The Spirit of Temptation: A Fairy Tale

Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus), 1776-1Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.0

Word count: 219K words
Chapters: 22

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today. Kiusanhenki: Satu by E. T. A. Hoffmann. Author: Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus), 1776-1822. Language: Finnish. Class: PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures. Release Date: Oct 5, 2016

Editor's review

This is a fairy tale by E. T. A. Hoffmann presented in Finnish and classified under Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures. Hoffmann's fairy tales often embed grotesque and fantastical turns within everyday settings, creating an atmosphere poised between warmth and eeriness; this work is well suited to experiencing his narrative pleasure of "the threshold of reality being pushed open overnight." For Chinese readers, its value is twofold: first, as an entry point for understanding Hoffmann's fairy-tale style; second, as Finnish reading material for observing how a translation handles the fantastical imagery of a German text. While reading, note how the "spirit" figure indicated by the title is shaped, and how the narrator creates unease within the fairy-tale frame. Since this is a public-domain Finnish-language e-book, readers with some Finnish foundation are advised to read it directly; others may first learn about Hoffmann's creative background and then consult translations for comparison, to appreciate how his fairy tales differ from the common sweet fairy tale.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Hoffmann's fairy tales and German Romantic literature
Those with a foundation in Finnish looking for public-domain reading material to practice reading
Literature enthusiasts studying the grotesque style and fantastical narrative of fairy tales
Readers who want to understand how German works are translated into Finnish

Not a good fit for

Ordinary readers with no Finnish at all who read only Chinese
Young child readers expecting light, sweet fairy tales
Researchers needing detailed annotations and scholarly introductions

Reading tips

First understand the overall style of Hoffmann's fairy tales, then enter this text.
Finnish readers can read through once first, marking recurring images and turns.
Read alongside the German original or a reliable translation and observe the translator's choices.
After reading, write a short review noting the plot designs that made you most uneasy or surprised.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What language is this book written in?

According to Project Gutenberg information, the language of this book is Finnish; it is a Finnish version of a Hoffmann work. Chinese readers who want to read the content need Finnish ability or must consult translations in other languages for comparison.

Who is Hoffmann, and why is he worth reading?

Hoffmann is an important writer of German Romanticism, known for fairy tales and fiction that interweave fantasy and reality. His works influenced later fantasy literature and grotesque narrative; reading his fairy tales helps in understanding this tradition.

Is this fairy tale suitable for children?

Hoffmann's fairy tales often contain grotesque and gloomy elements and are not all sweet and gentle in tone. Whether it is suitable for children depends on the specific text and the child's receptiveness; parents are advised to read it themselves before deciding.

What are the features of the Gutenberg edition?

Project Gutenberg provides free electronic texts that are easy to obtain and search, but they usually do not include scholarly annotations or introductions. It is suitable for reading and language learning, not as a basis for textual scholarship.

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About the author

Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus), 1776-1 Author

E. T. A. Hoffmann (Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, 1776–1822) was a major German writer of the Romantic era whose work spans fiction, fairy tales, and fantastic stories. The library holds 17 of his works, including Nachtstücke, Der Goldene Topf, Lebensansichten des Katers Murr, Klein Zaches, genannt Zinnober, The Serapion Brethren, and The Devil's Elixir. His writing is marked by the grotesque, the supernatural, and psychological illusion, moving between reality and fantasy; it has had a lasting influence on later fantasy literature and the tradition of psychological narrative. His subjects range from fairy-tale invention to a searching look at the darker sides of human nature. Public information is limited, so no biographical details are given here; readers may approach this author through the subjects and styles of the works mentioned above.