Portrait of a Danish Conman: Otto Stein Framed within the Life and Novels of his Creator, Jacob Paludan

Frantz Leander Hansen's book about Otto Stein is a brilliant portrayal of an era of deceit and fraud in the 1920s. It explores the economics and criminal psychology of the period, focusing on the path that leads to Stein's suicide. Literary sources of inspiration, such as Herman Bang, Thomas Mann, and Fjodor Dostojevskij, are investigated, and the scam that deprived Paludan of a financial inheritance is critical to understanding the novel.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2021
Publisher: Sussex Academic Press

Frantz Leander Hansen has penned a remarkable book about Otto Stein, delving into the life and career of this enigmatic figure. Martin Zerlang, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, provides a review of the Danish edition in Scandinavian Studies, published by the University of Illinois Press. In his review, Zerlang highlights the significance of Hansen's work, emphasizing its contribution to our understanding of Otto Stein and the era he inhabited.

Jacob Paludan's Danish classic novel, Jørgen Stein, published in 1933, features a subordinate character named Otto Stein. Portrayed as a man of the town in the vibrant 1920s, Stein is a promising barrister with a penchant for small-time crime. However, his involvement in these illicit activities leads to a series of confidence tricks that escalate in scale, ultimately resulting in his downfall, decline, and tragic suicide. This literary portrayal of an era characterized by deceit and fraud serves as a cultural phenomenon, shedding light on the economics and criminal psychology of the time. Otto Stein is viewed as an ultra-topical figure, whose impact on the modern world extends across literature, philosophy, jurisprudence, and the investigation of contemporary fraudulent behavior.

The inquiry into Stein's suicide focuses on the path that led him to take his own life. Literary sources of inspiration that shaped the character of Otto Stein are investigated, with a particular emphasis on Herman Bang, Thomas Mann, and Fjodor Dostojevskij. Additionally, the author delves into Jacob Paludan's other five novels, published prior to Jørgen Stein, where seeds to Otto's character are sown. Understanding the novel and its character requires an understanding of the scam that deprived Paludan of a financial inheritance, which plays a critical role in shaping the narrative.

This novelistic example showcases Hansen's exceptional skill in merging historical events with contemporary themes, revealing a psychology of exploitation that holds profound relevance to our modern society. Through the portrayal of Otto Stein, Hansen offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, challenging our perceptions of morality, ethics, and the consequences of our actions. Jørgen Stein serves as a testament to the power of literature to shed light on the darker aspects of human nature and to inspire introspection and reflection.

Weight: 212g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789760897