A New York Review Books Original
In 1905 the young Swiss writer Robert Walser arrived in Berlin to join
his older brother Karl, already an important stage-set designer, and
immediately threw himself into the vibrant social and cultural life of
the city. Berlin Stories collects his alternately celebratory, droll,
and satirical observations on every aspect of the bustling German
capital, from its theaters, cabarets, painters' galleries, and literary
salons, to the metropolitan street, markets, the Tiergarten,
rapid-service restaurants, and the electric tram. Originally appearing
in literary magazines as well as the feuilleton sections of newspapers,
the early stories are characterized by a joyous urgency and the
generosity of an unconventional guide. Later pieces take the form of
more personal reflections on the writing process, memories, and
character studies. All are full of counter-intuitive images and
vignettes of startling clarity, showcasing a unique talent for whom no
detail was trivial, at grips with a city diving headlong into modernity.