Author
Max Brod
1884-1968
Max Brod (1884-1968) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Max Brod
Über die Schönheit häßlicher Bilder. Ein Vademecum für Romantiker unserer Zeit
"Über die Schönheit häßlicher Bilder. Ein Vademecum für Romantiker unserer Zeit" by Max Brod is a collection of 33 essays published in 1913. The work explores nearly every aspect of modern culture through a spirit of "cheerful dilettantism," avoiding expert pretension. Written in an improvisational style, these essays address the independent wanderer, the flâneur who strolls through contemporary life. Brod embraces accessibility over expertise, creating a guide for romantics navigating the cultural landscape of their time.
Erstes Kapitel des Buches "Richard und Samuel" Die erste lange Eisenbahnfahrt (Prag-Zürich)
"Erstes Kapitel des Buches 'Richard und Samuel'" by Max Brod and Franz Kafka is a collaborative work written in 1911. Two friends, Richard and Samuel, embark on a train journey from Prague to Zurich, each recording their own perspective in diary form. Their diverging viewpoints reveal tensions beneath the surface of male friendship. When they encounter a spirited young woman named Dora, their contrasting personalities—one introspective, one outward-looking—become increasingly apparent. The collaboration ended after this single chapter, as both authors found their differences too difficult to reconcile.
Arnold Beer: Das Schicksal eines Juden
"Arnold Beer: Das Schicksal eines Juden" by Max Brod is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around the life of Arnold Beer, a vibrant young man who grapples with his identity and societal expectations as a Jewish individual. The book explores themes of youth, ambition, and the complexities of personal relationships against the backdrop of cultural and social constraints. The opening of the story introduces us to Arnold Beer as an intriguing character marked by his vivacity and an intrinsic struggle with societal perceptions. We learn about his childhood antics and lively personality, which often lead him into trouble at school. Despite his energetic and sociable nature, Arnold experiences feelings of inadequacy and a yearning for deeper connections, especially with his friends, including his complex relationship with Philipp Eisig. As he navigates through his formative years, the challenges of being a Jewish youth in a complicated social landscape begin to shape Arnold's identity, setting the stage for his ongoing quest for meaning and belonging.
Die erste Stunde nach dem Tode: Eine Gespenstergeschichte
"Die erste Stunde nach dem Tode: Eine Gespenstergeschichte" by Max Brod is a fantastical short novel written during the early 20th century. This book explores themes of death, the afterlife, and human consciousness through an unusual and eerie narrative. It combines elements of ghost stories with deep philosophical inquiry, reflecting the anxieties and contemplations of a world engulfed in change and uncertainty. The story unfolds around Baron von Klumm, a state minister, who encounters a ghostly figure shortly after a peculiar incident involving a desperate man asking for justice. The ghost, Arthur Bruchfeß, claims to have just died and discusses the confusion he faces in the afterlife, detailing his experiences and realizations as a "sylph" from another world. Throughout their dialogue, the two characters engage in a profound philosophical debate about life, morality, the nature of existence, and the gravity of human choices. As the tale progresses, Baron von Klumm grapples with his perception of reality and his own morality, ultimately realizing the implications of his actions in life as the specter recounts his experience—culminating in a haunting yet enlightening exploration of human nature just beyond the veil of existence.
Die Höhe des Gefühls: Ein Akt
"Die Höhe des Gefühls: Ein Akt" by Max Brod is a dramatic play written during the early 20th century. This engaging work explores themes of love and artistic ambition, principally focusing on the emotional journey of the protagonist, Orosmin, as he navigates his feelings and relationships within a bustling social scene. Set in a tavern atmosphere, the play captures the vibrancy of life in a city while delving into deeper existential musings surrounding love and the purpose of art. The narrative revolves around Orosmin, a young artist deeply infatuated with a maiden named Marie, as he reflects on the joys and complexities of love. His conversations with the tavern’s guests, particularly a publican and his daughter, reveal a blend of humor, whimsy, and profound philosophical insights. Orosmin experiences a transformative moment of happiness and acceptance that coincides with an invitation to the court, presenting a tension between his artistic aspirations and the tenderness of his affections. As Orosmin grapples with his newfound success and the gravity of his feelings, the interplay of camaraderie and desire bubbles to the surface, ultimately leading to a poignant conclusion that celebrates the heights of human emotion amid the mundane realities of life.
Leben mit einer Göttin : $b Roman
"Leben mit einer Göttin: Roman" by Max Brod is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book centers on a man who reflects on his all-consuming relationship with a woman named Jorinde, casting her as a near-mythical figure in his life. Through an introspective and confessional narrative addressed to his defense attorney, the main character attempts to come to terms with his inner guilt and the complexities of love, dependency, and the intertwining of sin and happiness. The opening of the novel takes the form of a letter or statement from the protagonist to his lawyer, prompted by his involvement in a criminal case. The narrator describes his inability to justify his actions to his defense and instead explores his sense of profound guilt—not so much for the crime itself, but for having surrendered his being entirely to the power of a woman. He recounts how he met Jorinde, her enchanting presence, and how she became the center point of his existence, propelling both his successes and his emotional turmoil. The initial chapters are marked by deeply personal recollections of their relationship, the ups and downs, and his struggle to reconcile love, desire, moral uncertainty, and his own limitations.
Adolf Schreiber : $b Ein Musikerschicksal
"Adolf Schreiber: Ein Musikerschicksal" by Max Brod is a biographical memoir written in the early 20th century. It portrays the gifted yet self-effacing composer and kapellmeister Adolf Schreiber as he struggles with poverty, self-doubt, and the indifferent machinery of the theater world, even as his songs reveal a rare, individual voice. The portrait blends intimate reminiscence, critical appreciation, and letters to show how a principled, hypersensitive artist repeatedly thwarted his own chances for recognition. The opening of the memoir begins with Schreiber’s drowning at Wannsee and the author’s recollection of a failed 1913 public appeal to gain him performances. It depicts Schreiber’s extreme modesty and self-sabotage—his hostility to praise, his refusal of help—set against the narrator’s fervent advocacy of his songs (notably the Altenberg settings) and memories of their shared Prague youth, early musical enthusiasms, and Jewish background. The narrative then shows how lack of money trapped him in operetta posts across provincial stages, with rare opera chances yielding no lasting change, while contacts with publishers, singers, and even Humperdinck came to nothing. His style is sketched as simple yet original, with naive-seeming harmonic turns, illustrated through cycles after Morgenstern and Liliencron and marred by misfortunes like a bungled Berlin concert. The section closes with his marital separation, a draining love affair, the humiliation of being replaced at a premiere he prepared, and a friend’s letter recounting the days leading to his suicide and the theater’s callous aftermath.