Tractatus Logico-Suicidalis: On Killing Oneself

Hermann Burger is a German language writer with a singular and haunting worldview. He wrote a 124-page manuscript entitled Tractatus Logico-Suicidalis, which advocated suicide. His work was published shortly before he took his own life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Wakefield Press

In the picturesque village of Göschenen, a mysterious disappearance took place. The man named Hermann Burger, residing in a hotel room, was suspected of committing suicide. However, what awaited discovery in his room was not a suicide note, but a remarkable 124-page manuscript titled "Tractatus Logico-Suicidalis." This extraordinary work consisted of 1,046 "thanatological" aphorisms, also known as "mortologisms," advocating for suicide. It delved into the profound study of death's dominance over life, encompassing traumatic experiences such as marital breakups, prolonged periods of depression, the dissolution of friendships, and the haunting shame of impotence. Yet, the aphoristic text presented a more intricate and complex narrative than a mere logical conclusion to life's trials.

Drawing inspiration from renowned thinkers like Wittgenstein, Cioran, and Bernhard, Burger's unsettling masterpiece would soon see the light of day. It was a testament to his intellectual prowess and his unwavering exploration of the human condition. Tragically, just as his work was about to be published, the author himself took his own life. Hermann Burger, born in 1942, was a Swiss writer, critic, and professor. His literary contributions were vast, encompassing four novels, numerous volumes of essays, short fiction, and poetry. It was with his novel "Schilten" that he gained widespread recognition, recounting the captivating story of a mad village schoolteacher who imparts the art of preparing for death to his unsuspecting students. As his life unfolded, he embarked on the autobiographical tetralogy "Brenner," which was hailed as one of the remarkable achievements of 20th-century German prose. In the final days of his existence, Burger tragically succumbed to an overdose, leaving behind a literary legacy that continues to resonate and inspire.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 203 x 137 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781939663887