Monthly Archives: January 2015

The Duke suddenly had the solid conviction that he was dealing with a lunatic. Yet there could not be any danger to him. Hadn’t he proven in Algiers that he feared no danger? Yet even though it was pointless he … Continue reading →

The Duke, like almost all members of the royal house, was completely dependent on his companion. But he was not stupid enough to not be aware of it. He hated this dependence and this companion, whom he could not do … Continue reading →

by Hanns Heinz Ewers Translation by Joe Bandel Copyright Joe Bandel The Hearts of Kings Ragusa, May 1907 As September 1841 came to an end Duke Ferdinand of Orlèans returned back to his Paris hotel after a trip in the … Continue reading →

The poet was alone in his exaggerated dreams. He was beautiful, loved beautiful things and needed to surround himself with beauty. He created glorious beauty in his dreams that were real to him. The expensive country house in Landors or … Continue reading →

What was Edgar Allen Poe like? There are people that give out a strange magic. Under their spell you have to believe in their personality. There is something that pushes back and makes you notice. No one knows what but … Continue reading →

The Pit and the Pendulum I slowly walk for a long time through the park at Alhambra under the ancient Elms that Wellington planted. On all sides I hear the babble and rustle of flowing water mixed with the sweet … Continue reading →

The Raven Poe did not need this ancient fabrication any more. He saw how threadbare and tattered it was and boldly threw it aside. In Eureka he defined the concept of intuition in a few words as a “realization of … Continue reading →

Poe’s Cottage at Fordham If only Edgar Allen Poe could have sat here in the Alhambra. How he would have dreamed! How the colorful stories would have flown lightly around his head before landing! With a few quick words he … Continue reading →