GL IV Post Event Observation Day Five - Old Vienna Day - hosted by Stefan Zweig and Joseph Roth - My Session with Drs. Freud and Jung

Emergency Alert

Many have reported seeing numerous Steppenwolves throughout  the hotel and grounds, most frequently from midnight to three A.M

German Literature Month November 2014 Year IV

For any book buying needs, stop by Mendel the Bibliophiles table at the hotel coffee shop

Berlin Jazz Dancers, 1928.  Performing and available in the Krilovean lounge every night .  All seeking sponsers for their studies.

Concierge Services

Stamps, passport security and visa requests

German Ballett.

In the Kleist Audotorium tonight at 800pm

 

More guests arrive.

Prefers to remain incognito 

We are happy to announce the arrival of more guests.  As we have now taken over six floors of the hotel I have invited all authors ever featured on my blog to join the event.

Paul Bowles

"I just arrived firm Tangiers.  I hope Jane will arrive soon and William Burroughs will be stopping by for lunch.

Barbara Baynton

Representing Australian, the daughter of bound Irish immigrants, is Barbara Baynton.

Princess Guermantes

"Marcel sends his regrets".

George Orwell

Confirmed working in Kitchen but declined to be photographed.  He says the whole event reeks of the foolish distractions of the upper classes, fueling the rise of Fascism.   

Old Vienna Day Cohosted by Stefan Zweig and Joseph Roth

Day Five of the Post Event Observation for German Literature Month IV will center around the Vienna of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, circa 1917 to 1931.  But first I have an appointment with Dr. Freud to talk to him about a strange dream I had tied in with old Vienna.  

My Session with Dr. Freud and Dr. Jung

"Herr u, why have you come to see me?

"Dr Freud, I seek your interpertation of a recurring dream I have had"

"tell me the dream,please" 

"I am in the reading room of the Stefan Zweig Center in Salzburg,  my wife is with me.  I suddenly feel very intimidated and I run out.  I am walking the grounds, my wife is no longer in the dream.  I am wearing shorts as I normally do in in the steam bath like climate of the tropical mega-city in which I live.  Suddenly as I wander the grounds alone my pants fall down,  then my wife reappears and yells at me that I have totally humiliated her and she leaves me there.  The next day I return to the Zweig Institute alone and everyone in the reading room stands up greets me and the librarian says they have long been expecting me"

"Hum, Herr u, what do you think this all means?"

"Well of course I wonder why my pants fall down, why do I wear shorts in a place where no one else does?  Why does my wife desert me at the Zweig Institute, or does she, maybe it means my love of reading has left her out of my life?  I do not really understand.  Does it mean I am being held back by her or is it a fear of being a poor husband? "

"Herr u, people do not recall dreams in this much detail, it is a reconstruction from your subconscious, only you can explain it"

"Oh, Greetings Professor Jung, how long have you been listening?"

"the whole time, maybe your wife is the representative of the earth, grounding and anchoring you but also imposing limits, the Zweig Institute is a world she has no place in but do you it somehow represents what your life might have been had you taken different paths long ago.  It is not yet clear to me why your pants fall down.  We need more sessions to tie these images in with archetypes of your subconscious mind in the depths of your cultural memory"

Now Colette interjects, "Mel u, you have a great wife, just ignore these two sages, if you cannot figure out why your pants fall down, stop by my suite after midnight and I will make it all clear to you"

A day in Vienna (held in Salzburg, Austria at the Stefan Zweig Center

The Old Vienna interlude will actually take place in Salzburg at the Stefan Zweig Institute.  Zweig lived in Salzburg from 1919 to 1934.  As you enter the institute, closed to the public today, you will here the music of Mozart and occasionally the Redetsky March can be heard. Many of our guests went into exhile when or before Austria was annexed into Germany.  Old Vienna was considered the safest city for Jews and many still wished the Hapsbugs ruled the city.  The writings are stepped in nostalgia, a longing for old days, a deep sense of loss  for a Pan-European Culture they knew would be destroyed.

Among guests, featured on my blog during GL III, are Robert Musil, Ingeborg Bachman, and Herman Broch, all at the event.  Joseph Roth was originally from what is now part of the Ukraine but loved old Vienna with all his heart.  

Performing at the event today only

Gregor von Rezzori once said the typical Viennese writer was "a cross between a minor Hapsurg Duke and a Monte Carlo croupier" but he joins those longing for the halcyon days when Franz Joseph ruled the Empire.

Guest Updates

Ivan Turgenav will be here tommorow to participate in the Venus in Furs Event.  He will be arriving in his private rail car with several other as yet unnamed "guests of distinctions".

This morning a tragic error may have been made.  At around six am a knight of sorrowful countenance dressed in rags and riding on a donkey approached the hotel entrance accompanied by a corpulent squire of low demeanor and said he had received can invitation to the event.  Hotel security released a pack of Doberman Pinchers and Wolfe Dogs on them.  If you have any idea who they might have been please contact event management, assuming you can locate them.

