Adelbert von Chamisso Books

The narrative unfolds a sense of wonder and disbelief as the protagonist witnesses a series of astonishing events. A character named Adelbert produces three magnificent horses from his pocket, following an array of seemingly impossible items, including a letter-case and a large pavilion. This surreal ability evokes both unease and fascination, hinting at themes of magic and the extraordinary in everyday life. The story explores the boundaries of reality and the unexpected marvels that can emerge from the mundane.

Unsuccessful in his ambitions, the young and naive Peter Schlemihl seals a pact with the Devil in which he exchanges his shadow for the purse of Fortunatus, thereby gaining everlasting riches. But when he is ridiculed, persecuted, and hated for being different from other men, he realizes that poverty is easier to bear than the loss of his peace of mind. Originally written as a cautionary tale for the children of Chamisso s patron, this amusing and poignant tale was hailed by contemporaries as a masterpiece with a wide adult appeal."

The story follows Peter Schlemihl, a young man who naively trades his shadow for wealth, gaining a magical purse that grants him endless riches. However, his newfound fortune comes with a heavy price, as he faces ridicule and ostracism for his unusual condition. Ultimately, Peter learns that the loss of his shadow brings greater suffering than the poverty he sought to escape, highlighting themes of identity, societal acceptance, and the true cost of material wealth.

The most famous of Adelbert von Chamisso's works, about a man who sells his shadow to the devil. It was written partly to divert his own thoughts and partly to amuse the children of his friend Ferdinand Hitzig. Schlemihl is also a synonym of one who makes a desperate or silly bargain.

Wie viele Autoren braucht es, um einen Roman so richtig zu vergeigen? Vier Romantiker planen, gemeinsam einen Roman zu schreiben: Hoffmann, Chamisso, Salice-Contessa, Fouqué. Eine Handlungsskizze ist schnell entworfen, ein Anfang schnell geschrieben, aus dem sich alles Weitere – wie man annimmt: zwingend – ergeben wird. Doch dann erschlägt der zweite Autor die wichtigste Figur des ersten, der dritte Autor schickt die Nebenfiguren nach Polen und der vierte lässt vollkommen unmotiviert eine wahnsinnige Hexe mit einem weissagenden Raben auftreten. Ein heilloses literarisches Durcheinander, genial verplant, hochamüsant!

Die Buchreihe TREDITION CLASSICS des Verlags tredition aus Hamburg bringt Werke aus über zwei Jahrtausenden zurück in den Druck, die oft vergriffen oder antiquarisch waren. Ziel ist die Bewahrung der Literatur und Kultur, um Klassiker der Weltliteratur nicht in Vergessenheit geraten zu lassen.