Mike Mitchell Books

First published in serial form as Der Golem in the periodical Die weissen Blätter in 1913–14, The Golem is a haunting Gothic tale of stolen identity and persecution, set in a strange underworld peopled by fantastical characters. The red-headed prostitute Rosina; the junk-dealer Aaron Wassertrum; puppeteers; street musicians; and a deaf-mute silhouette artist. Lurking in its inhabitants’ subconscious is the Golem, a creature of rabbinical myth. Supposedly a manifestation of all the suffering of the ghetto, it comes to life every 33 years in a room without a door. When the jeweller Athanasius Pernath, suffering from broken dreams and amnesia, sees the Golem, he realises to his terror that the ghostly man of clay shares his own face. . . . The Golem, though rarely seen, is central to the novel as a representative of the ghetto's own spirit and consciousness, brought to life by the suffering and misery that its inhabitants have endured over the centuries. Perhaps the most memorable figure in the story is the city of Prague itself, recognisable through its landmarks such as the Street of the Alchemists and the Castle.

Set in a boarding school in a remote area of the Habsburg Empire at the turn of the last century, The Confusions of Young Torless is an intense study of an adolescent's psychological development as he struggles to come to terms with his conflicting emotions. Through his relationship with two other boys Torless is led into sadistic and sexual encounters with a third pupil which both repel and fascinate him. Estranged from everyday life, Torless gradually learns to accept his experiences and describe them with analytical precision.

Set in an insane asylum, this second installment of the Studer mystery series revolves around the murder of the asylum's director. The story unfolds in a European classic style, blending suspense and psychological intrigue as the investigation reveals dark secrets hidden within the institution. The unique setting and complex characters contribute to a gripping narrative that explores themes of madness and morality.

Austrian writer Ingeborg Bachmann (1926-73) is a key figure in postwar German literature, known for her novels, poetry, and plays. Her War Diary is a collection of sketches rather than a traditional journal, reflecting the final months of World War II and the early British occupation of Austria. These powerful entries, remarkable for her young age, express her deep disdain for war and Nazism as she navigates the fervent nationalism in Klagenfurt. The British occupation introduces her to Jack Hamesh, a British officer and Jewish refugee from Vienna, who is surprised to meet an Austrian girl familiar with banned authors like Mann and Schnitzler. Their correspondence, particularly Hamesh's letters to Bachmann during his time in Israel in 1946, reveals his struggles with rootlessness after the war. War Diary offers a unique perspective on Bachmann's development as a writer and serves as a poignant reflection on life in post-war Austria. The insights from both Bachmann and Hamesh extend beyond their personal narratives, touching on broader themes of loss and recovery. The German edition has been praised for its critical commentary, highlighting the historical context and the emotional resonance of Bachmann's experiences.