Peter Schlemihl

by Adelbert von Chamisso

"Peter Schlemihl" by Adelbert von Chamisso is a novella written in 1814. In this cautionary tale, a man sells his shadow to the Devil for a bottomless wallet, only to discover that a shadowless existence brings rejection and isolation. As society shuns him and love eludes him, Schlemihl must confront the true cost of his bargain. When offered a chance to reclaim his shadow, he faces an even darker choice that will determine his soul's fate.