Caspar Hauser oder die Trägheit des Herzens

Caspar Hauser oder die Trägheit des Herzens is a novel by Jakob Wassermann, published in 1906. It tells the story of the mysterious figure Kaspar Hauser, who appeared in Nuremberg in 1828 as a seemingly mentally impaired teenager claiming to have been imprisoned in a dark room for most of his life. The narrative explores themes of identity, society's treatment of the outsider, and the enigma surrounding Hauser's origins, including speculation that he was the rightful heir to the throne of Baden. The novel reflects the social and psychological issues of the Biedermeier era and remains notable for its exploration of human isolation and curiosity.