Robert Walser is walking the hotel grounds, alone.  Kafka has complained to Ruffy and the concierge that he is being hounded by a group of adolescent girls lead by a hunchback but an extensive search by our head of security found no such group.  Many guests speak of a Sandman disturbing their dreams.  Some insist they have seen several shape shifting  wolves roaming the ground.  Carmella from The Reading Life Short Irish story Month (coming March 2015) is now here and plans to enter the costume contest.  She has informed Ruffy several Irish poets  are on their way, wives, whiskey and weather permitting.

          Created by the Irish Master of the Gothic,

           Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, first known

            Literary lesbian vampire, but also

            Likes a fine gentleman on occasion

More to come on Friday and Saturday.

Mel u

Ruprecht, resident shape shifter of The Reading Life has arrived.

GL IV Post Event Observation Day Four Updates. - More Guests Arrive-Field Trip Options. A Visit from the Massad

German Literature Month November 2014 Year IV

For any book buying needs, stop by Mendel the Bibliophiles table at the hotel coffee shop

The German Literature IV Seven Day Post Event Observation is at the mid-point with many more guests arriving as word of the observation spreads through the reading life world.  Early this morning our first American guests arrived, all from the American South, accompanied by Elizabeth Bowen. Our guests are Flannery O'Connor, Carson McCullers, and Eudora Welty.  Our concierge rushs over, "it is a great honour to the Grand Budapest Hotel to welcome three such refined and elegant ladies. And  Will you ladies be needing extra rooms for your slaves?"  After being assured by Ms. Bowen, an old friend of Ruffy's, that they no longer kept slaves, our beloved concierge consults with Prince Youssoupov, he  says, in French to the lobby boy, not knowing Ms Welty speaks a trifle, "put these hill Billy girls in the servants quarters, they won't know any better".  Carson immediately heads for the bar where she is chatted up by Joseph Roth.

Many guests have requested information on possible day tours, of course the concierge can assist.

Here are a few possibilities.

Danube Cruise

A beautiful four hour option, very romantic as a night cruise.  

Hungrian Gourmet Tour

Ruffy says it may not be up to Paris standards but I will certainly be on this tour.  

Godollo Castle

Home of generations of Hungarian Royalty.  

Longer trips to Salzburg and Praque are possible and highly recommended.

Our visitors from Argentina arrive and are met by agents of the Mossad and are escorted to the third level basement. They are never seen again.

Weimer Art Exhibit

More Guests Arriving    

Rabindranath Tagore, accompanied by a friend from Ulm, Germany has graced us with his presence. 

Be sure to try a few of the goodies from Mendel's.

Carson McCullers has decided to enter the Venus in Furs Costume Party Contest, Colette was observed whispering something snide to Ruffy.   Some say the fix is on the contest with the young lady who accompanied Juniciro Tanazaki (from his very powerful short story, "The Tattoo") a sure winner.  

Three more days until she sings 

GL IV Post Event Observation - Day Three Update- Many new guests - Musical Interludes - Film Festival- Freud Lecture

German Literature Month November 2014 Year IV

For any book buying needs, stop by Mendel the Bibliophiles table at the hotel coffee shop

The Post Event Week Long Observation for German Literature Month, held at the Grand Budapest Hotel from December 1 to December 7, 2014 (virtual year is 1932) is well underway.  The three floors of rooms booked to the account of Prince Felix Youssoupov are nearly full but accommodations will be found for all.  As of now the forth floor booked by a beloved friend of Ruffington Bousweau, descended from a three thousand year old royal family from North East India (and Patron of The Reading Life) stands empty pending the arrival of her entourage so perhaps you may be lucky enough to be on her floor.  The Maharani of Raghurg's grandfather had rooms down the hall from Ruffy's grand Uncle Mortier at Cambridge and the families are very close. 

Collete, with the help of Jean Rhys, having heard of the seeming shortage of women at the event, has agreed to run the registration desk. Please sign in upon arrival.  They will have your room data and event vouchers.

Collete plans to win The Venus in Furs Costume Party Contest but Jean says don't count her out yet.

Musical Events

Germania and the grand Austro Hungarian Empire are blessed with some of the world's greatest musicians and dramatists and our entertainment director, Gregor von Rezzori (and yes Ladies he is currently single) has booked an incredible lineup of events.  You sadly missed the afternoon performance of The Magic Flute by the Vienna Opera Company on Day 1 but this afternoon parts of Wagner's  Des Rheingold will be preformed.

 Herr Goethe has arrived accompanied by Lizzy of Lizzy's Literary Life and he will be speaking briefly prior to the performance below at 200 PM on December 5.

