Simon Iff
Encyclopedia
Simon Iff is the main protagonist
of a series of short detective stories
written by occultist Aleister Crowley
. He is portrayed as a mystic, a magician and a great detective with a thorough insight into human psychology
.
The stories typically revolve around an apparently unsolvable crime, which is eventually untangled by Iff's magickal and psychological logic. Crowley explained the method of crafting a Simon Iff story in simple terms:
, the Elizabethan alchemist and enochian magician), yet most of the Simon Iff stories remain unpublished. There is however, an edition of The Scutinies of Simon Iff published by Teitan Press
: ISBN 0-933429-02-9. As with most of Crowley's work, the Iff stories are practically unheard of outside of occult circles.
Simon Iff also appears in Crowley's most widely read novel Moonchild (1929).
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
of a series of short detective stories
Detective fiction
Detective fiction is a sub-genre of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an investigator , either professional or amateur, investigates a crime, often murder.-In ancient literature:...
written by occultist Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
. He is portrayed as a mystic, a magician and a great detective with a thorough insight into human psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
.
The stories typically revolve around an apparently unsolvable crime, which is eventually untangled by Iff's magickal and psychological logic. Crowley explained the method of crafting a Simon Iff story in simple terms:
Publication history
The Simon Iff stories were written during a visit to New Orleans in December 1916, primarily as a means of alieviating Crowley's financial hardships. The mystic was verging on bankruptcy, a result of his lifestyle, and extravagant self-publishing, while having never earned a wage. The initial collection of six stories which Crowley penned would be labelled The Scrutinies of Simon Iff. Crowley would later write twelve more stories under the title Simon Iff in America, six stories as Simon Iff Abroad, and two final stories as Simon Iff Psychoanalyst. The Scrutinies of Simon Iff were first published in 1917-1918 in the New York publication The International under the pseudonym Edward Kelly ( presumably a nod to Edward KelleyEdward Kelley
Sir Edward Kelley or Kelly, also known as Edward Talbot was an ambiguous figure in English Renaissance occultism and self-declared spirit medium who worked with John Dee in his magical investigations...
, the Elizabethan alchemist and enochian magician), yet most of the Simon Iff stories remain unpublished. There is however, an edition of The Scutinies of Simon Iff published by Teitan Press
The Teitan Press
The Teitan Press is a small publishing house specialising in books by and relating to Aleister Crowley, and to scholarly works on the occult.-History:...
: ISBN 0-933429-02-9. As with most of Crowley's work, the Iff stories are practically unheard of outside of occult circles.
Simon Iff also appears in Crowley's most widely read novel Moonchild (1929).
External links
- Simon Iff at Hermetic.com