Ever met someone whose hobby took over their entire life? 'Anagramméana' is that story, written as an epic poem in 1821. It follows a scholar whose passion for anagrams—those word puzzles where you rearrange letters—starts as a fun game but slowly becomes an all-consuming obsession.

The Story

The main character, a bright but solitary man, discovers the world of anagrams. At first, it's a delightful intellectual exercise. He finds hidden meanings in names, titles, and everyday phrases. But soon, he can't see words normally anymore. Every sign, every book title, every person's name becomes a puzzle waiting to be solved. His obsession pushes away friends and family, and he retreats further into his self-made labyrinth of letters. The poem charts his descent, showing how a harmless pastime can become a prison of the mind.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't just a dusty old poem. It's a sharp, almost psychological look at obsession. Hécart writes with wit and a touch of sadness. You feel for the main character even as you watch him make terrible choices. It's also a fascinating peek into a time when word games were a serious intellectual pursuit. The anagrams themselves are clever, and seeing them woven into the story is a unique treat.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who enjoy historical deep cuts, character studies of flawed geniuses, or anyone who's ever fallen too far down a rabbit hole (hello, Wikipedia spirals!). It's a short, strange, and memorable journey into a mind lost in the magic—and madness—of language.