Sigmund Freud will be lecturing on "The Uncanny", based in part on Hoffman's The Sandman at 900 AM on day six and will make himself available for a few private sessions for event guests. 

Freud Lecture

Film Festival 

Their will also be a film festival, hosted by Christopher Isherwood focusing on, but not limited to, the films of the Weimer Republic.  A significant controversary has arisen over the proposed showing of Leni Riefenstahl's master work Triumph of the Will.  A number of guests have indicated they may leave the event if it is shown but on the other hand a solicitor representing a small elderly contingent arriving today  from Buenos Aires is insisting that art transcends politics, details coming. 

New Guests Arriving.

Word is spreading throughout The Reading Life World of the event.  Junichiro Tanizaki, famous for his tales of erotic obsession as dark as any European work, has arrived along with the central character in his great short story, "The Tattoo", who is a likely favorite to win the Venus in Furs Costume Party Contest.  Oscar Wilde is here also and will be a contest judge along with Jonathan and Katherine Mansfield.    

News Flash

Sissi arriving for one day only 

"looking forward to seeing Cousin Felix and meeting everyone."  

I have just received word that Prince Youssoupov has booked two more floors for the event so I confident all can be accommodated.  

 

As mentioned Herr Goethe and Dr. Freud have arrived.  The arrival of Rilke caused a rush of excitement when he began to distribute a special inscribed GL IV edition of Sonnets of Orpheus dedicated to Caroline and Lizzy.

Robert Walser arrived, walking in from Thun.  His arrival went unnoticed.  

More craziness to come.

You are expected!  

Please RSVP if possible, bring guests, if possible wear period or formal attire.

Tommorow we will let you know about some of the numerous field trips the concierge can arrange.

Mel u

German Literature Month Post Event Observation Extended for Seven Days - December 1 to December 7, 2014 at The Grand Budapest Hotel

                                                    Caroline of Beauty is a Sleeping Cat Arrives

German Literature Month November 2014 Year IV

Because of overwhelming response and the large number of planned activities, field trips, music events, theatrical performances, Venus in Furs Costume Party, Stefan Zweig's Old Vienna Reunion Day, and daily showing of movies from the Weimer period, hosted by Christopher Isherwood, the sponsers of the event have agreed to extend the festival for seven days.

First we should greet our sponsers and event hosts.  

Ruffington Bousweau 

Event Manager

 Many traveler writers can tell you about the museums, restaurants, historical places of the port cities of the world only Ruffington Boussweau (1881 to 1974-UK) has the courage to tell the manly man what he  really wants to know.   E.  M. Forster said the chapter on Alexandria taught him more than he learned in a year of living there.  Paul Bowles advised his friends not to come to Tangiers without reading what Ruffy said  first.   Hart Crane met Ruffy in a Parisian Apache bar and  said "Ruffy knows all the best places and gave me some great tips on having fun on a cruise ship".  Ruffy helped with the expenses involved with the publication of The Bridge, though he admits he was never able to get beyond the third page.    Jean Rhys said he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.  She was shocked to learn he had been to Dominica and cruised the Sargasso Sea.  Ruffy was touched but had to decline when she said "no charge for you".   Marcel Proust always made sure he had Ruffy's favorite macaroons on stock whenever he heard he was in Paris.     

Ruffington (or as he loved to say "Oh, Please call me Ruffy, even my houseboys do")  first came to the attention of society when he was the  personal cruise director for Prince Nicholas (to be Czar Nicholas) and Prince Felix Youssovpov  in 1903 when they cruised the major ports of the Mediterranean with the Russian navy.   Ruffy and Felix  met in Naples when Youssovpov was doing his grand tour of Western European  transsexual brothels and they were very close the rest of their lives.    

Ruffy was born in London in 1881.      He attended the most manly of universities, Cambridge, receiving a double fifth  in Greek classics and French studies.   His family wealth, acquired in the slave trade-we can all be proud of the fact that Ruffy always forthrightly acknowledged that this was perhaps not a  morally good business- freed him to travel and enjoy the  sybaritic life style that got him banned from the best places in Europe and sought after in the worst or was it the other way around?   He did his best to make up for his family past business with a very diversified collection of houseboys.   When asked about his shocking to many allegedly passionate romance with a Russian  ballerina reputed to be the mistress of a Grand Duke, he said,  and added a phrase to the English Language, "Any Port  in a storm".    

Ruffington Bousweau is the author of 25 classic travel books.  Sometime ago I was approached by the great great granddaughter of one of the wealthiest families in Bangladesh.   Her ancestor attended Cambridge with Ruffy's grandfather and the families are still very close. She kindly provided me with a full edition, out of print in this plebeian world, of his works, and requested I assist on the reprinting  of these works which she is having translated into twenty five of the most common languages of the Indian Subcontinent with the goal of having one million editions in schools and libraries across the region by 2020.  So far two of the books are back in print and you can read more about them below. Ruffy asked her to join us for the event and she reserved the fourth floor for her entourage and signed an unlimited line of credit to generously pay all travel expenses for event participants.  

