Paul Busson (1873–1924)

Busson's The Man Who Was Born Again is an easily overlooked gem, reminiscent of Simplicius Simplicissimus and prefiguring My First Two Thousand Years. The introduction to this Dover edition (by E. F. Bleiler) is also, dare I say, fantastic. It includes a good short bio of Meyrink and a brief account of Meyrink's circle of Austrian writers, including Busson and a German, Hans Heinz Ewers. Meyrink is a fascinating character. Busson is too.

This Dover edition reproduces some illustrations from earlier editions (by Hugo Steiner-Prag and Alfred Kubin) and includes photos of the Prague ghetto, Altenau Synagogue and the Jewish Community House. Also reproduced: a contemporary advertisement for The Golem and a short letter from Meyrink, in Meyrink's handwriting, offering to collaborate on a periodical with another writer.… (mere)