The Orthography of Madness and Misgivings

by Michaël Wertenberg

A collection of fiction tracing the three-year journey across Europe by a writer of dubious mental composition in the pursuit of clarity and cohesion

Paperback

First published January 2, 2019

About the author

Former touring musician, former stand-up comedian, current aspiring cat hoarder, Michaël Wertenberg is a writer of dark literary and genre fiction focused on the mind's fascinating yet frightening ability to rationalize the irrational.

Reviews

[Sue Mcmullian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feeling about this book because I am not generally fond of dark stories. However, I found myself engrossed in the authors ability to draw me in so quickly, to keep me reading and frequently rereading and to make me both want to recommend this book to friends as a must read and wanting to warn them to skip a couple of the stories because they are too dark.

I always admire an author who can make me laugh out loud and this author definitely has my admiration. Among other things I loved how he personifies the beach in Portugal, how he describes his flat mates in Budapest, how I loved the description of the monster in Midnight Snack and his familiarity with Budapest because of his knowing Paris. The real treat of a collections of short stories is when each is so different and so complete in themselves that it is like reading many novels.

Two friends have asked to borrow this book. I know they will read the 2 stories I recommend they skip because adults are just big children, but I want to know their reactions to the rest .

[Fruzsina Camus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this from a friend and loved it. Michael has a dark mind and a good heart, and they combine to produce touching stories. the characters range from dumb teenagers to parrots in identity denial to lovers who love so much their love transcends the limits of the flesh. the writing is so well imagined and told that most of these stories are begging to be made into films. I hope he publishes more of his material. his notes threaten there's a lot more to be unleashed on an unsuspecting world.

[Kenneth Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are enjoyable stories full of twists and turns. Many are told in the spirit of Edgar Allen Poe, yet with this author's own distinctive voice. There is a sinister playfulness behind them, and the reader is in on the joke. While many could be classified as a sort of horror, a few others are more literary in nature. Most are 5-10 minute reads, just long enough to fill the time when you have a few moments to spare. Interspersed between the stories are auto-biographical passages that explain where the author was living and what his life was like when he was writing them, and I found that these sections added to my overall enjoyment of the book.

[Somen Pillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to ration this book and limit myself to one story a day, hoping it would last longer. sadly, even the best things reach their end.

this book collects some 26 short(ish) stories written over a period of three and a half years, in five different countries. most of the stories are previously unpublished. the book was compiled and self-published by the author.

while the writing remains excellent throughout, there are slight variations in the style and feel of the stories, depending on the country they were written in. you could tell which cities he was happier in, even if the introductory notes were not there. you could tell which stories were written in isolation, and which in between frolics at the park, or social gatherings. this gives the writing an added depth, numerous more layers, and the book as a whole a story-like thread connecting the stories, from the delicate descriptions and gasp of the opener, to the final conclusion of the last one.

the title of the book is apt. there is madness and misgivings herein, also exorcising of demons and exercising of literary skills and ventures into territories Michael previously excelled in, like music. the madness has a method to it though, and the demons do not overshadow the self, or the story, they merely fade like ripples down a part-submerged staircase by the Danube where a lost lover was last seen.

thank you for those stories, Michael. I hope I get to read more of them sometime, in Rue d'Eauville, or on top of Culler hill.

[Audrey Prnt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, we follow the pilgrimages of the author, Michaël, as he moves to different countries - from France to Portugal through Slovenia, Albania, and Hungary, to name just a few - and share with us his impression and spooky anecdotes of his trips. Was it reality? Was it fiction? Probably a bit of both...
The short stories are delightfully written, and the characters are endearing yet slightly freaky. The author brought me with him in his world and I read through the book in an hour. I can only recommend this reading!

[RobLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this may sound like a backhanded compliment, I'm sincere when I state that I was pleasantly surprised at how much I am enjoying his writing.
Go check out his other works. I will.

[Matthew Mattocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little collection of short, mostly horror, stories written during his (Michael) travels to different countries. There are some stories that will most likely stick in my mind. Thoroughly enjoyed the read. Good work my friend! Would love to see you tackle more body horror!