De Gouden Vaas

Name: De Gouden Vaas
Author: E. T. A. Hoffmann

By E. T. A. Hoffmann

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German Literature Romance Science-Fiction & Fantasy

About This Book

A young student named Anselmus in Dresden drifts from mundane clerkly life into encounters with a mysterious archivist and an enchanted woman who appears as both serpent and lover; magical objects, notably a golden vessel, and visionary episodes blur ordinary reality and the supernatural. The tale alternates realist street scenes with dreamlike intrusions and comic satires of bureaucratic and academic pretensions, tracing his inner transformation as he wrestles with temptation, artistic calling, and the choice between prosaic security and imaginative transcendence.

About the Author

E. T. A. Hoffmann

E. T. A. Hoffmann was a German author, composer, and jurist, known for his contributions to the early Romantic movement in literature. His works often blend the fantastical with the psychological, exploring themes of the uncanny and the surreal. Hoffmann's notable works include "The Devil's Elixir," a tale that delves into the duality of human nature, and "The Serapion Brethren," which showcases his unique narrative style and imaginative storytelling. His influence extends beyond literature into music and the visual arts, making him a pivotal figure in the cultural landscape of the 19th century.