The Empusium

In the autumn of 1913, Mieczysław Wojnicz, a young Polish student battling tuberculosis, arrives at the isolated Wilhelm Opitz’s Guesthouse for Gentlemen in Görbersdorf, a health resort nestled in the Silesian mountains. This cloistered world is a haven for intellectual men who gather nightly to consume a potent hallucinogenic liqueur and engage in fervent debates on profound societal issues: the nature of monarchy versus democracy, the existence of devils, the inherent inferiority of women, and the impending specter of war. As Mieczysław grapples with his own internal struggles and the philosophical quandaries presented by his fellow residents, an unnerving sense of unease permeates the guesthouse and its surrounding hills. Disturbing events unfold, suggesting a sinister presence that observes, infiltrates, and threatens. Unbeknownst to the newcomer, as he endeavors to decipher both the truths within himself and the enigmatic forces at play, he has already been marked as the next target. Olga Tokarczuk, a Nobel laureate, masterfully reclaims the territory of Thomas Mann's 'The Magic Mountain' with her signature blend of boldness, inventiveness, and unsettling humor.