Amok by Stefan Zweig

Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) was an Austrian novelist, playwright, journalist and biographer. He was one of the most popular writers in the 1920s and 30s. He published his first book in 1900 and his last in 1942, the same year he committed suicide, together with his wife. They were then living in exile in Brazil. Amok came in 1922.

Amok, or running amok, is often used when describing something wildly out of control or causing a frenzy (Wikipedia). It is a good title for this book of five short stories. The stories tell of men and women who, when something specific happens, loose their bearing in life, that is, they run amok.

We meet a man obsessed by playing chess, almost like an addict. One day he finds himself on a cruise ship, where the world's best chess player, a very young man, has challenged some enthusiast. Winning over the young man, he withdraws and refuses a return match. He quietly tells his story to a fellow passenger.

“People and events don't disappoint us, our models of reality do. It is my model of reality that determines my happiness or disappointments.”
― Stefan Zweig, Chess Story

Twenty four hours of a woman's life, can be very dramatic. A small group of strangers are holidaying in a small pension in the Riviera. Among them is an older lady, very correct and comme-il-faut. But, behind her quiet and proper facade, a story of love and passion is hiding.

A student gets mesmerised by his professor. A professor who manages to inspire his class of literature students to unknown heights. But, he has a secret. He goes away from time to time and no-one knows where or what is his business. The revelation in the end is somewhat chocking for our student.

The amok runner is a doctor, practicing in the countryside in Indonesia. He lives a lonely existence and is waiting for his contract to end, so he can go back to Europe. One day a mysterious, European woman from the upper classes, enters his small practise. She only hints her business. He refuses her plead and she leaves. However, the doctor cannot get her out of his mind, and follows her to the city. Embarking on a crazy run for something he does not understand himself, he is running amok. It can only end in disaster.

All in all, Zweig's stories are beautifully written with lots of insight into the human psyche. He was a friend of Sigmund Freud, so might have been influenced by his research. His people are living on the edge, not being able to control their feelings. He shows how passions can take over your life, and not always in a good way. At the same time it can be a help and a way out of where we are. His writing, as John Banville puts it in an article (Ruined souls) in the Guardian: "Zweig's work is marked by a clear, fluent and expressive style, which translates easily and well, a paramount requirement for international success,...".

Unfortunately, he is not much read today, but he is definitely worth being discovered by another generation. This is the first book I have read by him, but, it will not be the last. Are you familiar with Zweig? Any recommendations to start with?