French Literature Reviews - 2026
Samuel Kunkel, L'orphisme et le roman post-romantique. Édouard Schuré, Joséphin Péladan, Arthur Machen, Algernon Blackwood
Comparative and World Literature
Often used as a synonym for “mysticism,” orphism refers to an artistic expression characterized by the artist's supernatural vision, which frequently emerges during periods of spiritual crisis. In the case of the four French and British novelists examined in this book—Édouard Schuré, Joséphin Péladan, Arthur Machen, and Algernon Blackwood—this crisis stems from the climate of decadence that swept across the European continent at the end of the 19th century, driving the laicization of society and the secularization of art.
Faced with this atmosphere of decline, these novelists set out to write works of fiction centered on a complex spiritual philosophy that nevertheless remains accessible to the novice reader, who stands to benefit from the gnostically inspired quest depicted in their writing.
Yet, discussing a novelistic orphism also means confronting a paradox: the text now seeks to convey, in a simplified form, esoteric knowledge traditionally reserved for initiates to the widest possible audience. To navigate a rapidly changing world, these writers are thus compelled to explore not only the limits of their faith, but also those of literary expression.
Samuel Kunkel holds a PhD in comparative literature and also works as a translator. He recently published a collection of prose works by Schuré and serves as an editor for “Faunus,” the journal of the Friends of Arthur Machen Society.
The nineteenth century closed amid profound intellectual anxiety, as rapid industrialization and secularization unsettled traditional certainties across Europe. Within literary and artistic circles, the resulting spiritual crisis prompted various attempts to recover lost metaphysical dimensions through esoteric traditions. Authors drawn to mystical currents often navigated a tension between secret doctrines and public communication, adapting esoteric motifs for broader readerships. Samuel Kunkel holds a PhD in comparative literature, works as a translator, recently published a collection of prose works by Schuré, and serves as an editor for the journal of the Friends of Arthur Machen Society.
Often used as a synonym for mysticism, orphism refers to an artistic expression characterized by the artist's supernatural vision, which frequently emerges during periods of spiritual crisis. In the case of the four French and British novelists examined in this book—Édouard Schuré, Joséphin Péladan, Arthur Machen, and Algernon Blackwood—this crisis stems from the climate of decadence that swept across the European continent at the end of the 19th century, driving the laicization of society and the secularization of art. Readers interested in nineteenth-century literary movements, decadent culture, and the relationship between literature and esotericism may find it relevant.