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"A satirical masterpiece of dual narratives – Hoffmann’s inventive novel that intertwines the memoirs of a learned cat with the life of a tormented composer.
In The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr, E. T. A. Hoffmann presents a unique literary experiment: the autobiography of an erudite feline, Murr, whose manuscript is accidentally interleaved with the biography of the melancholic musician Johannes Kreisler. This juxtaposition creates a rich tapestry of humor, irony, and philosophical musings.
Murr's self-important and often comically misguided reflections contrast sharply with Kreisler's introspective and troubled existence, offering a commentary on the nature of art, identity, and the human (and feline) condition. Hoffmann's novel is a pioneering work that challenges narrative conventions and invites readers to question the reliability of storytelling.
After listening to this book, you will learn:
• the innovative narrative structure that blends two distinct stories;
• insights into Romantic-era views on art and individuality;
• the use of satire to critique societal norms and pretensions;
• the exploration of duality in character and narrative voice;
• the enduring influence of Hoffmann's experimental storytelling.
The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr is a whimsical yet profound novel that continues to captivate readers with its originality and depth."
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Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (1776–1822), best known by his pen name E. T. A. Hoffman, was one of the major writers in the Romantic movement in literature. Born on January 24, 1776, in Königsberg, Prussia, he was the youngest of three children. He also was known as a jurist, composer, music critic, draftsman, and caricaturist. His most famous story is “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” first published in 1816. The story inspired Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet The Nutcracker. Hoffmann died in Berlin, Germany on June 25, 1822, at the age of 46.