New book from Teitan Press by Rosaleen Norton

Teitan Press has released a new book, Thorn in the Flesh: A Grim-memoire, by Rosaleen Norton.

Thorn in the Flesh is comprised poetry, Norton’s reminiscences and various occult jottings, with reproductions of two photographs of Norton, as well as examples of her art.

I’m not familiar with Norton, but Wikipedia informs me she was an Australian artist and occultist of some renown. She certainly sounds like she lead an interesting life.

Excerpt from an e-mail received from Weiser Antiquarian:

Rosaleen Norton, the so-called “Witch of Kings Cross,” was a natural rebel whose bohemian lifestyle, outspoken occultism, and unusual and often sexually-charged artwork attracted widespread condemnation from the conservative establishment in twentieth century Australia. She suffered frequent arrests, her art exhibitions were raided, a book of her art banned in both Australia and the USA, and in one notorious case, her paintings were burned at the censor’s order. She died in relative obscurity in 1979, yet left the world a rich and unusual artistic legacy. Some of this was hidden away in two battered metal trunks which contained fragments of her unfinished autobiography, Thorn in the Flesh, various occult writings, letters, drawings, poems, photographs, small paintings, and scrapbooks. It was Norton’s wish that one day a selection would be made from this material, and it would be published.

This book is that selection. It comprises poetry (often humorous), reminiscences, and various occult jottings, with reproductions of two stunning photographs of Norton, as well as some half-a-dozen examples of her art (mainly in color). Most of this material has never been publicly seen before. Although by definition fragmentary, the texts combine to give a very personal introduction to the magical world of this truly remarkable woman. The book includes an Introduction by Keith Richmond, who has previously edited a collection of Norton’s short stories: Three Macabre Stories, and played a key role in organizing the “Occult Visions of Rosaleen Norton” retrospective of her art that was held in Sydney in 2000.

The book is available from Weiser Antiquarian, and for a limited time there’s also an accompanying audio CD of Norton reading from her own work available free with book purchase. See Weiser Antiquarian for more details.

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