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Eros, magie și asasinarea profesorului Culianu
Editie romaneasca revazuta si adaugita.
Traducere de Cristina Felea. Prefata de Andrei Oisteanu.
„Volumul lui Ted Anton reprezinta reconstituirea detaliata a unei crime in jurul careia s-a facut multa publicitate, iar solutia sugerata de autor are semnificatie. Este totodata si o carte despre un mit si constituie o lectura fascinanta.” (Umberto Eco)
Ted Anton a studiat cartile si articolele savantului, i-a citit corespondenta, i-a consultat jurnalul intim, l-a auzit/vazut, inregistrat pe casete audio-video pentru a realiza imaginea complexa a lui Culianu, o imagine ce nu este realizata dintr-o singura perspectiva, cea a autorului, ci din zeci de perspective insumate... Ted Anton a incercat, de asemenea, sa dea un sens previziunilor si premonitiilor unui om cu o sensibilitate extra-senzoriala deosebita, nenumaratelor coincidente stranii si semnelor camuflate la tot pasul.
„Abia acest Culianu mi se pare mai autentic, mai interesant, mai viu si, in orice caz, mai uman decit o solemna statuie de marmura rece.” (Andrei Oisteanu)
Traducere de Cristina Felea. Prefata de Andrei Oisteanu.
„Volumul lui Ted Anton reprezinta reconstituirea detaliata a unei crime in jurul careia s-a facut multa publicitate, iar solutia sugerata de autor are semnificatie. Este totodata si o carte despre un mit si constituie o lectura fascinanta.” (Umberto Eco)
Ted Anton a studiat cartile si articolele savantului, i-a citit corespondenta, i-a consultat jurnalul intim, l-a auzit/vazut, inregistrat pe casete audio-video pentru a realiza imaginea complexa a lui Culianu, o imagine ce nu este realizata dintr-o singura perspectiva, cea a autorului, ci din zeci de perspective insumate... Ted Anton a incercat, de asemenea, sa dea un sens previziunilor si premonitiilor unui om cu o sensibilitate extra-senzoriala deosebita, nenumaratelor coincidente stranii si semnelor camuflate la tot pasul.
„Abia acest Culianu mi se pare mai autentic, mai interesant, mai viu si, in orice caz, mai uman decit o solemna statuie de marmura rece.” (Andrei Oisteanu)
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 9, 2023
Voi nota pe scurt cîteva fapte care m-au frapat în „ancheta” lui Ted Anton.
1. Lumea academică nu l-a simpatizat pe Ioan Petru Culianu. L-a acceptat, fiindcă nu-i putea nega înzestrările excepționale și opera. Mulți l-au privit cu invidie și antipatie. Michel Meslin îl considera un „arriviste” și tot el îi sugera, cu bizantină politețe, să nu încerce cumva să obțină un post la Sorbona. Aș aminti că Meslin i-a fost conducător la doctorat (chiar la două). După ce s-a tipărit la Plon, în 1990, Dicționarul de istorie a religiilor, redactat în întregime de Culianu (dar semnat Eliade - Culianu), același savant l-a numit „uzurpator”. Și asta nu pentru că ar fi uzurpat opiniile lui Eliade, ci pentru că a îndrăznit să exprime, în treacăt, opinii personale. Cînd un om nu-ți este simpatic (sau îl disprețuiești), nu-l accepți la doctorat și îi spui să-și caute un alt îndrumător. Michel Meslin și-a descoperit franchețea și curajul abia după moartea lui Culianu.
2. Nici colegii de la Divinity School (departament al Universității din Chicago) nu l-au agreat. Unii le recomandau studenților să nu-i urmeze cursurile. Alții îl acuzau că-și alege teme seducătoare („Istoria divinației”, de pildă) și că le fură studenții. Cînd, la sfîrșitul anului 1987, colectivul a discutat titularizarea lui Culianu, votul a fost foarte strîns. A primit dreptul de a fi profesor titular (decanul Chris Gamwell îi dă vestea pe 5 ianuarie 1988). Mai avea nevoie acum de „cartea verde”.
