Studies of Death

Count Stanislaus Eric Stenbock was nothing short of an eccentric. With a veritable zoo on his estate, home to creatures like a reindeer and a bear, he traveled with an unusual entourage that included a dog, a monkey, and a life-sized doll he affectionately called The Little Count, whom he regarded as his son. Tragically, Stenbocks life was cut short at the age of 36 due to cirrhosis of the liver, a consequence of his battles with alcoholism and opium addiction. Despite his brief time on earth, he left behind a legacy of three slim poetry volumes focused on themes of suicide, along with this remarkable collection of short stories, Studies of Death. In these tales, he explores death in all its myriad forms‚delving into the realms of occultism, vampires, jilted lovers, and sea sprites, among other curiosities. This collection is not only a fascinating glimpse into early weird literature but also presents early queer themes, particularly in the stories Hylas and The True Story of a Vampire. While one might expect a collection titled Studies of Death to dwell solely on the darker aspects of existence, it also offers glimpses of hope amid the bleakness, showcasing the complex nature of mortality. (Summary by Ben Tucker)