Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffman, (the A in his pen name stands for Amadeus, out of admiration for Mozart), was one of the most influential German writers in his time. He is credited with instigating the Romantic movement, creating the first detective story, introducing themes of the supernatural and psychological abnormality to the literary world, and inspiring many eminent writers and composers. Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" is based on his "Nutcracker and Mouse King". Hoffmann had a taste for the macabre, lending to tales that interweave fantasy with realism. This collection of stories, his "Weird Tales", includes "Mademoiselle de Scudéri," the story of an illusive master goldsmith who will go to violent lengths to not be parted from his creations; "Signor Formica," the hilarious tale of the famous Italian artist Salvator Rosa and his assistance in the marriage of two friends; "The Sand-man" and many others. All told this edition brings together the eleven tales contained in volumes one and two of Hoffmann's "Weird Tales".

Notwithstanding the popularity which several of Hoffmann's tales have obtained in many different countries, we are not aware of any complete or accurate translation of his works. In England they have become known in a very partial form, chiefly by the appearance of a few isolated tales in association with those of other writers, as in the 'Specimens of German Romance,' or in Gillies' 'German Stories,' which were published about 1830. Others are familiar only through the medium of a translation from a previous French version, as is the case with the well-known 'Nutcracker,'--and in this process of double dilution the Author's name has sometimes disappeared altogether. The most important attempt to present this writer to English readers is the recent publication of two volumes entitled 'Hoffmann's Weird Stories,' which contain eleven tales seven being from the Serapions-Brüder, two from the Nachtstücke, and two from other parts of his works. These stories are all separated from the setting in which, as in the present volume, they for the most part appeared, and the translator has not aimed at any completeness or method in their selection. The first attempt to give English readers a satisfactory idea of Hoffmann's work in its completeness is inaugurated by the present volume, which will be followed by the remaining portion of the Serapion Brethren, and in due course it is hoped by other portions of his works. Musicians will be interested by the fulness with which the Author's views on musical subjects so much in advance of his age, and so just and accurate are developed in many places, such as the dialogue called "The Poet and the Composer," and the conversation which precedes the tale "Master Martin." It would be of much interest could any of Hoffmann's numerous musical compositions be brought to light at the present day; they appear to have been considerably in advance of their period, although Weber's critique on one of Hoffmann's operas is full of high praise. A. E. Taunton, September, 1886.

Among the greatest writers of fantasy and a major figure in late German Romanticism, Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann (1776–1822) created an extraordinary world of fantasy, poetry, and the supernatural. Remarkable characters come vividly to life in imaginative tales that move from the firm ground of reality to ambiguity, mystery, and romance. This volume contains two of his best tales. "The Nutcracker," a charming Christmas story which has become a perennial favorite for young and old alike, presents such memorable characters as the beloved Godpapa Drosselmeier, the brave Nutcracker, and the evil Mouse-King. "The Golden Pot," Hoffmann's first major literary work (and widely regarded as his finest), successfully blends reality and fantasy in a story that details the invasion of supernatural forces into everyday life. A master of allegory and symbolism, Hoffmann has long been popular in Europe. This volume now introduces a portion of his remarkable work to an even wider...

Macabre and fantastical, Hoffmann’s wildly imaginative tales offer an unflinching view of human nature and sing clearer than ever in a masterful new translationWhether a surrealist exploration of the anxieties surrounding automation, or a mystery concerning a goldsmith, missing jewels, and a spate of murders, each tale in this collection reveals the complexities of human desire and fear.Hoffman, whose most famous work is “The Nutcracker,” is often compared to Edgar Allan Poe. Hoffman’s massive influence qualifies him as the godfather of the German Romantic Movement which led to the horror genre.The macabre, fantastical nature of his subject matter inspired a broad swath of culture, with two of the longer stories in this collection “The Sandman” and “The Automaton” influencing Philip K. Dick’s original inspiration for Blade Runner. The murder mystery “Mademoiselle de Scudéry” is perhaps one...

A German author of fantasy and Gothic horror, E. T. A. Hoffmann wrote original and spine-chilling tales that highly influenced nineteenth-century literature, confirming his status as one of the major authors of the Romantic movement. His story 'Das Fräulein von Scuder' is often cited as the first detective story and his novella 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King' went on to inspire Tchaikovsky's celebrated ballet. Hoffmann was a pioneer of the fantasy genre, with a taste for the macabre combined with realism that influenced such authors as Poe, Gogol, Dickens, Baudelaire, Dostoevsky and Kafka. This eBook presents Hoffmann's collected works, with numerous illustrations, rare texts appearing in digital print for the first time, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Hoffmann's life and works* Concise introductions to the novels and other texts* 3 novels, with individual...

E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776-1822) was perhaps one of the two or three greatest of all writers of fantasy. His wonderful tales, translated into many languages and adapted into numerous stage works, have delighted readers for a century and a half. They open our eyes to an extraordinary world of fantasy, poetry, and the supernatural. Remarkable characters come vividly to life. With exciting speed, Hoffmann moves from the firm ground of reality to ambiguity, mystery, and romance. His imaginativeness is unsurpassed, and his handling of allegory, symbolism, and mysticism is unusually skillful. These qualities make his tales some of the most stimulating and enjoyable in the world's literature. They can be read on many levels of enjoyment; as exciting fiction brilliantly told, as a fascinating statement of many of the major concerns of the Romantic era, and as a culmination of German Romantic literature. This collection contains ten of his best tales: "The Golden Flower Pot,"...

Tomcat Murr is a loveable, self-taught animal who has written his own autobiography. But a printer's error causes his story to be accidentally mixed and spliced with a book about the composer Johannes Kreisler. As the two versions break off and alternate at dramatic moments, two wildly different characters emerge from the confusion - Murr, the confident scholar, lover, carouser and brawler, and the moody, hypochondriac genius Kreisler. In his exuberant and bizarre novel, Hoffmann brilliantly evokes the fantastic, the ridiculous and the sublime within the humdrum bustle of daily life, making The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr (1820-22) one of the funniest and strangest novels of the nineteenth century.

"Strange man, how can you have eyes for sale? Eyes? Eyes?" 'The disturbing tale of a young man's obsession with the Sandman, stealer of eyes, which has inspired writers from Sigmund Freud to Neil Gaiman.One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.