Boys & Murderers: Collected Short FictionBoys & Murderers is the first collection of novellas and stories in English translation from Hermann Ungar, author of the highly-acclaimed novel The Maimed. A writer of unique talent whose life was prematurely ended by illness, he was much admired by Thomas Mann, who prefaces this volume, and known as the "Moravian Dostoevsky" for his analysis of the human psyche. In fiction that is often grotesque and comical, Ungar explores the depravities of the heart and delusions of the mind. Taking Prague as well as his hometown of Boskovice for his settings, he can be located in that illustrious tradition of both Prague German writers (he was associated with Max Brod in the Prague Circle) and Jewish writers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, such as Joseph Roth. Forgotten for decades, Ungar's work has experienced a renaissance over the past years with translations appearing in a number of languages and new editions appearing in German, which has placed among the greats of 20th-century European literature. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 8
Page 19
... Mayer . It had tablecloths , family pictures , a sofa and upholstered chairs . To me these rooms were the pin- nacle of earthly luxury . And Herr Mayer was the happiest of men . Today I know that he , too , was a poor man dependent upon ...
... Mayer . It had tablecloths , family pictures , a sofa and upholstered chairs . To me these rooms were the pin- nacle of earthly luxury . And Herr Mayer was the happiest of men . Today I know that he , too , was a poor man dependent upon ...
Page 21
... Mayer and his wife I saw as higher beings . Mayer had been placed over me as my master , and I was happy to oblige Stasinka , the maid . But the old men : they were my own kind ! They were no better than I ! Why should I polish their ...
... Mayer and his wife I saw as higher beings . Mayer had been placed over me as my master , and I was happy to oblige Stasinka , the maid . But the old men : they were my own kind ! They were no better than I ! Why should I polish their ...
Page 32
... Mayer . Then I said farewell to Herr and Frau Mayer . Herr Mayer said a few words to me , wishing me the best of luck and holding my hand all the while . I felt that he was the only one who was reluctant to let me go off into the ...
... Mayer . Then I said farewell to Herr and Frau Mayer . Herr Mayer said a few words to me , wishing me the best of luck and holding my hand all the while . I felt that he was the only one who was reluctant to let me go off into the ...
Contents
Preface by Thomas Mann | 9 |
Colberts Journey | 119 |
The WineTraveler | 139 |
Copyright | |
2 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
Amélie asked Austro-Prussian War barber barbershop Battle of Königgrätz began believe Berthold Viertel Biba Boskovice Boys & Murderers breasts breath Brno brother caliph called child Colbert's Journey cried dark dear Haschek death Doctor Schneeberger door doubt dream drink Ernst Rowohlt everything eyes face fate father fear feel felt Frau gave gaze gentlemen German guests halfwit hand happiness Harun al-Rashid hatred head heard heart Hermann Ungar Herr Colbert hospice hunchback innkeeper Jelinek Jewish kalleh Kleinmeyer knew laughed leave Leopold letter living looked Mayer Milada Modlizki morning mother never night once perhaps played pocket Polatschek Prague Rebinger schnapps secret seemed Sevastopol silent smile soldier Stasinka stood story stranger Suchander tell thing Thomas Mann thought took town Tulpe turned Uncle Bobek waiting walked wanted window wine wine-traveler woman word