Mister Galgenstrick: und andere Humoresken

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23243

Title

Mister Galgenstrick: und andere Humoresken

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Karl Ettlinger's "Mister Galgenstrick" blends biting social satire with humorous vignettes set in early 20th-century Vienna. The collection features a mischievous Indian patient named "Mister Galgenstrick" who defies medical logic, a bickering trio of Viennese friends whose political squabbles dissolve into chaos, and a witty dog owner navigating bureaucratic absurdities. With its sharp dialect, playful tone, and exploration of human folly, the book offers a lighthearted yet insightful look at class tensions, cultural clashes, and the enduring power of humor...

Summary up to 500 words

Karl Ettlinger's *Mister Galgenstrick: und andere Humoresken* opens in a bustling Viennese café, where the narrator impatiently awaits his friend, Dr. Heßberg. The doctor arrives late, agitated by a troublesome patient: an Indian man with an impossibly long name whom they mockingly call "Mister Galgenstrick." The patient refuses conventional medicine, insisting instead on "holy cow dung" as a cure. Despite the doctor's frustration, the narrator visits the patient and discovers a spirited, intelligent young man who speaks broken English and harbors deep resentment against colonial oppression. Through their conversations, the narrator learns of the patient's father, a warrior who died fighting British rule, and the patient's own harrowing journey as a stowaway on a ship bound for Europe, where he endured confinement and racial prejudice. The patient's story serves as a poignant critique of imperialism and cultural arrogance, contrasting the Europeans' self-righteousness with the colonized's resilience and dignity. The book then shifts to a series of humorous sketches. One follows Herr Pepi Bröselmeier, a dachshund owner who buries his dog's hat in a park, only to have it stolen by a park warden, leading to a comical chase and eventual reconciliation. Another sketch introduces three friends—Gustav, a socialist gardener; Schorsch, a Catholic peddler; and Fritz, a liberal cigar merchant—who gather nightly at a tavern. Their political arguments escalate into physical chaos when news of the Kaiser's speech declaring "there are no more parties, only Germans" temporarily unites them before their old habits resume. These stories highlight the absurdity of political labels and the universal human tendency toward conflict and reconciliation. Throughout, Ettlinger employs a rich Bavarian dialect and vivid imagery to create a lively, engaging narrative. The humor is often derived from the juxtaposition of high-minded ideals with base human instincts, such as the friends' inability to maintain peace over trivial matters or the patient's sarcastic observations on colonial hypocrisy. The collection concludes with a sense of warmth and camaraderie, suggesting that despite life's hardships and societal divisions, humor and friendship remain powerful forces for connection and healing.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Humorous stories
• Germany -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction
• Hessen (Hesse, Germany : Province) -- Fiction
• Bayern (Bavaria, Germany : Province) -- Fiction