Man Without Qualities

Even as the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapses and the rest of Vienna shows symptoms of rebellion the Viennese nobility gathers to commemorate Emperor Franz Josef's 17th anniversary of accession in 1913. Ulrich a warrior a seducer and a scientist is at the centre of this social maze: a guy 'without traits' and thus a clever and dispassionate observer of his changing society. The Man Without Qualities (Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften) a 20th-century classic is endlessly thought-provoking perceptive and intriguing. It is a work of incalculable importance as it is half satire part visionary epic and part intellectual tour de force.