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The short stories and novellas selected in this book are all masterpieces of Hoffmann. Among them, the novella "Miss Scoudeli" is set in Paris during the reign of Louis XIV in the 17th century. It tells a bizarre story about an eccentric artist. It was hailed by some critics as "the first important detective novel" in German literature and had a certain influence on future generations of such novels. "Beautiful Mandala" tells a bizarre marriage and love story of a young college student. "Cousin's Corner Window" is a conversational novel about an episode in the life of a seriously ill, quadriplegic writer in his twilight years. "The Golden Vase" and "The Legend of Zack the Dwarf" are both artistic fairy tales. The former uses a humorous style to describe how a college student escapes from the depressing philistine environment and escapes to a whimsical and wonderful kingdom; the latter criticizes the current social ills and the corruption of the feudal court through the experience of a character who has no real talent and only knows how to cheat and bluff. It is Hoffmann's most cherished masterpiece and the most important satirical work of the German Romantics.

E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776-1822) was an important writer of the late German Romantics. Most of his works are mysterious and grotesque, using exaggerated techniques to satirize and expose reality. The alienation of interpersonal relationships described and the techniques used such as free association, inner monologue, exaggerated absurdity, and multi-layered structures have a deep relationship with later modernist literature. The literary creations of later generations and literary genres such as magical realism, stream of consciousness, and absurdism were all greatly influenced by him. The four novels included in this book have different styles and themes. "Choosing a Fiancée" is a realistic novel that mocks the philistines and mediocrity in the real society at that time; "Miss Scodelly" is a historical novel that writes an anecdote in the Louis XIV era of France; "The Dwarf" "Chaches" is a fairy tale novel, which profoundly exposes the shady scenes and ugliness in the palace; while "Monster" is a magic novel, about a Prussian officer who was affected by witchcraft and showed a series of weird behaviors, reflecting people's hope that monsters can change people's destiny.