Phantom empires

In this first major examination, in any language, of Lernet-Holenia's novels and critical essays, Dassanowsky explores and redefines the author's unique understanding of a problematic Austrian national identity within a restless Central Europe, a topic revitalized for the twenty-first century. Because of the readability of Lernet-Holenia's writings, he has unfairly come to be considered a popular author. In this thoughtful examination of the major novels, Dassanowsky demonstrates that Lernet-Holenia was extremely knowledgeable about the Habsburg Empire and that his writings offer important and relevant commentaries on the cultural and political nature of Austria.