Let's be clear from the start: This is not a straightforward book. 'Gesichte: Essays und andere Geschichten' is a collection of Else Lasker-Schüler's short prose pieces. Calling them 'essays' feels too formal. They are fragments, dreams, character sketches, and passionate outbursts. There's no single plot, but a consistent, mesmerizing voice guides you through her unique universe.

The Story

There isn't one story, but many glimpses. Lasker-Schüler creates a personal mythology. She writes letters to biblical figures like Joseph and the Pharaoh, imagining them as part of her bohemian circle in Berlin. She describes her own invented oriental princes and kingdoms with absolute conviction. Alongside these fantasies, she offers piercing observations of the people around her—artists, lovers, strangers on the street—and mourns the cold, modern world replacing the romantic one she adored. The 'plot' is the journey of her mind: from ecstatic creation to profound loneliness, all framed by her deep connection to her Jewish identity.

Why You Should Read It

You read this for the voice. Lasker-Schüler writes with a child's wonder and a prophet's intensity. Her love for color, rhythm, and wild imagery bleeds from her poetry into her prose. It's deeply personal. When she writes about being an outsider, you feel it in your bones. More than just beautiful writing, this book is a historical document from a vanishing world. You see the vibrant cultural life of pre-WWII Berlin, but also the creeping shadows of antisemitism and war that would eventually force her into exile. Reading her joyful, fragile creations knowing what came next adds a layer of heartbreaking poignancy.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for lovers of poetic language, fans of artists like Van Gogh or Chagall (that same expressive, emotional energy), and anyone interested in the lost world of early 20th-century European avant-garde. It's also incredibly moving for fellow 'outsiders'—the dreamers and the different. It's not a light, easy read; it demands you slow down and feel the words. But if you let it, 'Gesichte' will show you the world through the eyes of a true, unforgettable original.