
A writer stares at an immaculate sheet of paper, treating it as both a blank canvas and a threatening presence. The opening spirals through frantic reflections on the act of writing, peppered with absurd slogans, mock‑instructional verses, and a biting satire of contemporary literature. The prose oscillates between lyrical reverie and cracked humor, inviting listeners into a mind that teeters between genius and madness.
In the dim glow of a flickering candle, the poet Ephraim struggles to launch his own novella, only to be confronted by a thin‑voiced stranger, Fedor Ignaz Deichsel, who claims the same opening line. Their uneasy meeting evolves from silent stares to a tentative camaraderie, hinting at a collaboration that may reshape their creative impulses. The atmosphere remains tense and enigmatic, promising a blend of introspective monologue and quirky dialogue that pulls the listener deeper into the writer’s haunted study.
Language
de
Duration
~1 hours (81K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jens Sadowski
Release date
2014-01-07
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1889–1969
Known for sharp humor and a satirical eye, this German writer moved easily between novels, plays, journalism, and screenwriting. His work helped shape popular literary comedy in the first half of the 20th century.
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