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The Wonderful History of Peter Schlemihl
Paperback
FantasyClassic FictionLiterary Fiction
ISBN13: 9781026092927
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 118
Weight: 0.39
Height: 0.25 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Wonderful History of Peter Schlemihl is a foundational work of German Romanticism that masterfully blends the elements of a folk tale with a profound psychological and philosophical study. The narrative centers on the unfortunate Peter Schlemihl, who encounters a mysterious man in gray and agrees to a life-altering bargain: he exchanges his shadow for the bottomless gold-filled purse of Fortunatus. While the promise of infinite wealth initially seems like a blessing, Schlemihl soon discovers that the loss of his shadow renders him a social pariah, leading to a life of isolation and regret.
As the protagonist attempts to navigate a society that judges him for his missing shadow, the story explores themes of identity, the spiritual cost of greed, and the search for redemption. Unlike traditional tales of devilish pacts, Adelbert von Chamisso's novella takes an unexpected turn when Schlemihl refuses to trade his soul to regain his shadow, choosing instead to find meaning in the study of the natural world using his magical seven-league boots. This work is celebrated for its imaginative depth and its poignant reflection on the human condition, making it a timeless classic of 19th-century literature. It remains a compelling allegory for the things we sacrifice in pursuit of fortune and the difficult journey toward self-acceptance.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
1 different editions
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Chamisso, Adelbert Von
Peter Schlemihl: Annotated Edition with an Introduction by Leopold Von Loewenstein-Wertheim
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Peter Schlemihl's wundersame Geschichte: mitgetheilt von Adelbert von Chamisso
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Voyage pittoresque autour du monde: Avec des portraits de sauvages d'Amérique, d'Asie, d'Afrique, et des îles du Grand océan: des paysages, des vues m
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Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte / The Wonderful History of Peter Schlemihl: German English
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The Wonderful History Of Peter Schlemihl: Translated By William Howitt
Chamisso, Adelbert Von
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Peter Schlemihl's wundersame Geschichte: mitgetheilt von Adelbert von Chamisso
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Fortunati, Glückseckel Und Wunschhütlein: Ein Spiel Von Adelbert Von Chamisso (1806)
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The Wonderful History Of Peter Schlemihl: Translated By William Howitt
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Reise Um Die Welt Mit Der Romanzoffischen Entdeckungs-expedition In Den Jahren 1815-18 Auf Er Brigg Rurik, Kapitän Otto Von Kotzebue
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Reise Um Die Welt Mit Der Romanzoffischen Entdeckungs-expedition In Den Jahren 1815-18 Auf Er Brigg Rurik, Kapitän Otto Von Kotzebue
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Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: With an introduction and notes
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The Marvellous History of the Shadowless Man
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Voyage pittoresque autour du monde: Avec des portraits de sauvages d'Amérique, d'Asie, d'Afrique, et des îles du Grand océan: des paysages, des vues m
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