3. După asasinarea lui Ioan Petru Culianu (marți, 21 mai 1991), Universitatea din Chicago n-a făcut nici cel mai mic demers ca să grăbească ancheta poliției. Promisiunile decanului Clark Gilpin au rămas vorbe goale. Nici poliția nu s-a omorît cu firea. În definitiv, Culianu nu era cetățean american. O crimă într-o universitate privată e ceva scandalos. Înseamnă că universitatea nu poate garanta siguranța studenților. Mai bine păstrăm tăcerea. „Portretul robot” al asasinului a fost realizat după 3 ani. Aveau (au și acum) amprentele lui, dar cercetarea n-a dus la nimic. Poliția a arestat doi indivizi dubioși, apoi i-a eliberat din lipsă de probe.
4. Ce se știe despre asasin: Că a urcat la etajul III al cădirii gotice, numite Swift Hall, unde Culianu își ținea de obicei cursurile. Că știa programul profesorului. Că a folosit un pistol Beretta 25. Că era stîngaci. Că nu purta mănuși. Că nu a folosit un amortizor. Că a tras o singură dată cam de la 20 de cm. Că a țintit ceafa victimei. Că și-a lăsat amprentele în cabina WC-ului.
5. Ce nu se știe nici după 31 de ani de la moartea lui I.P. Culianu: mobilul crimei, identitatea asasinului. FBI n-a acceptat că ar fi vorba de o crimă politică și, oricum, nu putea colabora cu Statul român. În țară, umblau tot felul de zvonuri fanteziste, Vatra Românească avea partid în Parlament, minerii vizitau frecvent capitala, iar șeful neo-securității se numea Virgil Măgureanu. Sub pana traducătorului lui Freud, Leonard Gavriliu, o revistă infamă, publica pamflete de o rară abjecție.
P. S. Există cîteva erori factuale în cartea lui Ted Anton. Aș aminti numai una. Mircea Eliade nu a murit din pricina unui atac de cord, ci a unui atac vascular cerebral, care i-a paralizat partea dreaptă. La analize, medicii i-au descoperit și un cancer pulmonar în curs de generalizare.
1. Lumea academică nu l-a simpatizat pe Ioan Petru Culianu. L-a acceptat, fiindcă nu-i putea nega înzestrările excepționale și opera. Mulți l-au privit cu invidie și antipatie. Michel Meslin îl considera un „arriviste” și tot el îi sugera, cu bizantină politețe, să nu încerce cumva să obțină un post la Sorbona. Aș aminti că Meslin i-a fost conducător la doctorat (chiar la două). După ce s-a tipărit la Plon, în 1990, Dicționarul de istorie a religiilor, redactat în întregime de Culianu (dar semnat Eliade - Culianu), același savant l-a numit „uzurpator”. Și asta nu pentru că ar fi uzurpat opiniile lui Eliade, ci pentru că a îndrăznit să exprime, în treacăt, opinii personale. Cînd un om nu-ți este simpatic (sau îl disprețuiești), nu-l accepți la doctorat și îi spui să-și caute un alt îndrumător. Michel Meslin și-a descoperit franchețea și curajul abia după moartea lui Culianu.
2. Nici colegii de la Divinity School (departament al Universității din Chicago) nu l-au agreat. Unii le recomandau studenților să nu-i urmeze cursurile. Alții îl acuzau că-și alege teme seducătoare („Istoria divinației”, de pildă) și că le fură studenții. Cînd, la sfîrșitul anului 1987, colectivul a discutat titularizarea lui Culianu, votul a fost foarte strîns. A primit dreptul de a fi profesor titular (decanul Chris Gamwell îi dă vestea pe 5 ianuarie 1988). Mai avea nevoie acum de „cartea verde”.
3. După asasinarea lui Ioan Petru Culianu (marți, 21 mai 1991), Universitatea din Chicago n-a făcut nici cel mai mic demers ca să grăbească ancheta poliției. Promisiunile decanului Clark Gilpin au rămas vorbe goale. Nici poliția nu s-a omorît cu firea. În definitiv, Culianu nu era cetățean american. O crimă într-o universitate privată e ceva scandalos. Înseamnă că universitatea nu poate garanta siguranța studenților. Mai bine păstrăm tăcerea. „Portretul robot” al asasinului a fost realizat după 3 ani. Aveau (au și acum) amprentele lui, dar cercetarea n-a dus la nimic. Poliția a arestat doi indivizi dubioși, apoi i-a eliberat din lipsă de probe.
