Big Books of Spring
Là-Bas (Down There)

Questions About Là-Bas (Down There)

by Joris-Karl Huysmans

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Answered Questions (3)

In the critique you say Huysmans' description of the black mass is authentic. How can you know it is authentic? Is it based on Crowley or another alleged practitioner of the black arts?
Gordon This is a "back of the book" description which Dover, the publisher of this particular version of the book, accepted. Based on what I've read and unde…moreThis is a "back of the book" description which Dover, the publisher of this particular version of the book, accepted. Based on what I've read and understand, the descriptions in the book regarding black masses are authentic in that they describe what many people during the time believed (though, one can argue that some people still believe). I'd also add that this book is fiction, so it's about as credible as movies "based on true stories".(less)
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My question pertains to the translation. I have the above pictured Dover version. Is this a worthy translation? Is there a better, or definitive, translation I should read instead? Huysmans is known for his vocabulary, so I would like to read the best version.
Gordon You may have to do a bit of research on the translators and see how their works are regarded. I purchased the Penguin Classics version with Teresa Hal…moreYou may have to do a bit of research on the translators and see how their works are regarded. I purchased the Penguin Classics version with Teresa Hale as the translator and so far Teresa seems to have respected Huysmans' vocabulary in English.(less)
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Is there anything like this book? I've been looking for decadent, literary horror for years. The rest of the "movement" pales compared to this and Against Nature so I'm hoping that, if I get any answers, they won't just be books that any narrowly defined "decadent movement" list would already have. Any great, purple, literary horrors out there?
Gordon A good community of readers to ask this question would be the Horror Aficionados group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... I'm still in the proc…moreA good community of readers to ask this question would be the Horror Aficionados group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... I'm still in the process of reading this, but it does remind me a bit of https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...(less)
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