Master Flea

The timid Peregrinus Tyss encounters the mysterious Dörtje Elverdink in a house where he brings gifts one Christmas evening. Dörtje says she is in trouble and asks him to take her home. Meanwhile, a flea trainer and microscope master in the city complains that his fleas and his beautiful nephew Dörtje have disappeared. Peregrinus Tyss's friend, George Pepusch, is also searching for Dörtje, whom he claims is Princess Gamameh of Famagusta. Peregrinus becomes close to Master Flea, who has been captive for a long time in the hands of the flea tamer and now asks for his protection. Flea is running away from the beautiful Dortje, who is actually Princess Gamaeh, and tells Peregrinus that Dortje should never take him. Otherwise, the people of Piraeus will be condemned to captivity forever. Although Peregrinus is impressed by Dörtje, he promises to protect Master Pire.
In Master Flea, which was first censored and published in 1822, Hoffmann presents one of the outstanding examples of the art tale, the favorite literary genre of German romanticism. Master Flea, in which Hoffmann caricatures the demagogic elements dominant in Prussia of the period, is a real satire adorned with fantastic elements.

(From the Promotional Bulletin)

Dough Type: 2nd Dough

Number of Pages: 200

Size: 12.5 x 19.5

First Print Year: 2019

Number of Printings: 1st Edition