Fritz von Herzmanovsky-Orlando (1877–1954)

I've wanted to read more by this elusive writer since coming across his 'Signor Scurri, or Herr von Yb's Strange Voyage to the Seaside' in The Dedalus Book of Austrian Fantasy, and recently turned up this 1997 Ariadne translation of his first novel. It's a fantastical and grotesque satire of early 19th century Austria - the nearest approximations to the style in English would be somewhere between Ronald Firbank and Mervyn Peake. Fritz was independently wealthy, and this preposterous tale of a civil servant obsessively pursuing a glamorous diva was, like all of his work, written and illustrated entirely for his own amusement.

The original German title is "Der Gaulschrek im Rosennetz". I'm indebted to librarything member LolaWalser for the information that this translates literally as "Horse-terrorist in a web of roses". Flowers are featured, and the hero certainly frightens a lot of horses in the aftermath of a disastrous fancy-dress ball. The book is packed with strange characters and bizarre anecdotes; interestingly, the translator's afterword says that research has shown that most of these turn out to be bits of authentic historical detail lovingly collected by the author. The afterword also expresses the hope that this Ariadne edition will create an incentive for further translations, which sadly haven't yet materialised. "Tragic Demise" forms the first part of a trilogy. I'd love to be able to read the other two volumes someday.… (altro)