This is a fantastic collection of prose poetry; vignettes that can be read separately or as a whole, illuminating the life of a magician and diabolist; or the life of an ordinary man fascinated with the occult and whose outlook on life vacillates between a form of existential, almost cosmic dread, one of mystical longing and magical discovery, and one in which satisfaction with the small pleasures of life reign supreme. The prose is elegant, yet precise, with even short pieces carrying great import and multifaceted meaning. My only complaint is that this edition is out of print and more people as a result will not have the chance to read this lovely book. Recommended to fans of weird fiction and poetry, and those who find fascination in the more occult aspects of genre fiction. ( )