Let's be clear from the start: this isn't a book with a traditional plot. 'Wenn mein Herz gesund wär' is a mosaic. Published in 1944, it's one of the last collections by Else Lasker-Schüler, written while she was in exile in Jerusalem, far from her native Germany. The pieces inside are a mix of short stories, autobiographical fragments, fairy tales, and letters. They jump from memories of her bohemian life in pre-war Berlin cafés, to biblical reimaginings, to aching reflections on her loneliness and ill health.

The Story

There's no single narrative thread. Instead, the book builds a portrait of the artist through glimpses. You'll read about her alter ego, 'Prince Jussuf of Thebes,' a figure from her rich fantasy world. You'll feel the sting of poverty as she describes selling her drawings to get by. There are tender moments about friendship and lost love, and stark, painful passages about watching the world she knew crumble into fascism and war. The 'story' is the story of a heart and mind trying to stay whole while everything falls apart.

Why You Should Read It

You read this for the voice. Lasker-Schüler's writing is immediate and emotional. It doesn't feel dated. When she writes 'If my heart were healthy, I would build a silver house for you,' you feel that longing. She was a rule-breaker, both in life and in her work, blending poetry with prose, reality with myth. Reading her feels like getting a masterclass in seeing the world with more wonder and more courage. In an age of careful curation, her unguarded, messy, beautiful honesty is a shock to the system—in the best way.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for poetry lovers, for anyone interested in Weimar Germany or exile literature, and for readers who love immersive, voice-driven writing. It's for people who don't mind a book that challenges a linear format. It's not a light, easy read—it's a deeply personal, sometimes difficult, and ultimately rewarding conversation with a brilliant artist. Keep an open mind, let the language wash over you, and you'll discover a writer you'll never forget.