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The Architect
The mad and mystical Körn Society, based in Ticino, Switzerland, sets itself the task of building a grand, soul-uplifting Meeting Place for its members. An inspired architect, a visionary in stone, must be found, and one such is available: the mysterious and unpredictable Alexius Nachtman. But is he perhaps too visionary? This is the effect of his book of sketches:
“Huge edifices, megastructures, poured from the leaves. Bridges which spanned oceans, towers which stretched into the clouds, huge fortresses which looked as if they could withstand the destructive force of an Armageddon. Vertical cities rose up from desert plains in startling anaxometrics, while spatial cities, cities built fifteen or twenty meters above their counterparts, stood forth as visions of utopian architecture, only to be outdone on subsequent pages by floating cities, vast nests of hexagonal pods resting atop lakes and oceans. Structures which straddled the earth and others which burrowed under it. Buildings which brought to mind lost civilizations or seemed to be the habitations of beings from another world . . . ”
Despite doubts, he is hired. And so, in this adventure of marble and mortar, of machines and workmen, of cult and manipulation, the most bizarre construction project since Babel commences its Cyclopean growth. Written by a contemporary master of the decadent and grotesque, The Architect is like Greek tragedy on hallucinogens—a brilliant, stylish short novel of eccentricity and decay.
“Huge edifices, megastructures, poured from the leaves. Bridges which spanned oceans, towers which stretched into the clouds, huge fortresses which looked as if they could withstand the destructive force of an Armageddon. Vertical cities rose up from desert plains in startling anaxometrics, while spatial cities, cities built fifteen or twenty meters above their counterparts, stood forth as visions of utopian architecture, only to be outdone on subsequent pages by floating cities, vast nests of hexagonal pods resting atop lakes and oceans. Structures which straddled the earth and others which burrowed under it. Buildings which brought to mind lost civilizations or seemed to be the habitations of beings from another world . . . ”
Despite doubts, he is hired. And so, in this adventure of marble and mortar, of machines and workmen, of cult and manipulation, the most bizarre construction project since Babel commences its Cyclopean growth. Written by a contemporary master of the decadent and grotesque, The Architect is like Greek tragedy on hallucinogens—a brilliant, stylish short novel of eccentricity and decay.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 12, 2025
Connell delivers another absorbing fictional account of bizarre people acting in satirical fashion. This is a baroque and elegant gem about a brilliant architect driven mad by his vision of the greatest edifice ever to be imagined. His eldritch genius spreads to others, infecting them with illusions of grandeur, leading them to fall under his spell and undertake the doomed enterprise of reconstructing a Tower of Babel. And the primordial emotions which arise out of the gruesome spectacle are a wonder to behold.
As in his other books, the author makes use of vibrant imagery to construct Boschian panoplies, elaborating upon the insane cathedral in his mind, which absorbs the people and materials from the far-flung corners of the world like a psychic sponge, possessing thousands of souls, gorging itself on a populace of worshippers.
Breathtaking and otherworldly, this magnificent account will haunt your dreams. We are all Builders of Pyramids, fashioning idols out of clay, and blood, and our own bodies, children held in contempt by a wicked deity - one might surmise from the author's atmospheric depiction of excessive human pride and the devastating consequences of hubris. Should heartrending genius be encouraged, even in the face of death and ignominy? Should visionaries and engineers of the imagination be indulged or raised to the status of conquerors? You be the judge.
As in his other books, the author makes use of vibrant imagery to construct Boschian panoplies, elaborating upon the insane cathedral in his mind, which absorbs the people and materials from the far-flung corners of the world like a psychic sponge, possessing thousands of souls, gorging itself on a populace of worshippers.
Breathtaking and otherworldly, this magnificent account will haunt your dreams. We are all Builders of Pyramids, fashioning idols out of clay, and blood, and our own bodies, children held in contempt by a wicked deity - one might surmise from the author's atmospheric depiction of excessive human pride and the devastating consequences of hubris. Should heartrending genius be encouraged, even in the face of death and ignominy? Should visionaries and engineers of the imagination be indulged or raised to the status of conquerors? You be the judge.
