"Selections from the Memoirs of Satan (Volume One)" is Wilhelm Hauff's masterful 1826 blend of Gothic literature, social satire, and supernatural storytelling, now available in a carefully annotated English translation.

This edition features extensive footnotes and commentary that illuminate the historical, cultural, and literary context of Hauff's work. The translator's comprehensive foreword places the novel within its fascinating historical moment - the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars and the conservative reaction marked by the Carlsbad Decrees of 1819.

In this wickedly entertaining work, Satan himself becomes a sophisticated narrator and social critic, offering witty observations on everything from university life to salon culture in early 19th-century Germany. As he moves through various social circles, including fashionable Berlin salons and scholarly discussions with Goethe, the Devil exposes the pretensions, follies, and hypocrisies of Romantic-era society.

The novel belongs to a unique subgenre of Gothic literature featuring Satan as narrator, but Hauff's version stands out for its clever satire of contemporary German literature, student life, and political tensions. Through interconnected stories and multiple narrators, the author creates a rich tapestry that both embraces and parodies the literary conventions of his day.

This annotated translation preserves both the letter and spirit of Hauff's original text while making it accessible to modern readers. Perfect for scholars, students, and general readers interested in:

• German Romantic literature
• Gothic fiction and supernatural tales
• Historical satire and social commentary
• Early 19th-century European culture
• Literary criticism and parody