Tales of Hoffmann by E.T.A. Hoffmann (Penguin Classics)

“Tales of Hoffmann” is actually a collection of fantastical and often macabre stories written by E.T.A. Hoffmann, a German Romantic author and composer who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The collection is known for its exploration of the supernatural, psychological themes, and elements of the uncanny.

One of the most famous stories from the collection is “The Sandman,” which tells the tale of a young man named Nathanael who becomes obsessed with the idea that a malevolent figure called the Sandman is haunting him. The story delves into themes of madness, perception, and the blurring of reality and fantasy.

Another well-known story from “Tales of Hoffmann” is “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” which served as the basis for Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet “The Nutcracker.” In Hoffmann’s version, a young girl named Marie receives a magical nutcracker doll from her godfather Drosselmeier and embarks on a journey to a fantastical realm where she encounters an army of mice led by the Mouse King.

Overall, “Tales of Hoffmann” remains a significant work in the history of German literature, admired for its imaginative storytelling and exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche.