Oscar A. H. Schmitz's Haschisch: Erzählungen (Hashish: Stories) is a collection of short fiction from the early 20th century, all linked by the theme of the drug hashish. The book doesn't follow one plot, but instead presents different characters and scenarios where hashish acts as a catalyst.

The Story

Each story is its own little world. You might meet an artist seeking inspiration, a bored socialite looking for a thrill, or a philosopher chasing ultimate truth. They all consume hashish, and the real story begins as their perception of reality shifts. The narratives dive into their altered states: vivid hallucinations, distorted time, unlocked memories, and encounters with symbolic figures. The "conflict" is often internal—a battle between their waking self and the unbound consciousness the drug unleashes.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't a glorification of drug use. Schmitz treats it as a serious psychological and almost spiritual experiment. What grabbed me was how he uses hashish as a tool to ask big questions. Who are we when our social masks dissolve? What truths are too painful for sober thought? The characters are often lonely, searching, and a bit lost, making their journeys feel strangely relatable, even a century later. The prose has a dreamlike, descriptive quality that pulls you into their headspace.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers curious about early psychological fiction, the Weimar Republic's counter-culture, or classic literature that explores altered states of mind. If you enjoyed the introspective weirdness of H.P. Lovecraft's dream stories or the existential themes of early modernism, but wished it was more grounded in a (slightly) scientific curiosity about the mind, you'll find this fascinating. It's a unique, compact time capsule of a very specific kind of curiosity.