4. Ce se știe despre asasin: Că a urcat la etajul III al cădirii gotice, numite Swift Hall, unde Culianu își ținea de obicei cursurile. Că știa programul profesorului. Că a folosit un pistol Beretta 25. Că era stîngaci. Că nu purta mănuși. Că nu a folosit un amortizor. Că a tras o singură dată cam de la 20 de cm. Că a țintit ceafa victimei. Că și-a lăsat amprentele în cabina WC-ului.
5. Ce nu se știe nici după 31 de ani de la moartea lui I.P. Culianu: mobilul crimei, identitatea asasinului. FBI n-a acceptat că ar fi vorba de o crimă politică și, oricum, nu putea colabora cu Statul român. În țară, umblau tot felul de zvonuri fanteziste, Vatra Românească avea partid în Parlament, minerii vizitau frecvent capitala, iar șeful neo-securității se numea Virgil Măgureanu. Sub pana traducătorului lui Freud, Leonard Gavriliu, o revistă infamă, publica pamflete de o rară abjecție.
P. S. Există cîteva erori factuale în cartea lui Ted Anton. Aș aminti numai una. Mircea Eliade nu a murit din pricina unui atac de cord, ci a unui atac vascular cerebral, care i-a paralizat partea dreaptă. La analize, medicii i-au descoperit și un cancer pulmonar în curs de generalizare.
February 20, 2012
I am going by memory here: I first learned about the murder of a University of Chicago professor when watching the local TV news. I read one article about it, I think it was in the Chicago Tribune. Then I didn't think about it for a few years, until I read a article, I think in the Chicago Reader, about the then recently published book about the life, work, and murder of Professor Ioan Culianu. From the article, the book seemed interesting. I read the book soon after it came out.
There are three aspects of the book: a biography of Culianu, his ideas, and the mystery surrounding his murder.
Culianu was born in Romania, was married but then divorced, and pursued an academic career, first in Europe, and eventually getting a position at the University of Chicago. He was a brilliant scholar of religion, the occult, and the Renaissance. A graduate student he met at the University of Chicago became his fiancee.
The book brings up the interesting ideas of Culianu, which probably should have been dealt with in greater depth and analysis. In fact, this book led me to the work of Culianu. For example, Culianu argued that the study of influence--the psychological effects of advertising, state propaganda, and so forth--has its roots in Renaissance thinkers, especially Bruno. Culianu also tried to explain the similarities between idea systems. One explanation, which I don't doubt happens, is that one culture influences another culture from contact through trade, migration, or conquest. Culianu suggests another factor in play: if two or more idea systems have similar premises, then these idea systems will unfold logically, in similar ways. To give an example at what I think Culianu is getting at: sometimes more than one person makes the same discovery around the same time, for example Alfred Russel Wallace and Charles Darwin came out with similiar ideas about evolution around the same time. When people work on the same problem, they might come up with the same solution.
Culianu was found murdered in the bathroom on the premises of the University of Chicago. The crime remains unsolved. The author strongly suggests that it was the work of the Romanian secret police. Culianu, after the overthow Ceausescu, wrote highly critical articles about the political events going on in his native land. These political articles struck a nerve. A reprint of those political essays--with an analysis--could have been fascinating.
The book goes a bit into X-Files territory. A man living in a suburb of Chicago was talking in his sleep, which was recorded by his wife. This man, who had no connection to Culianu, and hadn't read Culianu's books and articles, nevertheless said things in his sleep about the crime.
To conclude, while I feel the book should have explored deeper into the ideas of this brilliant man--I found this book to be fascinating.
There are three aspects of the book: a biography of Culianu, his ideas, and the mystery surrounding his murder.
Culianu was born in Romania, was married but then divorced, and pursued an academic career, first in Europe, and eventually getting a position at the University of Chicago. He was a brilliant scholar of religion, the occult, and the Renaissance. A graduate student he met at the University of Chicago became his fiancee.
The book brings up the interesting ideas of Culianu, which probably should have been dealt with in greater depth and analysis. In fact, this book led me to the work of Culianu. For example, Culianu argued that the study of influence--the psychological effects of advertising, state propaganda, and so forth--has its roots in Renaissance thinkers, especially Bruno. Culianu also tried to explain the similarities between idea systems. One explanation, which I don't doubt happens, is that one culture influences another culture from contact through trade, migration, or conquest. Culianu suggests another factor in play: if two or more idea systems have similar premises, then these idea systems will unfold logically, in similar ways. To give an example at what I think Culianu is getting at: sometimes more than one person makes the same discovery around the same time, for example Alfred Russel Wallace and Charles Darwin came out with similiar ideas about evolution around the same time. When people work on the same problem, they might come up with the same solution.
