
Arnold Beer is a strikingly self‑conscious young man who wanders the streets of a bustling city, earning the nickname “the elegant” despite his threadbare clothes and mismatched shoes. With a sharp, often sarcastic voice, he turns his own sartorial flaws into a public performance, laughing at himself to keep others at a distance. The opening paints a vivid picture of his restless energy—one that makes teachers cringe, classmates stare, and the city’s cafés buzz with whispered commentary.
Beyond the surface humor, the narrative delves into Arnold’s inner conflict between the expectations of his well‑off Jewish family and his impulsive, flamboyant temperament. He wrestles with questions of identity, belonging, and the absurdities of social status, all while the world around him teeters on the brink of change. Listeners are invited to follow Arnold’s early adventures, his sharp wit, and the fragile optimism that colors his first steps toward an uncertain future.
Language
de
Duration
~4 hours (287K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jana Srna, Norbert H. Langkau and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2010-12-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1884–1968
A close friend and early champion of Franz Kafka, he was also a prolific novelist, critic, composer, and cultural figure in his own right. His decision to preserve and publish Kafka’s unfinished work helped shape modern literature as readers know it today.
View all books