Klabund

About the Author

Klabund, the pseudonym of Alfred Henschke (1890-1928), was a prolific German Expressionist writer whose innovative works bridged poetry, drama, and prose, often infused with Eastern influences and a lyrical intensity that captured the turmoil of the early 20th century. Born in Crossen an der Oder, he studied pharmacology before turning to literature, drawing inspiration from his travels and a fascination with Asian culture, which permeated his adaptations of Chinese and Japanese tales. Despite a life cut short by tuberculosis, Klabund's output was vast, encompassing novels, plays, and libretti that challenged conventional forms and explored themes of love, fate, and human frailty. His dramatic works, such as the three-act play Xyz: Spiel zu dreien in drei Akten, exemplify his talent for blending poetic dialogue with profound emotional depth, earning him a lasting place in modernist literature.