Tales of Hoffmann

Introduction by R. J. Hollingdale
Translated by R. J. Hollingdale
Selected by R. J. Hollingdale
Paperback
$18.00 US
On sale Aug 26, 1982 | 416 Pages | 9780140443929

A lawyer by day and a creator of a world of fantasy by night, Hoffman (1776-1822) lived a Jekyll and Hyde existence. Many of the characters in his stories are subject to a similar split personality.
 
The duality of his nature is frequently reflected in some of his characters—Cardillac the goldsmith in Mademoiselle de Scudéry and Nathaniel in The Sandman, for example. Cardillac is a virtuous, industrious man by day but a violent criminal at night, while Nathaniel, obsessed by a childhood fantasy, is driven to madness and cruelty.
 
These tales can be read on several levels: as an expression of the concerns of the Romantic era, as impressive examples of German Romantic literature and as exciting works of fiction made all the more extraordinary by their concern with the supernatural and the bizarre.
Tales of HoffmanIntroduction

Mademoiselle de Scudery
The Sandman
The Artushof
Councillor Krespel
The Entail
Doge and Dogaressa
The Mines at Falun
The Choosing of the Bride

E. T. A. HOFFMAN (1776-1822) was one of the best known and most influential authors of his time. He exploited the grotesque and the bizarre in a manner unmatched by any other Romantic writer. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King was written in 1816 for his children, nephews, and nieces. View titles by E. T. A. Hoffmann

About

A lawyer by day and a creator of a world of fantasy by night, Hoffman (1776-1822) lived a Jekyll and Hyde existence. Many of the characters in his stories are subject to a similar split personality.
 
The duality of his nature is frequently reflected in some of his characters—Cardillac the goldsmith in Mademoiselle de Scudéry and Nathaniel in The Sandman, for example. Cardillac is a virtuous, industrious man by day but a violent criminal at night, while Nathaniel, obsessed by a childhood fantasy, is driven to madness and cruelty.
 
These tales can be read on several levels: as an expression of the concerns of the Romantic era, as impressive examples of German Romantic literature and as exciting works of fiction made all the more extraordinary by their concern with the supernatural and the bizarre.

Table of Contents

Tales of HoffmanIntroduction

Mademoiselle de Scudery
The Sandman
The Artushof
Councillor Krespel
The Entail
Doge and Dogaressa
The Mines at Falun
The Choosing of the Bride

Author

E. T. A. HOFFMAN (1776-1822) was one of the best known and most influential authors of his time. He exploited the grotesque and the bizarre in a manner unmatched by any other Romantic writer. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King was written in 1816 for his children, nephews, and nieces. View titles by E. T. A. Hoffmann

Books for National Depression Education and Awareness Month

For National Depression Education and Awareness Month in October, we are sharing a collection of titles that educates and informs on depression, including personal stories from those who have experienced depression and topics that range from causes and symptoms of depression to how to develop coping mechanisms to battle depression.

Read more

Horror Titles for the Halloween Season

In celebration of the Halloween season, we are sharing horror books that are aligned with the themes of the holiday: the sometimes unknown and scary creatures and witches. From classic ghost stories and popular novels that are celebrated today, in literature courses and beyond, to contemporary stories about the monsters that hide in the dark, our list

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ History Month

For LGBTQIA+ History Month in October, we’re celebrating the shared history of individuals within the community and the importance of the activists who have fought for their rights and the rights of others. We acknowledge the varying and diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community that have shaped history and have led the way for those

Read more