The German Classics, v. 20

This collection gathers a vibrant cross‑section of early‑twentieth‑century German literature, bringing together short stories and dramatic excerpts that were shaping the stage when the world was on the brink of war. Carefully translated by scholars, the volume presents works by Jakob Wassermann, Bernhard Kellermann, Max Halbe, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Arthur Schnitzler and others, each offering a distinct voice from the era’s literary experiments. Rich black‑and‑white illustrations accompany the texts, giving listeners a visual sense of the atmosphere.

The opening story follows a weary lawyer in a sleepy Provençal town who plans a quiet retirement, only to vanish after a routine trip to settle an estate—an enigmatic start that pulls the listener into questions of fate and identity. Other selections range from a tender meditation on devotion in “God’s Beloved,” a lyrical reverie of the earth’s cycles in “Mother Earth,” and the passionate negotiations of marriage in “The Marriage of Sobeide.” A dash of humor arrives with “Tristram the Jester,” while “The Green Cockatoo” offers a subtle critique of society. Together they capture the hopeful yet uneasy spirit of a generation on the cusp of change.