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A Beam of Sunlight in the Deep Forest—Mystical Prose Works by Édouard Schuré
“[Schuré is], in our time, the sole man of persuasion for whom the few Mysteries which haunt some of us are natural and part of a magnificent birthright.” — Stéphane Mallarmé
Édouard Schuré was a 19th century French author and occultist who spent his life attempting to translate the ineffable realm of spiritual knowledge into literature. Prolific and enigmatic, Schuré navigated many of the seminal movements of his time, developing friendships with prominent figures such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Stéphane Mallarmé, and Richard Wagner. Yet, despite these affinities, Schuré refused to adhere to any one group or dogma. Perhaps due to his singular persona, he has since lived in a netherworld of historical neglect.
A Beam of Sunlight in the Deep Forest is a landmark collection of Schuré’s prose works, offering a robust introduction to the forgotten figure. Among the texts included are the never-before-translated Proses mystiques, short pieces invoking disembodied voices, philosophical anguish, and dark woods haunted by a virgin cloaked in a panther pelt. Central to the collection is The Angel and the Sphinx, Schuré’s hallucinatory novel of sexual possession and spiritual longing set against a Germany of fog‐enshrouded mountaintops infused with black magic. Also included is "Aeolian Harps," a never-before-translated reminiscence of a boyhood mystical experience at the Baden spa, as well as an examination of notable correspondence with Nietzsche, Mallarmé, and Wagner. Taken together, these texts offer truths about the artistic process and the spiritual development of humanity in the face of an ever more industrialized, and secularized, world.
All texts in A Beam of Sunlight in the Deep Forest are newly translated and presented with an introduction by Sam Kunkel, a scholar of 19th century religious literature. Kunkel has also provided translations for the First To Knock collection Echoes of a Natural World—Tales of the Strange & Estranged.
Édouard Schuré was a 19th century French author and occultist who spent his life attempting to translate the ineffable realm of spiritual knowledge into literature. Prolific and enigmatic, Schuré navigated many of the seminal movements of his time, developing friendships with prominent figures such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Stéphane Mallarmé, and Richard Wagner. Yet, despite these affinities, Schuré refused to adhere to any one group or dogma. Perhaps due to his singular persona, he has since lived in a netherworld of historical neglect.
A Beam of Sunlight in the Deep Forest is a landmark collection of Schuré’s prose works, offering a robust introduction to the forgotten figure. Among the texts included are the never-before-translated Proses mystiques, short pieces invoking disembodied voices, philosophical anguish, and dark woods haunted by a virgin cloaked in a panther pelt. Central to the collection is The Angel and the Sphinx, Schuré’s hallucinatory novel of sexual possession and spiritual longing set against a Germany of fog‐enshrouded mountaintops infused with black magic. Also included is "Aeolian Harps," a never-before-translated reminiscence of a boyhood mystical experience at the Baden spa, as well as an examination of notable correspondence with Nietzsche, Mallarmé, and Wagner. Taken together, these texts offer truths about the artistic process and the spiritual development of humanity in the face of an ever more industrialized, and secularized, world.
All texts in A Beam of Sunlight in the Deep Forest are newly translated and presented with an introduction by Sam Kunkel, a scholar of 19th century religious literature. Kunkel has also provided translations for the First To Knock collection Echoes of a Natural World—Tales of the Strange & Estranged.
- GenresWeird FictionFrance
280 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
About the author
Édouard Schuré
491 books28 followersPhilippe Frédéric «Édouard» Schuré était un écrivain, philosophe et musicologue français, auteur de romans, de pièces de théâtre, d'écrits historiques, poétiques, et philosophiques. Il est surtout mondialement connu pour son ouvrage Les Grands Initiés.
Philippe Frédéric «Édouard» Schuré was a French philosopher, poet, playwright, novelist, music critic, and publicist of esoteric literature. He is especially known worldwide for his book The Great Initiates.
Philippe Frédéric «Édouard» Schuré was a French philosopher, poet, playwright, novelist, music critic, and publicist of esoteric literature. He is especially known worldwide for his book The Great Initiates.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 5, 2022
The shorter prose pieces that make up this collection are interesting, both for their imagery and for introducing some of the main elements that will be recognizable in the longer work that is included, The Angel and the Sphinx. The latter is a beautiful, allegorical fantasy wherein a young German knight struggles to find the true meaning behind his family’s long-standing curse and his soul’s relation to the divine. Schurè’s prose is quite wonderful and I loved how the novel melded historical fantasy with wondrous occult symbolism.
It was also very interesting to read some of the letters from his correspondence with Mallarmé, Nietzsche, and Wagner, even though they only touch the very surface of Schurè’s relationship with these thinkers and artists.
Sam Kunkel does a great job of introducing Schurè’s philosophy and views on mysticism. He eases the reader into some of Schurè’s most frequently used metaphors which makes reading the works themselves easier and more enjoyable. In short, the collection feels like an excellent introduction to Schurè’s ideas and work.
Hopefully, this will be the first of several translations of his work into English, as I’d love to read more of his prose and poetry.
It was also very interesting to read some of the letters from his correspondence with Mallarmé, Nietzsche, and Wagner, even though they only touch the very surface of Schurè’s relationship with these thinkers and artists.
Sam Kunkel does a great job of introducing Schurè’s philosophy and views on mysticism. He eases the reader into some of Schurè’s most frequently used metaphors which makes reading the works themselves easier and more enjoyable. In short, the collection feels like an excellent introduction to Schurè’s ideas and work.
Hopefully, this will be the first of several translations of his work into English, as I’d love to read more of his prose and poetry.
February 28, 2022
“The Angel and the Sphinx” is one of the best novels I’ve read in years. The only comparisons I can think of is “The White Dominican” by Gustav Meyrink or “Heinrich von Ofterdingen” by Novalis.
“Child of desire, your ardent and flighty soul is like a candle whose flame flickers in the wind… To desire endlessly, to suffer ceaselessly and without knowing why, rolling your boulder like Sisyphus, pursuing your chimera, aspiring toward the impossible and tumbling back into the accursed caverns….This is your destiny….”
“Child of desire, your ardent and flighty soul is like a candle whose flame flickers in the wind… To desire endlessly, to suffer ceaselessly and without knowing why, rolling your boulder like Sisyphus, pursuing your chimera, aspiring toward the impossible and tumbling back into the accursed caverns….This is your destiny….”
July 14, 2023
angel & the sphinx is good, i like this guy, muy bien
June 22, 2024
A gem of a book. Schuré's perspective is like nothing I've read and yet connected on a deeply personal level. Kunkel presents it with minimal overhead, while still providing the necessary background detail to get the most from the selected readings.
December 2, 2021
Excellent
May 15, 2022
angel and the sphinx was the most enjoyable part for my tiny brain
January 26, 2026
A very interesting read. His personal beliefs tally with some of mine so what can I say? If you're into the mystical you'll enjoy this.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews