
audiobook
A witty, self‑aware narrator bemoans the relentless teasing he endures about his size, turning every insult into a tongue‑in‑cheek proclamation of “hereditary embonpoint.” Determined to prove his critics wrong, he embarks on a trip to the famed spa town of Marienbad, convinced that a strict “magerkur” will finally tip the scales in his favor. His plans are accompanied by a parade of sarcastic remarks and a resolve that borders on theatrical, setting the stage for a light‑hearted battle of willpower versus indulgence.
Upon arrival, the narrator finds himself caught between opulent banquets and the promise of rapid weight loss. He navigates bustling train stations, pompous carriage drivers, and a maze of “perfect” weighing rooms that seem to mock his every move. Between lavish meals, a bottle of champagne, and a stubbornly stubborn scale, his comedic commentary turns the ordinary spa experience into a series of absurd, yet relatable, episodes about pride, perseverance, and the ever‑present lure of comfort food.
Language
de
Duration
~4 hours (280K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Peter Becker and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2015-10-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1926
A former Hamburg schoolteacher who turned everyday life, childhood, and education into warmly observed stories, he became one of the most widely read German authors of his day. His best-known books follow the partly autobiographical figure Asmus Semper from youth into adult life.
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