The German-language short story offers a deep insight into the world of short and very short stories, which often convey great emotions and new perspectives with just a few words. This book examines the development and diversity of the short story in German literature, including influences from Austrian and Swiss literature as well as their foreign-language counterparts. It is aimed at students and educators, providing clear, comprehensible interpretations and genre-typological definitions that are useful for lesson preparation. The innovative approach to the short story encourages questioning and redefining existing literary categories. The author, Anne-Rose Meyer, guides readers through the various epochs and styles that have shaped this fascinating literary genre.