The monk and the hangman's daughter

Ambrose Bierce

1842–1913

Best known for sharp wit and unsettling stories, this American writer turned his Civil War experience into some of the most memorable fiction of the 19th century. His work mixes dark humor, psychological tension, and a famously skeptical view of human nature.

Richard Voss

1851–1918

Best known in his day for novels and plays that reached a wide German audience, he wrote with a strong feel for drama, history, and the landscapes of southern Europe. His work moved between the stage and the novel, and titles like Zwei Menschen helped make him a popular literary figure around the turn of the 20th century.