Eine Teufelsaustreibung, und andere Geschichten

by N. S. (Nikolai Semenovich) Leskov

"Eine Teufelsaustreibung, und andere Geschichten" by N. S. Leskov is a collection of stories likely written in the late 19th century. The narratives delve into themes of the supernatural, human folly, and the cultural landscape of Russia, focusing notably on eccentric characters and their experiences, prominently featuring the character of Ilja Fedossejewitsch, whose adventures set the tone for the stories. The opening of the collection introduces the protagonist, who recounts an extraordinary experience attending an exorcism in Moscow, an event requiring luck and special connections to witness. The narrator, a young nobleman, reflects on his family background and the influence of his mother, prompting him to visit his influential uncle. This visit quickly leads him into an unexpected excursion that reveals the uncle's larger-than-life personality and a series of comedic misadventures, setting a vivid and humorous stage for the subsequent tales in the collection.