Arthur Schnitzler's Reigen (sometimes called 'La Ronde') is a unique and cleverly structured book. It's not a traditional novel with a single plot. Instead, it's a series of ten short dialogues, each a private encounter between two people.

The Story

The structure is everything. A soldier meets a prostitute. That same soldier then has a rendezvous with a parlour maid. The maid later meets a young gentleman. This gentleman then has an affair with a young wife... and so it goes, forming a daisy chain of ten scenes. Each scene is just a conversation, often intimate, sometimes awkward, always revealing. We only see these pairs in isolation, but by the end, a hidden web of connections across Viennese society becomes clear.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was how current it feels. Schnitzler isn't just writing about sex; he's writing about performance. Every character wears a mask, playing a role for their partner—the romantic, the cynic, the innocent. You see the same person act completely differently with two different partners. It's a sharp, sometimes funny, and often uncomfortable look at the gap between our public faces and private desires. It makes you think about the little performances we all put on every day.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love character studies and don't mind a non-traditional plot. If you enjoy shows or books that explore social hypocrisy with a witty edge (think early, talky Woody Allen or certain episodes of 'Mad Men'), you'll find a kindred spirit in Schnitzler. It's a short, insightful, and brilliantly constructed peek behind the curtain of polite society.