Laylah - by Darren Francis (Paperback)

About the Book

The first and only biography of Leila Waddell, professional violinist and muse to the infamous Aleister Crowley.

Book Synopsis

Professional violinist, muse to the infamous Aleister Crowley.

Though Leila Waddell has become an iconic figure in twentieth century occultism, precise details of her life are mostly obscure. From her early years in Australia to her career as an international touring musician, her role as paramour and inspiration to the wickedest man in the world, and finally her return to home shores and tragic early death, Laylah: The Life of Leila Waddell is the first and only biography of her to be published.

Review Quotes

"In this important work and highly fascinating read, Leila Waddell is remembered not only for her musical talent but also as a seminal muse for Aleister Crowley, whose writings immortalised her spirit and influence within the sphere of early modernist occultism." - Carl Abrahamsson, author of Meetings with Remarkable Magicians and Source Magic

"Darren Francis has provided a major corrective to a hitherto missing chapter of magickal history. Leila Waddell has not been best served previously, mostly thanks to the account left of her by Aleister Crowley himself. Like almost all the women - and men! - that were important to The Great Beast's life and work, he was characteristically dismissive of her, falsely referring to his former muse, lover, and companion as 'a fifth-rate fiddler.' Here, for the first time, drawing on original research and with great attention to detail, the truth about Waddell's considerable talents, intelligence, and independence of spirit are all duly noted. Darren Francis and Hadean Press are to be commended for providing a valuable work that will appeal to all those interested in the characters, sometimes unfairly forgotten or overlooked, who were pioneers of the modern Occult Revival. Essential reading for Thelemites everywhere!" -- Matthew Levi Stevens, writer, speaker, and author of The Magical Universe of William S. Burroughs (Mandrake of Oxford, 2014)