Jean de Boschère's The City Curious is a forgotten gem from 1920 that reads like a surrealist painting come to life. It doesn't follow a typical plot with clear villains and heroes. Instead, it pulls you into a deeply psychological and symbolic landscape.

The Story

The story belongs to Paul, a sensitive and isolated boy. To cope with his dull and unhappy daily life, he retreats into his mind and builds 'The City Curious.' This isn't just a daydream; it's a meticulously imagined metropolis with its own geography, architecture, and strange, silent inhabitants. Paul visits this city in his thoughts, wandering its endless, twisting streets. But the city stops being a passive escape. It begins to develop its own will. The spaces feel watchful, the atmosphere grows heavy, and the line between Paul's creation and his reality starts to blur. The central question becomes: Is Paul losing himself inside his own invention?

Why You Should Read It

This book is a quiet masterpiece of mood. Boschère writes with a poet's eye, making you feel the texture of shadows and the weight of silence. The real tension isn't in action scenes, but in the slow, chilling realization that Paul's sanctuary is becoming his prison. It's about the loneliness that can make an imaginary friend—or an entire city—and the terrifying moment that creation looks back at its creator. Reading it feels like walking through a dream you can't wake up from, one that's beautiful and unsettling in equal measure.

Final Verdict

The City Curious is not a book for everyone. If you need fast-paced plots and easy answers, look elsewhere. But if you're a reader who loves atmospheric, psychological stories—fans of Bruno Schulz's The Street of Crocodiles or the dreamlike unease of early David Lynch films will find a kindred spirit here. It's perfect for anyone who appreciates poetic prose and is willing to get a little lost in a labyrinth of the mind. A short, strange, and stunning read that sticks with you long after the last page.