May 24, 2020
4.5
full post here:
https://www.oddlyweirdfiction.com/202...
About 5 days ago I said "post coming tomorrow," and then I got hit with a fever that just wouldn't stop, knocking me off my can so that thinking about anything was just out of the question. I've basically just slept and watched tv when I wasn't sleeping over the last five days, along with reading some ghost story collections that didn't overly require my attention. Not out of the woods yet, but today is the most coherent I've been so I figured I would finally write something about this book, which I absolutely loved. Then again, it's by Brendan Connell, so that's not at all surprising.
I'll ask you to read the post instead of reproducing parts of it here -- although I really hate doing that, I'm getting tired again.
full post here:
https://www.oddlyweirdfiction.com/202...
About 5 days ago I said "post coming tomorrow," and then I got hit with a fever that just wouldn't stop, knocking me off my can so that thinking about anything was just out of the question. I've basically just slept and watched tv when I wasn't sleeping over the last five days, along with reading some ghost story collections that didn't overly require my attention. Not out of the woods yet, but today is the most coherent I've been so I figured I would finally write something about this book, which I absolutely loved. Then again, it's by Brendan Connell, so that's not at all surprising.
I'll ask you to read the post instead of reproducing parts of it here -- although I really hate doing that, I'm getting tired again.
January 3, 2018
Novella filled with grotesque marvels, and wonderfully satirical, that reminded me of Marquez. One of the best and most scathing literary portrayals of a narcissist that I’ve read.
November 30, 2015
Another book to read and read again by Brendan Connell, who is fast becoming one of my favorite modern writers.
He is a practitioner of the "great economy" style and performs this trick to startling effect (see his Metrophilias: practically not a single word wasted). In The Architect, the form of the novel, in some ways, resembles the story being told with its "brick by brick" slow-build, which leads inexorably toward the creation of a finely wrought, robust, cautionary parable brought up to the now.
He is a practitioner of the "great economy" style and performs this trick to startling effect (see his Metrophilias: practically not a single word wasted). In The Architect, the form of the novel, in some ways, resembles the story being told with its "brick by brick" slow-build, which leads inexorably toward the creation of a finely wrought, robust, cautionary parable brought up to the now.
May 28, 2020
This novella is my first foray into Connell's work, and I really enjoyed this. It's weird, horrific, decadent, funny and scathing. On its face this is a dark parable, something that shows the influence of Kafka, shot through with magical realism and a touch of philosophical horror. It reflects on hubris, cultish behavior, idolization, and just what people will do not for material gain, but for some sort of spiritual purpose. To escape this mundane vale of tears.
The case of Jim and Tammy Bakker and others came to mind while reading this, but of course it's easy to take the critique Connell makes and place it on all of society and what it demands of us. Despite the darkness, this is actually a very funny novella at times that shines in it's use of language and ability to surprise.
Ultimately, we all need to read Shelley's "Ozymandias" and calm our asses down.
The case of Jim and Tammy Bakker and others came to mind while reading this, but of course it's easy to take the critique Connell makes and place it on all of society and what it demands of us. Despite the darkness, this is actually a very funny novella at times that shines in it's use of language and ability to surprise.
Ultimately, we all need to read Shelley's "Ozymandias" and calm our asses down.
July 23, 2014
The Architect is a short novel that is mesmerizing and makes you turn the pages once you open it.
While the story reveals itself soon as a pretty familiar one after a somewhat mysterious beginning where both the origins of the cult that is central to the novel and of the architect of the title are presented, the power of the book lies in the captivating style and the slowly turning up of the pressure and the stakes.
I plan to add a few more thoughts and have a more coherent on FBC this month or next month, but I would strongly recommend to at least check a sample of this one and see if the powerful imagery inside transfixes you too
This is the first book i read by Mr. Connell and it intrigued me quite a lot so I want to try more of his work starting with The Life of Polycrates
While the story reveals itself soon as a pretty familiar one after a somewhat mysterious beginning where both the origins of the cult that is central to the novel and of the architect of the title are presented, the power of the book lies in the captivating style and the slowly turning up of the pressure and the stakes.
