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Bill Kerwin's Reviews > The Tenant
The Tenant
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Although Topor falls a little short of the existential horror of Kafka and Bruno Schulz, he surpasses them both in misanthrope and menace without ever departing-except for what are probably Trelkovsky's hallucinations--from realistic fiction.
It is as good as the movie, and in my opinion that is high praise indeed. (Note: the book concludes with a bonus of four short pieces. "A Fairy Story" is particularly nasty, and not to be missed.)
by
Although Topor falls a little short of the existential horror of Kafka and Bruno Schulz, he surpasses them both in misanthrope and menace without ever departing-except for what are probably Trelkovsky's hallucinations--from realistic fiction.
It is as good as the movie, and in my opinion that is high praise indeed. (Note: the book concludes with a bonus of four short pieces. "A Fairy Story" is particularly nasty, and not to be missed.)
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The Tenant.
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Reading Progress
February 15, 2009
– Shelved
Started Reading
September 1, 2009
–
Finished Reading
November 27, 2010
– Shelved as:
weird-fiction
December 6, 2010
– Shelved as:
gothic
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Evan
(last edited Aug 31, 2009 11:36AM)
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Aug 31, 2009 11:36AM
Did you see the Polanski film, Bill? I've always loved it. It reminded me of his Rosemary's Baby in the way it was filmed; with the fish-eye lenses and all... And Repulsion, of course.
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Yes, "The Tenant" is one of my favorite movies (although to be fair, I have to confess that I probably have 200 or so favorite movies.) I'm glad you like it. Not many others seem to, and that doesn't surprise me, for it is a truly misanthropic film. (Shelly Winters and Melvyn Douglas have never been nastier.) And yet there is something profound and meditative about it too: what are the nature and limits of human personality and identity?
I tend to like films not appreciated by the majority; not simply as some kind of rebellious statement, but because I like it when films stretch beyond formula into deeper realms, which The Tenant does in my opinion. Plus I'm an insufferable cineaste. Yes, I have massive numbers of "favorites" as well.
Bill-It's nice to know that the film of the book is so good.
I love Polanski's "The Tenant". However, I shamefully confess that I had no idea it was based on a book nor I had ever heard of Topor. It's great that I have now a new author's work to explore.
No need for shame. I wasn't aware of Topor either, until I was buying a Thomas Ligotti book from Amazon one day, and "The Tenant" popped up as one of the books Ligotti fans had also purchased. I checked, found out it was the source of the movie, and decided I had to read it too. Glad I did.
I'll try to get a hold of it. Thomas Ligotti is also in my "to-read list". I've read a good deal of praise regarding his work, but haven't gotten to purchase his "Teatro Grottesco" just yet. However I intend to do so very soon.
Topor's artworks are also in that surreal, nightmarish world that Trelkovsky's mind inhabits towards the middle to horrific end in The Tenant.
I actually found the authors in reverse order. I discovered Ligotti through Topor :)
I'd forgot about the Torpor artwork in the book. You're right, Marilyn. It's haunting stuff.So . . . how did YOU find Torpor? Through his art?
Through Polanski!
I'm actually looking to read more works along the lines of Torpor and Ligotti. The only path I was led to was Luigi Pirandello. Can anyone recommend any others?
Bruno Schulz's "The Street of Crocodiles" might be something you'd like.
I read that. Loved it. Also was intrigued by the movie done by the Quay Brothers.
I like Topor and his desesperate humour. He was a great painter and his drawing are magnifics. There are often characters with a derby hat. It is the silhouette of Kafka. Topor is often photographed with a derby hat (and a cigar). He did not look physically like Kafka but !I think that by this way he wanted to be considered like a heir of Kafka, a heir funny, trash, a heir of the jewish Mittel-Europa cultur desappeared.
Any ideas about what happens in the end...?
I love the Polanski movie. I was curious about the book it is based on. Now I know it's findable! I find the movie to be one of the creepiest I've seen.
I love the Polansky film and had no idea that it began life as a book!
Great book, even better than the cult classic adaptation by prominent Jewish pedophile Polansky.
