Le Livre de Poche: L'étrange histoire de Peter Schlemihl

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Italo Calvino once expressed a desire to claim Adelbert von Chamisso's Peter Schlemiel as his own work. First published in 1814, this novel is a precursor to Poe, Kafka, and magic realism, offering a timeless fable with contemporary relevance. When a mysterious man in gray offers to buy Peter Schlemiel's "lovely, lovely shadow," Schlemiel initially thinks him mad. However, the offer of endless riches is too tempting to resist. As he embarks on what he believes to be a path to happiness, he soon discovers that without his shadow, he faces societal rejection and an inability to find love. Through a series of fantastical adventures, Schlemiel learns he must seek new meaning in life to continue in the world. Chamisso, born in France and later residing in Prussia during the Franco-Prussian war, felt a connection to both cultures. Written shortly after Prussia's defeat by Napoleon, the novel reflects Chamisso's response to a turbulent world. Its immediate success brought him international acclaim. Peter Wortsman's new translation allows readers to rediscover the charm, wit, and power of this classic tale, while his introduction provides historical context and traces the novel's influence on twentieth-century literature.