“Voynich Conspiracy” now running in Prague…?

11 thoughts on ““Voynich Conspiracy” now running in Prague…?”

1. Paul J. on September 28, 2009 at 6:24 am said:

   Die “Voynich-Verschwörung” spielt nun leider in Prag, und das ist inzwischen bei Fantasyautoren beinahe so en vogue wie Vampire und Elben.

   I think myself the translation given to you may be somewhat misleading. The phrase “The “Voynich Conspiracy” spielt nun leider in Prague” does not necessarily mean that something is playing in Prague (as in a theatre, show etc.) but can mean simply that it “take place” there, or Prague is the backdrop for the “Voynich Conspiracy” (whatever that is). The use of the present tense here does not necessarily place it in the present, but can equally refer to the Voynich “Conspiracy” having its roots historically in Prague, which the person believes to be unfortunate in some sense. My translation (having lived in Germany for some 14 years) would be along the lines of: “The “Voynich Conspiracy” unfortunately takes place in Prague (in the sense of whether it suits us/ or whether we like it or not expressed by the word “nun”) and this has almost become as fashionable among fantasy writers, as vampires and elves.” I am open to correction here, but I do think the original translation led you to believe something was taking place which isn’t.

   Best wishes,

   Paul Jacob
2. nickpelling on September 28, 2009 at 6:41 am said:

   Thanks very much for that, Paul – it’s nice to know that my belief that it was a thoroughly ambiguous sentence was justified. 🙂

   So much for German being the language of precise thought! 😉
3. Paul J. on September 28, 2009 at 6:48 am said:

   Another note on the “Voynich Conspoiracy” mention in the blog. From the context (I have quickly read the interview) it seems that this is the title of an unpublished manuscript having to do with a Leprechaun who is a police official being transferred from the Protectorate “Eire” to the Grand Duchy of Moravia to the International police authority MPK based there (in Prague?)!! Weird story, but hey-ho … This seems to strengthen my belief that the “Voynich” mention has little to do with the Voynich manuscript other than being based in Prague. The author mentions in this context that her four to five year old unpublished manuscript is based in Prague, which due to this location’s current popularity among fantasy writers is “unfortunate” – as in being over used etc.

   Hope this helps

   P. Jacob
4. nickpelling on September 28, 2009 at 6:59 am said:

   So the vogue for Voynich is “unfortunate” in the sense that it makes her unpublished manuscript less saleable? Yes, that would make sense, thanks! 🙂
5. Paul J. on September 28, 2009 at 7:37 am said:

   Yes, you’ve hit the nail on the head!
   Btw, I have actually been interested in the Voynich Manuscript as a layman for some years since reading the Kennedy book. I actually saw the manuscript at the Beinecke Library in New Haven, CT (after a very reluctant library head let me view, but not touch it!) back in October 2005. I have also (purchased) and read your book on the subject (The Curse of …) and found it the first real advance in our understanding of the manuscript for some years. I am currently reading a novel based on the manuscript by Michael Cordy called “The Source” – it’s better than Leprechaun police officials in Moravia, that’s for sure! And I am Irish …!!
6. nickpelling on September 28, 2009 at 8:09 am said:

   Well, you’ve done the Voynich hajj, which places you in a very select band. 🙂 And thanks for the Curse praise! 🙂

   Incidentally, I reviewed “The Source” here, just over a year ago – and to be honest, I wouldn’t write off the Leprechaun police officers just yet. 😮

   Incidentally, have you seen my Big Fat List of Voynich novels? I’d recommend “Indiana Jones and the Philosopher’s Stone” as the pick of the bunch, though you might well enjoy my six VMs-themed short stories listed there too. 🙂
7. Paul J. on September 28, 2009 at 9:23 am said:

   Yes, I have done the “hajj” as you so appropriately phrased it, as I am aware that access to MS 408 is restricted. I am pleased I actually got a (brief) look at the actual manuscript – as you say, very few have actually had the pleasure and that is why I consider it a real honour to have been shown it. At the time I was looking to write a non-fiction book on an unusual subject and thought “Voynich” might be a suitable basis for one. I very quickly discovered I had nothing new to contribute to the subject, but my continued interest in the topic remains. Instead, I am working on a book manuscript on an unrelated historical subject.
8. Rene Zandbergen on September 28, 2009 at 10:53 am said:

   To me it reads like: the Voynich Verschwörung is set in Prague.
   From the following sentences it is clear that it is still being produced.

   Cheers, Rene
9. nickpelling on September 28, 2009 at 10:59 am said:

   OK, so now I’m confused again. 🙂

   Perhaps I ought to just ask her, and see what she thought she meant. 🙂
10. Rene Zandbergen on September 28, 2009 at 11:23 am said:

    My interpretation is that she has a manuscript, or a draft manuscript.
    The last sentence implies that she still has to do work on it. I did not pay
    too close attention to know whether it is a play or a book.
    If it were a play or movie running in Prague, the german verb would not have been
    ‘spielt’ but ‘läuft’.

    Cheers, René
11. Paul J. on September 28, 2009 at 11:25 am said:

    I have just read Mr. Zandbergen’s comment and his first line agrees with my own translation, but what is the “it” he is referring to? From the Q and A interview with Susanne Gerdom “it” can only refer to the unpublished book manuscript she mentions, which I guess has the title “Voynich Controversy” and is “unfortunately” based in Prague.

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