Grist to Whose Mill? by Kenneth Grant

[michaelclarke18]

I was wondering whether there was any more news on this volume?

Thanks - in advance.

[Ariock]

It was in preparation to head to the printers in December. Announcements will come here on LAShTAL, in the "news" section of www.starfirepublishing.co.uk, on the "wall" at www.facebook.com/StarfirePublishing, and of course in your inbox provided you are on the Starfire mailing list. I think many of us are curious about this title and I am looking forward to seeing it in the flesh as well.

[MichaelStaley]

Yes, I'm happy to say that there is some positive news. The novel is now being typeset, and is scheduled to go to the printers at the end of this month. At that stage, the opening of pre-publication ordering will be announced via the Starfire Publishing mailing list and the website.

To be added to the mailing list, please email us at admin@starfirepublishing.co.uk

Best wishes,

Michael.

[MichaelStaley]

I'm pleased to say that Grist to Whose Mill? is at the printers, for publication sometime in March, and pre-publication ordering has opened. See the News Item elsewhere on this site for more details.

This is likely to be the final volume in the 'Nightside Narratives', and its publication lends a certain symmetry. The first volume published in the series was Against the Light, which was written in the 1990s as a precursor to The Ninth Arch. Then the next three volumes were stories written by Kenneth Grant in the days of New Isis Lodge, dusted down as it were for publication. Now the final volume published in the series is from the early 1950s, predating New Isis Lodge.

Further details of the book can be found here:

www.starfirepublishing.co.uk/Grist_advance.htm

Best wishes,

Michael.

[christibrany]

I hope the birth of this paper baby is not as painful as previous ones and that he is a very popular child. I am looking forward to meeting him!

[N.O.X]

My deluxe edition arrived yesterday and I must say that it is absolutely beautiful!  Thanks Mick!

[MichaelStaley]

My deluxe edition arrived yesterday and I must say that it is absolutely beautiful!  Thanks Mick!

I'm glad that it arrived promptly and in good condition. Thank you for your appreciative remarks. The printers made a good job of this book, and Steffi Grant's montages - 1952 photographs of KG against contemporary backgrounds - worked out very well indeed. For the deluxes, I chose a marbled paper the waves of which seemed in keeping with the strong sense of advaita which infuses this novel.

It's been a pleasure and an honour to work on this great book, and gratifying that it's struck a chord with so many people. Barring the discovery of any more forgotten typescripts, it will be the last unpublished item by Kenneth Grant we'll see.


Best wishes,

Michael.

[christibrany]

I just want to say im foaming at the mouth to go home and be able to see my deluxe and my standard of this title. Hopefully soon.....

[N.O.X]

I was just reading this wonderful book and I came across a line that literally had me laughing out loud, so I felt like sharing.  On pg. 127 Marcus (Grant) and Fall (Yorke) are doing a Gematria calculation of Priestlay's name:

 ""Doesn't help us much.  Does it suggest anything to you?"  Marcus shook his head.  He had long ago wearied of all such analyses."   

[MichaelStaley]

Yes, that sentiment of Marcus Maybourne struck me too when I first read it. However, I'm sure it was true at the time (early 1950s) that the novel was written, when Kenneth Grant was immersed in Advaita Vedanta. In support of this, there is not a great deal of gematrical analysis in the Carfax Monographs, nor the first few of volumes of the Typhonian Trilogies; this started in earnest with Nightside of Eden.

[N.O.X]

That's a very good point, Mick.

[christibrany]

I remember doing a double take when I read that too :p 'Marcus' doesnt like gematria??? lol. Also it seems as if his attitude towards crowley err i mean 'seeley' was somewhat antagonistic, and it definitely mellowed with older age and more understanding of his complex character.

[N.O.X]

I wouldn't go so far as to say "antagonistic".  I mean, around that time, he was running the British O.T.O., and copying Crowley's manuscripts for preservation (without which we would would not have some of Crowley's material available at all).  I think he was just inspired with an idea for a great story, is all.  His admiration and love for Crowley and Thelema has NEVER been in question, in my opinion.  That's just my 718 cents.

[MichaelStaley]

You have to remember, Chris, that Grist to Whose Mill is fiction and that the characters are are only based on people that we can identify. For example, Exeter Fall is not Gerald Yorke; the character of Exeter Fall is based to a greater or lesser degree on that of Gerald Yorke.

I doubt, for instance, that Grant really believed that the shade of Crowley caused the explosion that killed Parsons. However, in the novel it is the shade of Seeley that helped Vickers on his way.