Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann (1776–1822) is rightfully considered one of the most mysterious and incomprehensible writers in the history of world fiction. His works have a very special attractive force that does not weaken over time. Evidence of this is the surge of interest in his work, which has been observed recently, including in our country. The book offered to the reader’s attention was written by the modern German writer Rüdiger Safransky. He, a master of philosophical, psychologically verified biographies, managed to penetrate into the very essence of Hoffmann’s bizarre fantasies, showing him not just as a magnificent writer, far ahead of his time, but also as a multi-talented person who, by the way, in his works in some ways anticipated discoveries in the field of psychoanalysis by S. Freud.

Translation from German, introductory article and notes by V. D. BALAKIN. Translation carried out according to the publication: Safranski Rüdiger. E T. A. Hoffmann. Eine Biography. Munich; Wien, 1992.