The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr

Summary

The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr is an unusual novel written by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann. The book is a fictional autobiography of a cat named Murr, who, embodying a high degree of self-esteem and intelligence, narrates his life and adventures. However, the text is uniquely interwoven with fragments of a manuscript dedicated to the life and work of the fictional composer Johannes Kreisler, making the novel dual-layered. Murr, presenting his worldview, critiques human behavior and social norms, while philosophizing about animals and humans, offering a unique and satirical perspective on life.