The Empusium is a Gothic tale set in a Central European health resort, blending feminist satire, humor, history, and the supernatural. The story is lightly plotted, focusing on theme and language, with a wry and enjoyable narrative that nods to Thomas Mann.
The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk is a Gothic tale set in a Central European health resort, where a tubercular student named Mieczyslaw Wojnicz stays at a guesthouse run by the sinister Wilhelm Opitz. The atmosphere becomes increasingly uncomfortable and mysterious as Mieczys's stay lengthens, with guests exhibiting eccentricities and engaging in arcane theories. The novel is lightly plotted, focusing on theme and language, and blends feminist satire, humor, history, and the supernatural. The action intensifies in the final third, but the wry and enjoyable narrative, expertly translated, makes it a compelling read. The story nods to Thomas Mann and offers a unique blend of genres.
Quick quotes
Whenever he lay down after boozing (promising himself not to drink so much of this demonic brew!), under his eyelids he saw flares, or figures that seemed to be made out of little mirrors reflecting each other and their surroundings from various angles, sending his vision into a truly agonizing frenzy. Another world was storming his body, trying to get inside his brain, by sending out flashes and illusions.
Although billed as a ‘horror story’ there are no jump scares here, and the book is lightly plotted, focusing on theme and language.
With nods to Thomas Mann, this is a wry and enjoyable novel, expertly translated and blending feminist satire, humour, history and the supernatural.