by deadwhitemale » October 10th, 2009, 2:11 pm
I read parts of Phantastes and Lilith years ago. I think I first read the chapter of Phantastes called "The Tale of Cosmo" in an anthology of short works of fantasy in 1989. In that book it was re-titled "The Woman In the Mirror." When I re-read parts of Phantastes online much more recently that was the part I looked for first, for it had left a strong impression on me. The other part of Phantastes I can recall fairly well is the part where the narrator discovers and kills a werewolf-like monster, and is himself killed in the act by the creature's worshippers, and in the next chapter he describes his own death and burial. This also made a strong impression.
Lilith I believe I first tried to read about 1989 or 1990. I think I just skipped around in it, but, as with Phantastes, certain parts and pieces of it stand out. Certain lines have stuck with me as well, such as "I could not sleep without my dead," and "Cut me off this hand, so that I may sleep," or something like that.
Unfortunately, my memory does not work as well as it used to. This is not the fault of the books. I should really re-read them both in a more disciplined, systematic way, from beginning to end.
DWM
"It is when we try to grapple with another man's intimate need that we perceive how incomprehensible, wavering, and misty are the beings that share with us the sight of the stars and the warmth of the sun." -- Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim(1899?)