The volume is a collection of contributions by renowned literary scientists on selected German-language novels from the Classical Modern Age (ca. 1890-1933). Each text is introduced individually according to a set scheme and classified within the cultural-historical context of the Classic Modern Age. Emphasis is placed on current approaches to interpretation, providing the reader with an extensive overview of the respective latest research.

Matthias Luserke-Jaqui: Einleitung; Helmut Scheuer: Theodor Fontane Effi Briest (1894/95); Nikola Roßbach: Arthur Schnitzler Leutnant Gustl (1900), Fräulein Else (1924); Fotis Jannidis: Thomas Mann Buddenbrooks (1901); Diana Schilling: Robert Walser Jakob von Gunten (1908); Sabina Becker: Rainer Maria Rilke Malte Laurids Brigge (1910); Matthias Luserke-Jaqui: Carl Einstein Bebuquin (1912); Moritz Baßler: Robert Müller Tropen (1915); Heinz Drügh: Heinrich Mann Der Untertan (1918); Oliver Jahraus: Thomas Mann Der Zauberberg (1924); Manfred Engel: Franz Kafka Der Prozeß (1925); Sikander Singh: Hermann Hesse Steppenwolf (1927); Reiner Marx: Hans Henny Jahnn Perrudja (1929); Jutta Schlich: Alfred Döblin Berlin Alexanderplatz (1929); Philip Payne : Robert Musil Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften (1930/32); Rosmarie Zeller: Erich Kästner Fabian (1931); Ariane Martin: Irmgard Keun Das kunstseidene Mädchen (1932); Mirjam Springer: Hans Fallada Kleiner Mann - was nun? (1932); Jan Andres: Joseph Roth Radetzkymarsch (1932)