Joyce & Co.

These three books form the Erwin-trilogy, published under the pseudonym of the writer's collective Joyce & Co subsequently under the sole authorship of Geerten Meijsing. Strongly based in aestheticism and decadence, these novels explore the hedonistic lifestyle of the writer from three aspects, volume 1 in rhetorica, volume 2 in painting and volume 3 in music. Particularly volume 1 is highly contrived and very erudite if not downright pedantic. Volume 2 is by far the most readable, while volume 3, published almost a decade later is fairly bland. The artificiality of the style of volume 1 foreshadows some of the later work of Meijsing with craft and art standing above nature. The three books are the expression of a very personal writing style and an overdose of vanity.… (más)

These three books form the Erwin-trilogy, published under the pseudonym of the writer's collective Joyce & Co subsequently under the sole authorship of Geerten Meijsing. Strongly based in aestheticism and decadence, these novels explore the hedonistic lifestyle of the writer from three aspects, volume 1 in rhetorica, volume 2 in painting and volume 3 in music. Particularly volume 1 is highly contrived and very erudite if not downright pedantic. Volume 2 is by far the most readable, while volume 3, published almost a decade later is fairly bland. The artificiality of the style of volume 1 foreshadows some of the later work of Meijsing with craft and art standing above nature. The three books are the expression of a very personal writing style and an overdose of vanity.… (más)

These three books form the Erwin-trilogy, published under the pseudonym of the writer's collective Joyce & Co subsequently under the sole authorship of Geerten Meijsing. Strongly based in aestheticism and decadence, these novels explore the hedonistic lifestyle of the writer from three aspects, volume 1 in rhetorica, volume 2 in painting and volume 3 in music. Particularly volume 1 is highly contrived and very erudite if not downright pedantic. Volume 2 is by far the most readable, while volume 3, published almost a decade later is fairly bland. The artificiality of the style of volume 1 foreshadows some of the later work of Meijsing with craft and art standing above nature. The three books are the expression of a very personal writing style and an overdose of vanity.… (más)

«Erwins Echo» is a collection of short stories related to but not part of, and therefore published separately from the Erwin-trilogy which I read last month. The stories are more accessible than Vol. One of the trilogy, but likewise dwell on the aestheticism and hedonism of the main character. With scenes set both in Haarlem and Italy, the stories provide an exquisite background and are beautifully written. Still, it's unlikely that the stories would be of interest to readers not familiar with the first two volumes of the Erwin-trilogy.… (más)