I plan to add a few more thoughts and have a more coherent on FBC this month or next month, but I would strongly recommend to at least check a sample of this one and see if the powerful imagery inside transfixes you too
This is the first book i read by Mr. Connell and it intrigued me quite a lot so I want to try more of his work starting with The Life of Polycrates
October 27, 2025
Nachtman, the mad outcast architect drunk with power, is tasked with building The Körn Society’s compound. It will be the largest and most grand building ever constructed; things go bad, obviously. The story is essentially procedural — escalations are predictable and the endpoint clear — but there is a good deal of satisfaction in watching it play out. I particularly like the ending: Nachtman, scurrying from the rubble of the collapsed building, sets off in search of a bottle and a bite, where he will remain until someone stupid enough to offer him another opportunity comes along. He’s like a biblical punishment (the author himself indirectly likens the construction site to the tower of Babel), cruel, unrelenting, and nonplussed at the destruction left in his wake.
A good read situated somewhere between the moody gothic atmosphere of Ligotti and the unapologetically escalating ridiculousness of Bulkagov.
A good read situated somewhere between the moody gothic atmosphere of Ligotti and the unapologetically escalating ridiculousness of Bulkagov.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2012
Originally published at Risingshadow.
Brendan Connell is a gifted author, who avoids clichés and writes compelling prose. He's one of the best new authors, because his stories are simply brilliant in their originality. Although he has already written several stories, The Architect is definitely something different and unique, because the author manages to surprise his readers with the story.
Here's a bit of information about the plot:
The board members of the mad and mystical Körn Society hire a mysterious architect called Alexius Nachtman to build a meeting place for the members of their society. Nachtman wants to build something grand and never-before-seen, so his visions interest the board members. When the construction begins, everything seems normal at first and the board members seem to get what they want, but then the people involved in the construction process are beginning to question if the architect is going too far with his strange and almost otherworldly visions...
The Architect is a masterpiece of surreal and highly imaginative speculative fiction. It's a must-read story about eccentric persons and decadence. It's perfect fiction for everybody who loves quality writing and isn't afraid to read something different.
In my opinion The Architect is a unique achievement, because the author goes as far as possible with the story and seems to push the limits of imagination. Pushing the limits is good, because it's a pleasure to read imaginative and well written stories.
The Architect features vivid descriptions and excellent prose, which highlights the surreal elements of the story. When I read this short novel, I was amazed at its complex and sophisticated structure. It's easy to notice that the author has spent a lot of time writing this story, because this story is full of happenings and informative, but descriptive prose.
I'm not sure if other readers agree with me on this, but in my opinion Brendan Connell's prose reminds me a bit of Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. He doesn't write the same kind of weird fiction as these old masters did, but he writes decadent, grotesque and weird stories and knows how to write perfect literary English.
I think it's nice how the author manages to bring the whole construction process to life by writing about its different phases. He writes passionately about money problems etc and fascinates the reader by showing how Nachtman solves each problem in his own way (Nachtman's solutions are more than a bit unorthodox and bizarre).
The construction of the meeting place is quite a sight to behold, because it's a work of a visionary (and "slightly insane") man who has an almost unlimited imagination. Nachtman's visions are fascinating and the way the author writes about them feels fresh. The construction work starts innocently, but gradually it turns into a weird and mad spectacle, which will fascinate and horrify readers.
It was fun to read how the board members of the Körn Society were fascinated by Nachtman's visions and didn't care what happened as long as the meeting place would be finished and would look amazing. Nachtman seemed to be able to do almost anything, although his visions became weirder and weirder.
The author has a twisted and quirky sense of humour and he knows how to use black humour to his advantage. Nachtman's comments at the end are funny (or perhaps I should say hilarious).
It was interesting that the author mentioned two Finnish architects (Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto). I think that some readers may have heard of these architects, because they're well known persons.
