Quisisana; or, Rest at Last

"Quisisana; or, Rest at Last" by Friedrich Spielhagen is a story set in the late 1800's where we meet a sick man named Bertram and his servant Konski, as they prepare for a visit from Lydia, a lady from Bertram's past that brings excitement and tension to the story. The book examines ideas of love, what it means to lose somethin, and how difficult relationships can be, especially as Bertram deals with mistakes from his past and looks forward to future relationships. We learn that a fed up Bertram isn't taking care of himself in order to overcome his illness or advice from his doctor. Konski, Bertram's servant, cares for him while sharing gossip about Lydia's return, someone who Bertram seems to want to avoid. Bertram reflects on past relationships, like with Lydia, his feeling old, and regrets. This is just the start for the characters as they now are dealing with past feelings and keeping up with social expectations.