Mill: A Cosmos

The Mill is a hallucinatory, rhythmic, and fragmented sequence of prose poems by Bess Brenck Kalischer, published in 1922. It is narrated by a woman in a sanitarium and explores literary satire, anguished dream states, and shifting subjectivities, shifting from pedestrian concerns to cosmic visions. It is considered as much Maldoror as Munchausen and is a radical experiment in psychic restoration. Brenck Kalischer was a German Expressionist poet who was born Betty Levy in 1878 and died in 1933.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 88 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2021
Publisher: Wakefield Press

The captivating English-language debut of an overlooked German Expressionist poet, Bess Brenck Kalischers sole work of prose, initially published in German in 1922, takes readers on a rhythmic, hallucinatory, and fragmented journey through prose poems. Narrated by a woman confined in a sanitarium following a mental breakdown, The Mill defies conventional novel conventions, evoking more a sense of a mill, a cosmic flower, a lyricism, and a romantic enchantment than a straightforward narrative.

As the story progresses, Kalischers narrator seamlessly transitions from mundane concerns to cosmic visions, exploring diverse settings such as a basement mushroom farm and the celestial realm of Sirius. Within this intricate tapestry, they weave together literary satire, anguished dream states, and shifting subjectivities, creating a profoundly experimental narrative that remains as daring and groundbreaking today as when it was first published a century ago.

Born Betty Levy in Rostock in 1878, Brenck Kalischer embarked on her poetic journey in 1905, gradually establishing herself as a prominent figure within the second generation of German Expressionists in Dresden. Alongside notable members like Conrad Felixmüller, she cofounded the Expressionist Working Group of Dresden, further solidifying her reputation as a key player in the artistic movement. Later relocating to Berlin, Brenck Kalischer became close friends with Salomo Friedlaender, also known as Mynona, who utilized her as a model for several stories and novels. Tragically, Brenck Kalischer succumbed to a "nervous disease" in 1933, leaving her grave without a headstone until 2014, when it was finally adorned with a fitting memorial.

Through Brenck Kalischers visionary prose, The Mill offers a profound exploration of the human psyche, delving into the depths of mental illness, the complexities of the human condition, and the boundless possibilities of artistic expression. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of German Expressionism and the remarkable talent of Brenck Kalischer, a poet whose work continues to inspire and captivate readers worldwide.

Weight: 104g
Dimension: 177 x 113 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781939663719