The Story

There isn't one single plot. Zaubermärchen (which translates to 'Magic Fairy Tales') is a collection of very short, prose-poem-like stories. They take the basic shapes of folk tales—encounters with magical beings, journeys into strange woods, moments of transformation—and fill them with a modern sense of despair and dislocation. Characters feel lost and heavy with melancholy, even in magical settings. The magic itself feels less like wonder and more like a symptom of a deep, personal ache.

Why You Should Read It

I picked this up on a whim and couldn't put it down. Ehrenstein's writing is incredibly dense and vivid. In just a paragraph, he can build a whole mood of longing or dread. It's not a relaxing read, but it's a powerful one. These tales feel like emotional x-rays. They strip away the comforting 'happily ever after' of traditional fairy tales to ask what we're really running from, or longing for, in those stories. It's art from a world about to be shattered by war, and you can feel that tension on every page.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love atmospheric, poetic short fiction and aren't afraid of a little gloom. If you enjoy the eerie vibes of M.R. James, the condensed punch of flash fiction, or the emotional rawness of early 20th-century art movements, this hidden gem is for you. It's a small book with a very big, haunting presence.