Culianu was found murdered in the bathroom on the premises of the University of Chicago. The crime remains unsolved. The author strongly suggests that it was the work of the Romanian secret police. Culianu, after the overthow Ceausescu, wrote highly critical articles about the political events going on in his native land. These political articles struck a nerve. A reprint of those political essays--with an analysis--could have been fascinating.
The book goes a bit into X-Files territory. A man living in a suburb of Chicago was talking in his sleep, which was recorded by his wife. This man, who had no connection to Culianu, and hadn't read Culianu's books and articles, nevertheless said things in his sleep about the crime.
To conclude, while I feel the book should have explored deeper into the ideas of this brilliant man--I found this book to be fascinating.
October 29, 2023
'Eros, Magic, and the Murder of Professor Culianu' is the best book I have read all year. Ioan Petru Culianu was a fascinating and complicated individual, he was a professor of the history of religions, a disciple of Eliade, admired by the likes of Umberto Eco who was on his way to greatness when his life was cut short by a mysterious assassin.
Ted Anton masterfully weaves through the life of Culianu from his humble beginning in Communist Romania where he grew up poor as the scion of a noble family steeped in philosophy and Orthodox traditions all the way to his flight to Italy, Netherlands and the US where he became a renown scholar of religion, magic and mysticism.
What set Culianu apart from other professors was not only was he an expert in his field of study, he actually also practiced all of the things that he taught from yoga to tarot card, magic and everything in between. He was loved by all his students but seen as a weird outsider by his academic peers. He was fascinated by the medieval thinkers such as Giordano Bruno and Pico dela Mirandola and believed that magic thought is what brought us science. He was constantly trying to find a common path between mysticism and science and wrote several fascinating books espousing his world view.
However, Culianu's life was shadowed by a spectre from his past. Romania had been under a fascist dictatorship during World War II and then a Communist dictatorship afterwards. Remnants of the fascist Iron Guard existed all over the US and Canada and some of them were coopted by the National-Communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. Culianu was a critic of both the fascist extremists and of the Communist repressive security apparatus. When the 1989 revolution brought down Communism Culianu was among the first to realise that the old security services actually took over power. He publicly criticised the new regime and was planning a return to Romania in 1991 when he was assassinated.
To this day the murder remains unsolved but Ted Anton traces the threads of the assassination which point towards an extreme nationalist plot. The new regime feared intellectuals like Culianu who had just met with the former King Michael and was being courted by the opposition parties. It is not hard to see who benefited from his death.
The life and death of Professor Culianu is sadly a metaphor for the country of Romania as a whole. A man that rose to the heights of world scholarship and was cut down likely by his own countrymen for the fault of being too outspoken. It is often that the most rabid nationalists harm their own nations the most.
Ted Anton masterfully weaves through the life of Culianu from his humble beginning in Communist Romania where he grew up poor as the scion of a noble family steeped in philosophy and Orthodox traditions all the way to his flight to Italy, Netherlands and the US where he became a renown scholar of religion, magic and mysticism.
What set Culianu apart from other professors was not only was he an expert in his field of study, he actually also practiced all of the things that he taught from yoga to tarot card, magic and everything in between. He was loved by all his students but seen as a weird outsider by his academic peers. He was fascinated by the medieval thinkers such as Giordano Bruno and Pico dela Mirandola and believed that magic thought is what brought us science. He was constantly trying to find a common path between mysticism and science and wrote several fascinating books espousing his world view.
However, Culianu's life was shadowed by a spectre from his past. Romania had been under a fascist dictatorship during World War II and then a Communist dictatorship afterwards. Remnants of the fascist Iron Guard existed all over the US and Canada and some of them were coopted by the National-Communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. Culianu was a critic of both the fascist extremists and of the Communist repressive security apparatus. When the 1989 revolution brought down Communism Culianu was among the first to realise that the old security services actually took over power. He publicly criticised the new regime and was planning a return to Romania in 1991 when he was assassinated.
