Delve into the captivating stories of eight mythical volumes, books that have vanished from history through fire, censorship, theft, war, or deliberate destruction. Author Giorgio van Straten embarks on a compelling quest, tracing the elusive presence of these lost literary treasures across continents and through time. This book unearths the intriguing circumstances behind their disappearances, from a rediscovered masterpiece lost to fire to Hemingway's fabled missing novel and Byron's controversially burnt memoirs, culminating in the enduring hope for Sylvia Plath's mythical work.

Why You Should Read?

• Explores the fascinating, often tragic, histories of influential lost literary works.
• Offers a unique blend of literary detection, cultural history, and poignant narrative.
• Reveals the human stories behind censorship, destruction, and the preservation of knowledge.
• Captivates with the elegiac pursuit of the impossible, celebrating the enduring power of stories.