Decadent Bestiary

An anthology of over 40 animal tales and poems selected, translated, and introduced by Jessica Gossling and Sam Kunkel, published by Strange Attractor Press. This sumptuously illustrated collection gathers fin-de-siècle and symbolist works by forty writers including Baudelaire, Wilde, Crowley, Lovecraft, Huysmans, and Rachilde, exploring the uncanny connection between human and animal realms. Featuring stories both canonical and newly translated into English, the volume traces recurring bestiary motifs through decadent and occultist literature, examining how fin-de-siècle writers engaged with animals as vehicles for aesthetic transgression, mysticism, and philosophical inquiry. The 256-page paperback and limited hardback edition presents 45 black and white illustrations, offering a visually striking gateway into decadent literature’s preoccupation with beauty, mystery, and the liminal spaces between civilization and nature.

Published by Strange Attractor Press — AI-generated summary. Visit the publisher to learn more.