Neurotica was an American literary magazine founded by Jay Landesman.Craig Sams, "Jay Landesman Obituary," The Guardian (25 February 2011). It appeared irregularly between 1948 and 1951.
History It was started by Landesman in March 1948 in St. Louis, Missouri,Scott Miller, "Inside the Nervous Set," newlinetheatre.com. as a "a literary exposition, defense, and correlation of the problems and personalities that in our culture are defined as 'neurotic'. … We are interested in exploring the creativeness of this man who has been forced to live under-ground, and yet lights an utter darkness with his music, poetry, painting, and writing."Editorial, Neurotica, no. 1 (Spring 1948), p. 3.
The first issue of the magazine appeared in Spring 1948. The first eight issues were edited by Landesman. When Landesman moved to New York, Gershon Legman took over as editor. The magazine ran for one final, ninth issue, Winter 1951.
The Compleat Neurotica 1948–1951 was published in 1963.The Compleat Neurotica 1948–1951, ed. Jay Landesman and Gershon Legman (New York, NY: Hacker Art Books, 1963).
Notable contributors and contents Neurotica provided an early platform for writers of the Beat Generation including John Clellon Holmes,Clellon Holmes, "Tea for Two," Neurotica, no. 2 (Summer 1948), p. 36.Clellon Holmes, "All the Good Roles Have Been Taken," Neurotica, no. 3 (Autumn 1948), p. 31. Allen GinsbergAllen Ginsberg, "Song: Fie My Fum," Neurotica, no. 6 (Spring 1950), p. 44. and Carl Solomon.Carl Goy [Carl Solomon], "Report from the Asylum — Afterthoughts of a Shock Patient," Neurotica, no. 6 (Spring 1950), p. 33.Carl Gentile [Carl Solomon], "Danish Gambit," Neurotica, no. 7 (Autumn 1950), p. 19.Carl Goy [Carl Solomon], "Further Afterthoughts of a Shock Patient," Neurotica, no. 8 (Spring 1951), p. 74.
Other notable contributors include Leonard Bernstein,Leonard Bernstein, "Life Is Juicy," Neurotica, no. 1 (Spring 1948), p. 40. Lawrence Durrell,Lawrence Durrell, "Conon on Mnemons," Neurotica, no. 3 (Autumn 1948), p. 53. Marshall McLuhan,Marshall McLuhan, "The Psychopathology of Time and Life," Neurotica, no. 5 (Autumn 1949), p. 5.Marshall McLuhan, "The Folklore of Industrial Man," Neurotica, no. 8 (Spring 1951), p. 3. Henri Michaux,Henri Michaux, "Clown," Neurotica, no. 1 (Spring 1948), p. 39.Henri Michaux, "The Motorcycles," Neurotica, no. 7 (Autumn 1950), p. 10. Kenneth Patchen,Kenneth Patchen, "A Song of Crucifixion," Neurotica, no. 1 (Spring 1948), p. 23.Kenneth Patchen, "The New Being," Neurotica, no. 3 (Autumn 1948), p. 53. and even a poem by F. Scott Fitzgerald.F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Boy Who Killed His Mother," Neurotica, no. 9 (Winter 1951), p. 38.
Alongside literary work, Neurotica also published work in psychoanalysis, including pieces by Otto Fenichel,Otto Fenichel, "Castration Anxiety in Boys," Neurotica, no. 9 (Winter 1951), p. 33. Rudolph FriedmannRudolph Friedmann, "Struwwelpeter," Neurotica, no. 9 (Winter 1951), p. 25. and Gershon Legman.G. Legman, "Rationale of the Dirty Joke," Neurotica, no. 9 (Winter 1951), p. 49.
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