I think that all fans of Brendan Connell will be pleased with The Architect. I also think that readers, who haven't read Brendan Connell's stories before, will like this short novel. (If you like The Architect, please consider reading more stories from Brendan Connell, because they're fantastic stories.)
Highly recommended!
Brendan Connell is a gifted author, who avoids clichés and writes compelling prose. He's one of the best new authors, because his stories are simply brilliant in their originality. Although he has already written several stories, The Architect is definitely something different and unique, because the author manages to surprise his readers with the story.
Here's a bit of information about the plot:
The board members of the mad and mystical Körn Society hire a mysterious architect called Alexius Nachtman to build a meeting place for the members of their society. Nachtman wants to build something grand and never-before-seen, so his visions interest the board members. When the construction begins, everything seems normal at first and the board members seem to get what they want, but then the people involved in the construction process are beginning to question if the architect is going too far with his strange and almost otherworldly visions...
The Architect is a masterpiece of surreal and highly imaginative speculative fiction. It's a must-read story about eccentric persons and decadence. It's perfect fiction for everybody who loves quality writing and isn't afraid to read something different.
In my opinion The Architect is a unique achievement, because the author goes as far as possible with the story and seems to push the limits of imagination. Pushing the limits is good, because it's a pleasure to read imaginative and well written stories.
The Architect features vivid descriptions and excellent prose, which highlights the surreal elements of the story. When I read this short novel, I was amazed at its complex and sophisticated structure. It's easy to notice that the author has spent a lot of time writing this story, because this story is full of happenings and informative, but descriptive prose.
I'm not sure if other readers agree with me on this, but in my opinion Brendan Connell's prose reminds me a bit of Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. He doesn't write the same kind of weird fiction as these old masters did, but he writes decadent, grotesque and weird stories and knows how to write perfect literary English.
I think it's nice how the author manages to bring the whole construction process to life by writing about its different phases. He writes passionately about money problems etc and fascinates the reader by showing how Nachtman solves each problem in his own way (Nachtman's solutions are more than a bit unorthodox and bizarre).
The construction of the meeting place is quite a sight to behold, because it's a work of a visionary (and "slightly insane") man who has an almost unlimited imagination. Nachtman's visions are fascinating and the way the author writes about them feels fresh. The construction work starts innocently, but gradually it turns into a weird and mad spectacle, which will fascinate and horrify readers.
It was fun to read how the board members of the Körn Society were fascinated by Nachtman's visions and didn't care what happened as long as the meeting place would be finished and would look amazing. Nachtman seemed to be able to do almost anything, although his visions became weirder and weirder.
The author has a twisted and quirky sense of humour and he knows how to use black humour to his advantage. Nachtman's comments at the end are funny (or perhaps I should say hilarious).
It was interesting that the author mentioned two Finnish architects (Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto). I think that some readers may have heard of these architects, because they're well known persons.
I think that all fans of Brendan Connell will be pleased with The Architect. I also think that readers, who haven't read Brendan Connell's stories before, will like this short novel. (If you like The Architect, please consider reading more stories from Brendan Connell, because they're fantastic stories.)
Highly recommended!
December 10, 2012
The Architect, like the architect in it, inches from the reasonable to the unreasonable -- and yet it's a short book, so a short, compressed, weird, yet perfectly adjusted journey. Connell's novel The Translation of Father Torturo reminded me of a mix of Gothic and giallo; this could be a mixture of metaphysical tract and aspirational fable gone haywire.
March 20, 2013
Connell's novella is hard to categorize--certainly dark, but also a bit fantastical, it straddles the line between horror and contemporary fantasy. The study of the cult of personality, the delusion of faith, and madness of ego is finely wrought and creative, though there's such a distance created in the tone and perspective that I found emotional engagement difficult. The writing elevates the tale, though, and I'd certainly read something else by this author.
August 12, 2012
Hard to get into at first, then it became very fascinating.
April 22, 2013
Loved it. Short, dark, twisted and brilliant - just like this review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews