Melomaniacs
Jul 2025 · BEYOND BOOKS HUB
Ebook
205
Pages
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About this ebook
Melomaniacs by James Huneker is a striking collection of impressionistic, satirical, and deeply evocative literary portraits centered around musicians, musical themes, and the romantic obsessions surrounding the art of sound. Originally published in the early 20th century, the book captures the cultural and emotional intensity of music as both an art form and a psychological force. With stories like A Chopin of the Gutter, The Piper of Dreams, and An Involuntary Insurgent, Huneker offers readers a mix of fiction, allegory, criticism, and psychological exploration—all centered around characters whose lives are shaped, elevated, or destroyed by music. From tortured pianists to Wagnerian muses, each tale digs into the passion, tragedy, and transcendence of musical devotion. A literary experiment far ahead of its time, Melomaniacs is not a conventional novel but a psychological kaleidoscope of musical minds, filtered through Huneker’s rich prose, critical insight, and love for the musical masters—Chopin, Wagner, Liszt, and more. This work appeals to musicians, music historians, and literary enthusiasts who appreciate the overlap between sound and the psyche, and it remains a vivid portrait of early 20th-century musical culture and artistic eccentricity.
About the author
James Huneker (1857–1921) was an American music critic, essayist, and author known for his vibrant prose and deep engagement with art, literature, and music. A towering figure in American arts journalism, Huneker wrote for the New York Sun and other major publications, championing European modernism and promoting figures like Chopin, Wagner, and Nietzsche to American audiences. His works reflect an intellectual curiosity, aesthetic boldness, and an unwavering commitment to the avant-garde.
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