Robert Musil Books

November 6, 1880 – April 15, 1942

This Austrian author's early work drew inspiration from his own experiences at military boarding schools, which were vividly depicted in his first novel. His writings delve into profound psychological territories, often exploring the complexities of human identity and perception. Later in his career, his prose became increasingly ambitious, tackling vast philosophical inquiries and social commentary. His distinctive analytical style and intellectual rigor mark him as a significant voice in modern literature.

Picador Classics - 1: The Man Without Qualities

Picador Classics - 1: The Man Without Qualities
Volume One
365 pages
13 hours of reading
4.3(2409)Add rating
Contains: A Sort of Introduction The Like of it Now Happens (I)"It would be useless to attempt a synopsis of Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften, not only because of its length and complexity, but also because the real action lies not on the surface, in what the characters do (though that is often dramatic enough), but within, in their states of mind, the fluctuations of their emotions, their theories, and the counterpoint between the thoughts and the behaviour of them all, in themselves and in relation to each other, especially to the Man without Qualities himself, who is the nucleus, and in relation to the demands of the indefinable pattern of this world we live in."(From the Foreword by the translators)
The Man Without Qualities
454 pages
16 hours of reading
4.2(5296)Add rating
"Musil belongs in the company of Joyce, Proust, Kafka, and Svevo. . . . (This translation) is a literay and intellectual event of singular importance."--New Republic.
The Confusions of Young Toerless
3.2(6)Add rating
One of the great short novels of the early twentieth century. It is a novel of youth; a novel of growing up; and it casts an unflinching look at the world.
The Confusions of Young Törless
208 pages
8 hours of reading
3.8(5262)Add rating
Set in a boarding school in a remote area of the Habsburg Empire at the turn of the last century, The Confusions of Young Torless is an intense study of an adolescent's psychological development as he struggles to come to terms with his conflicting emotions. Through his relationship with two other boys Torless is led into sadistic and sexual encounters with a third pupil which both repel and fascinate him. Estranged from everyday life, Torless gradually learns to accept his experiences and describe them with analytical precision.
Five Women
288 pages
11 hours of reading
3.1(8)Add rating
A stunning collection of Musil's vivid and enticing stories, looking at love, desire and the heart of humanity.
Drei Frauen
3.5(342)Add rating
The Man Without Qualities 1-3
3 volumes
Theater Symptoms
Plays and Writings on Drama
622 pages
22 hours of reading
Robert Musil, primarily recognized for his modernist novel, also made significant contributions as a playwright and drama critic during 1921-1929. His theatrical works and critical essays are deeply intertwined with his broader literary endeavors and reflect his dedication to art as a vital social and cultural force. These plays and writings are not merely supplementary; they are essential to understanding his artistic vision and serve as a foundation for his renowned unfinished novel.
Gesammelte Werke 3
4.7(19)Add rating
Mann ohne Eigenschaften. Tl.1
5.0(3)Add rating
Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften ist das Hauptwerk Robert Musils und gilt als einer der einflussreichsten Romane des 20. Jahrhunderts. Dieser Torso zeigt wie sich Erzählen und essayistische Welterfassung zu einer erhellenden Einheit finden.