Rainer Maria Rilke and Franz Kafka remained largely untouched by the horrors of World War I, yet their individual fates reflected the tragedy of the early 20th century in the form of a fatal illness. As their hope for physical recovery dwindled, both perceived their experience of illness as an existential challenge, largely rejecting medical and therapeutic aids in favor of activating inner healing and transformation forces. In his biographical reflections, Peter Selg connects their respective life paths and individual experiences of illness—experienced by Kafka as the manifestation of hidden wounds—into a portrait of both artists that reveals surprising traits and unknown nuances. Personal experiences and testimonies from Rilke and Kafka at crucial turning points in their lives.