Morgan Meis’ The Drunken Silenus: On Gods, Goats, and the Cracks in Reality is a difficult book to classify.  Philosophy?  History?  Art?  The author explains that he began writing the text while living in Antwerp, Belgium and remembering that Antwerp is the hometown of Peter Paul Rubens.  Though this is and is not (just) a book about Rubens.  Meis reflects, “I wanted this style to be able to touch on deep things, profound problems of being alive, but also to let those problems hang unresolved, to raise issues of some import and then also to laugh at them.  I wanted to create a style that would unfold in spirals rather than in lines.” (pg. xii)

The author succeeds in writing with a unique style, touching on deep things, and letting the problems hang unresolved.  The writing reminded me of favorite professors who would go off on fascinating tangents and then circle back to the subject at hand. To be fair, this writing style may not appeal to all readers.  The spirals found within range from the history of Antwerp, religious wars of the 17th Century, the disastrous affair of Jan Rubens (Peter Paul’s father) and Anna of Saxony (wife of William of Orange/William the Silent), Greek mythology and the stories of Dionysus and Silenus in particular, the philosophical works of Friedrich Nietzsche, “The Drunken Silenus” masterpiece by Peter Paul Rubens, and the destruction of all civilization. 

Somehow, seemingly against all odds, it all works!  Morgan Meis’ voice is unique and compelling.  The dialogue between King Midas and Silenus (shared throughout) is particularly intriguing as the themes of human frailty and mortality come up over and again, like Dionysus’ death and rebirth.  The Drunken Silenus is one of those books that may very well stay with you, lasting far beyond a single lifetime indeed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash