barnitz : Hippocampus Press, specializes in classic horror and science fiction

Dear Ligotti aficionados:

I am currently at work on a new edition of Park Barnitz's legendary (and mostly obscure) Book of Jade, a volume of unrelentingly morbid and nihilistic verse that CAS, HPL and co. were very fond of. Written when Barnitz was still a student at Harvard, and published shortly before his death in 1901 when he was in his early 20s, the Book of Jade has remained un-reprinted save for one edition, now prohibitively expensive and nearly as rare as the original, by David Tibet's Durtro Press (for which Ligotti wrote a brief afterword).

This volume will include newly-discovered essays by Barnitz, contemporary reviews of the BOJ, and a selection of critical essays that touch on everything from DPB's excoriation of Rudyard Kipling to his relationship with Hegelianism and pessimistic philosophy.

I am actively seeking new submissions of a scholarly bent concerning any facet of DPB's poetry or life. Interested parties are free to e-mail me with proposals for essays of any length.

Thank you!

Yours sincerely,
Michael Abolafia

[MadsPLP]

Quote Originally Posted by mikeabo123

[...] the Book of Jade has remained un-reprinted save for one edition, now prohibitively expensive and nearly as rare as the original, by David Tibet's Coptic Cat Press (for which Ligotti wrote a brief afterword).

A tiny correction: It was published by the Durtro Press imprint by Tibet, not Coptic Cat.

Excellent news - I only own the Durtro edition, and I'd like to see the extra material in this one.

[mikeabo123]

Thanks for that! I get them mixed up sometimes.

David Tibet mentioned me on his blog, here: Coptic Cat | Count Stenbock: ‘The Collected Works’

I've helped him with some research concerning Count Stenbock -- I actually discovered a new previously unpublished poem, which should, hopefully, be in the forthcoming edition of his Collected Works.

Quote Originally Posted by MadsPLP

Quote Originally Posted by mikeabo123 [...] the Book of Jade has remained un-reprinted save for one edition, now prohibitively expensive and nearly as rare as the original, by David Tibet's Coptic Cat Press (for which Ligotti wrote a brief afterword). A tiny correction: It was published by the Durtro Press imprint by Tibet, not Coptic Cat. Excellent news - I only own the Durtro edition, and I'd like to see the extra material in this one.

[MadsPLP]

Quote Originally Posted by mikeabo123

Thanks for that! I get them mixed up sometimes. David Tibet mentioned me on his blog, here: Coptic Cat | Count Stenbock: ‘The Collected Works’ I've helped him with some research concerning Count Stenbock -- I actually discovered a new previously unpublished poem, which should, hopefully, be in the forthcoming edition of his Collected Works. Quote Originally Posted by MadsPLP Quote Originally Posted by mikeabo123 [...] the Book of Jade has remained un-reprinted save for one edition, now prohibitively expensive and nearly as rare as the original, by David Tibet's Coptic Cat Press (for which Ligotti wrote a brief afterword). A tiny correction: It was published by the Durtro Press imprint by Tibet, not Coptic Cat. Excellent news - I only own the Durtro edition, and I'd like to see the extra material in this one.

Ah! I knew I knew your name, but couldn't quite remember from where.

[Doctor Dugald Eldritch]

The Hippocampus Press edition of The Book of Jade sees release in May this year. I have patiently been awaiting the reprint of this fine collection of morbid, cynical verse since it was first announced in August. The Book of Jade web-site is also recommended reading.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct...gnPpqCvDADWbEg

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct...BMDeHBkZrxGkvw

[mikeabo123]

I'm elated to hear that there's a genuine interest in this thing, which I've been working on for a little over two years now.

Some of the new, previously un-reprinted material, which I dredged up out of the archives, includes: a book review of a textbook on mental instability by Barnitz; an essay Barnitz wrote that excoriates Rudyard Kipling; dozens of contemporary reviews of the BOJ (some of them hilariously contemptuous); a George Sterling letter that discusses Barnitz; and some early criticism of the Book of Jade by leftist writer Floyd Dell and journalist Carey McWilliams.

Thank you all for your continued support. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

-M. Abolafia

[Ascrobius]

Just got my copy, and I must say, after looking through it for a bit last night, I am really happy to finally have a copy of this notorious tome. And all the bonus materials that come with it are just icing on the cake. And, it's a lovely TPB by HP, to boot. Excellent get for 20$.