My post on a classic travel book of the 1920s - The Manly Man's Guide to the Ports of the Mediterranean Sea by Ruffington Bousweau

My Post on The Manly Mans Guide to the Baltic Sea by Ruffington Bousweau

Prince Felix Youssoupov 

Prince Felix Youssoupov is best known through the baseless accusation that he was involved in the alleged murder  of Gregory Rasputin.  He left Russian (keep your Trans-Siberian Railroad Czarist Bonds!) with most of his incredible wealth transferred to London, Paris, and San Francisco (he was an early investor in the Bank of California).  Ruffy and he go way back and Felix has booked on his account the top three floors of the hotel for event guests for seven days, including full room service charges.  Felix's family is related to the royal families of many principalities of Germania and the families of the rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  Special physicians will be on staff for hemophiliacs.  

Stefan Zweig

Stefan Zweig will be the master of cermonies at event dinners, assisted by his good friend Joseph Roth.  Joseph Roth has agreed to taste all wine served.

Gregor von Rezzori 

Entertainment director  and host of the film festival featuring period movies is Gregor von Rezzori, author of Memoirs of an Anti-Semite and a much admired motion picture actor.  We are not sure who is with him but Ruffy said it was Lizzy of Lizzy's Literary Life.

Please RSVP, bring your own guests, the year of the event is 1932 but your wireless phones and tablets will work.  If you have any requests or ideas for the week let us know.

Only if you dare!

We are looking forward to meeting you and your guests, cats and time travelers are welcome.

Get ready for the Venus in Furs Costume Party

Period outfits are encouraged for the dinners for those not in formal wear.

I will be giving more detail on entertainment next.

 

Lewis Carroll The Man and his Circle by Edward Wakeling (forthcoming January, 2015)

Lewis Carroll The Man and His Circle by Edward Wakeling is a factoid rich highly informative work.  Edward Wakeling, per my research, is one of the world's leading authorities on Lewis Carroll, pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832 to 1898), author of Alice in Wonderland, 1865, and Through the Looking Class, the 1871 sequel.  His books were an immediate tremendous success and brought him financial independence and worldwide fame.  

As I learned in the book, Dodgston was a very bright young man. Following his father he went to Oxford at 18.  At age 20, he was awarded a "studentship".  This was a grant for life of rooms at Oxford. The catch was you had to swear a lifetime oath of celibacy, which Dodgson did as far as truly known kept this vow.  He taught Mathamatics and Logic.

There is a lot of good detail on publishers, illustrators, other professors, life at Oxford and the family history in this book.  It does not focus very much on literary exegesis or on how or really even why Carroll wrote his famous books.  

Carroll lived a very sheltered life as a life time student and academic  He took his vow of celibacy seriously, per Wakeling.  He faced few of the normal challenges of life.  He lived all his life at Oxford and taught a bit of mathematics.  He lived among other single men.  He was very into photography for many years and now the big question about Carroll comes up.  What is behind the many, about 1500 photographers of young girls, including nude photographs.  Why did a mature Oxford Don love to socialize with young girls?   Wakeling tries to defuse the long raging controversary concerning whether or not Carroll was sexually interested in young girls by telling us several times he also photographed young boys and socialized with them also. I found that a tremendously poor defense!    Wakeling says, and I guess I accept his authority, nude photography of young girls was not uncommon in Victorian England.  I don't see how it being common practice,  in thirty plus years of on and off reading of Victorian literature and history I have never heard of this, is a defense.  It just means there was a market for such pictures.  As far as is known, he took no nude photographs of young boys.  I did not find Wakeling's rationalization for Carroll's activities with children convincing.  

Look at these images and let me know your thoughts please 

Lewis Carroll The Man and his Circle is a book for those very interested in the subject matter. If you want basic bio data on Carroll, start out on Wikepedia.  The planned price on this book is $49.00. I am not castigating anyone for this price but unless your book buying budget is very high and the subject fascinates you it is simply too expensive.  

I was given a review copy of this book.

Mel u

Edward Wakeling is an internationally recognized authority on Lewis Carroll. A former chairman of the Lewis Carroll Society, he edited the ten volumes of Lewis Carroll's Diaries and regularly acts as a consultant to auctioneers, television programs and exhibitions worldwide. He owns one of the finest collections of Carroll material in private hands. His books include Lewis Carroll's Oxford Pamphlets (University Press of Virginia Press, 1993), Lewis Carroll Photographer (with Roger Taylor, Princeton University Press, 2002) and Lewis Carroll and his Illustrators (with Morton N. Cohen, Cornell University Press, 2003