Eight Tales of Hoffmann

by E.T.A. Hoffmann, J.M. Cohen (Translator)

Contents

Introduction (Eight Tales of Hoffmann) • essay by J. M. Cohen
The Lost Reflection • novelette by E. T. A. Hoffmann (trans. of Die Abenteuer der Silvester-Nacht 1815)
The Sandman • novelette by E. T. A. Hoffmann (trans. of Der Sandmann 1816)
The Jesuit Church at Glogau • short story by E. T. A. Hoffmann (trans. of Die Jesuiterkirche in G. 1817)
The Deserted House • novelette by E. T. A. Hoffmann (trans. of Das öde Haus? 1817)
Councillor Krespel • novelette by E. T. A. Hoffmann (trans. of Rath Krespel 1818)
The Mines of Falun • novelette by E. T. A. Hoffmann (trans. of Die Bergwerke zu Falun 1819)
A Ghost Story • short story by E. T. A. Hoffmann (trans. of Eine Spukgeschichte 1819)
Gambler's Luck • novelette by E. T. A. Hoffmann (trans. of Spielerglück? 1819)

Genres: German Literature

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1819

About the author

Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann, better known by his pen name E. T. A. Hoffmann (Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann), was a German Romantic author of fantasy and horror, a jurist, composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist. His stories form the basis of Jacques Offenbach's famous opera The Tales of Hoffmann, in which Hoffman appears (heavily fictionalized) as the hero. He is also the author of the novella The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, on which the famous ballet The Nutcracker is based. The ballet Coppélia is based on two other stories that Hoffmann wrote, while Schumann's Kreisleriana is based on Hoffmann's character Johannes Kreisler.

Hoffmann's stories were very influential during the 19th century, and he is one of the major authors of the Romantic movement.

Reviews

[Kek-w Kek-w · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of the stories n the middle of this anthology dragged a little, so I put it down for several months -- actually, a bit longer than that LOL -- then re-read when I was in the right mood. The final 2 or 3 stories were wonderfully odd and creepy, like a European, superstition-shrouded version of Poe.

[Peter Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of 18th century 'mystery' stories probably more than I should have. Continues a theme of me really only reading pre-20th century fiction. It's very much in the vein of Tales of the Unexpected.