To this day the murder remains unsolved but Ted Anton traces the threads of the assassination which point towards an extreme nationalist plot. The new regime feared intellectuals like Culianu who had just met with the former King Michael and was being courted by the opposition parties. It is not hard to see who benefited from his death.
The life and death of Professor Culianu is sadly a metaphor for the country of Romania as a whole. A man that rose to the heights of world scholarship and was cut down likely by his own countrymen for the fault of being too outspoken. It is often that the most rabid nationalists harm their own nations the most.
April 30, 2018
Awesome. One of the Best books I've read in a very long time. I liked it as much as I like Eros and Magic in the Renaissance. Fun filled all the way.
Nice to see a sorcerer scholar take on the wicked Romanian government, while illuminating everyone around him at the same time.
This guy was a Hero.
Nice to see a sorcerer scholar take on the wicked Romanian government, while illuminating everyone around him at the same time.
This guy was a Hero.
March 7, 2024
A fascinating story of murder, Romanian politics, and intellectual creativity. I loved the University of Chicago backdrop to the drama too.
April 16, 2012
Well written book. I liked all the details about Culianu's life. The proposed solution to the mystery of his murder is very convincing. It is obvious that the author has made a thorough research, and has interviewed many people and Culianu's relatives. But sometimes one has the sense that he presents Culianu as an arrivist, as if he was an academic who cared only for his career development. Off course, the references to Culianu's books are plenty. The book is pleasant, one can read it without stoping untill the end. Highly recommended.
September 1, 2022
A thorough detailing and investigation of the life, work, and conspiracy-laden murder of a famed scholar of the religious and occult. Riveting, informative, and illuminating. I particularly enjoyed the detailed discussions of the revolution in Romania and Culianu's involvement/commentary on it.
February 12, 2024
I learned so much about Romania, in a way that was really interesting and fascinating. I do think that Culianu was a bit… wrapped up in his own beliefs that it caused him to be a bit cynical ? Interesting guy, interesting read.
March 10, 2009
This was taken from one of my blog entries 1.5 years ago.
The Divinity School at the University of Chicago is no stranger to crimes. Former Div School professor Ioan P. Culianu was murdered in the men's bathroom back in 1991. He was in the men's stall when he was shot in the head, point-blank. At present, the crime remains unsolved and the assailant still unknown.
Magic and mystery surrounds the death of Professor Culianu. The read is very interesting, as the author spends MUCH time on Culianu's physical and academic development, and his precarious academic/political writings.
Frances Yates' The Art of Memory, which I've read in college, is mentioned several times in Anton's book. Yates' work focuses on what would now be termed philosophy of memory during the Middle Ages.
Overall, Eros, Magic and the Murder of Professor Culianu is a fascinating read. Well-written and engaging.
The Divinity School at the University of Chicago is no stranger to crimes. Former Div School professor Ioan P. Culianu was murdered in the men's bathroom back in 1991. He was in the men's stall when he was shot in the head, point-blank. At present, the crime remains unsolved and the assailant still unknown.
Magic and mystery surrounds the death of Professor Culianu. The read is very interesting, as the author spends MUCH time on Culianu's physical and academic development, and his precarious academic/political writings.
Frances Yates' The Art of Memory, which I've read in college, is mentioned several times in Anton's book. Yates' work focuses on what would now be termed philosophy of memory during the Middle Ages.
Overall, Eros, Magic and the Murder of Professor Culianu is a fascinating read. Well-written and engaging.
December 9, 2012
Overall a sad story. It is difficult not to be impressed by Professor Culianu's ambition and achievements in such a short life. The book is well written, but at places, especially about Romanian politics, one may slow down although those details are absolutely crucial for understanding the background. I really enjoyed reading it. I see the qualities of a good film at the hands of a good director.
October 14, 2008
Anton's book, Eros, Magic and the Murder of Professor Culianu, was attention-grabbing. I wanted to read this because I knew Anton in college and had read some of his fiction (unpublished). I did not expect to be so drawn in to the book (not my usual subject) and was surprised when I couldn't put it down. Why does some writing so engage us?
March 27, 2009
One of my favorite books of all time. A man who lived his life like it was an adventure and paid the ultimate price.
July 23, 2011
This book is an amazing read! It's a true story that reads as thrillingly as any fictional murder mystery.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews