Kleider machen Leute

This delicious and profound story of a poor tailor, who is mistaken for a count due to his well-groomed appearance, is one of Keller's most famous novellas. The entire town competes to pay their respects to the supposed count, who increasingly masters the role he actually longs to escape from. However, once he becomes engaged to Nettchen, the daughter of the district councilor, it becomes impossible for him to break free from the role. Despite her father's opposition, his fiancée remains loyal to him, even when he is ultimately unmasked. In Goldach, the poor tailor eventually achieves well-deserved prosperity. This novella by Keller has inspired a number of famous film adaptations.