Rainer Maria Rilke's long short story Ewald Tragy can be classified as an "artist's roman". With its dark autobiographical detail it will appeal to readers interested in the birth of the artist. The first part of the story, based on autobiographical fact, describes the peculiar relation between the young man and his father, who refuses to walk beside his son, each time crossing the street to walk alone on the pavement across, though on a parallel course. This chapter concludes with the description of a tea gathering in the family, and the choking atmosphere which oppresses the young Ewald. In the next chapter, Ewald has moved and lives on his own. He sets out to work hard as an artist. His early published work brings him into contact with an admirer, Kranz. They become friends, but it is Thalmann, not Kranz who fascinates Ewald. Thalmann is presented as a very strong, independent character, a dark power whom Ewald admires and fears.

Ewald Tragy, probably written in 1899, evokes the atmosphere of late-nineteenth century Prague or Vienna, the influence of Nietzsche and Schiele. ( )