For many readers and connoisseurs, the two-volume novel 'Ardistan and Dschinnistan' represents the crowning achievement of May's life's work. From 1907 to 1909, the first edition was published as a serial in the magazine 'Deutscher Hausschatz', with the first book edition appearing in 1910. At that time, the May fan community was somewhat perplexed. The narrator had turned away from the classic adventure novel, of which he was known as a master (and still is today), and ventured into new dimensions. May took this seriously: the story dealt with fundamental questions of human existence, self-awareness, and the path to a higher existence—encased in complex and difficult-to-decipher symbolism. While May had still chosen real earthly locations for his journey into the depths of existence in the concluding volumes of 'In the Realm of the Silver Lion', he now led his readers into a completely fictional, mystical world with its own geography, history, and population. It is no coincidence that later generations drew comparisons to Tolkien's Middle-earth. The manuscript of 'Ardistan and Dschinnistan' is one of the few surviving manuscripts of May's novels. After nearly a century, this opus is now published for the first time exactly according to this original text. An extensive historical-critical apparatus by Hans Wollschläger, who also handled the transcription, documents how much the magazine version deviated from it. All variants of both the 'Deutscher Hausschatz' and the first book edition, which May himself heavily revised, as well as his correction proofs, have been recorded. The history of the work's creation and its significance within May's oeuvre and life are detailed. As a special delight for every collector, the two volumes have been adapted to match the design of the legendary blue edition from the publisher F. E. Fehsenfeld. Featuring a frontispiece by Gustav Krum.