Arthur Schnitzler 
Dead Are Silent 

The inspiration behind ‘Eyes Wide Shut, ‘ starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, ‘The Dead are Silent’ is a tense psychological novella. Exploring the social parameters of 19th century Vienna, Schnitzler introduces us to Franz and Emma who are having an illicit affair. One evening, they hire a carriage with tragic consequences. ‘The Dead are Silent’ is an evocative exploration of the hypocrisy of middle-class Viennese society and an unflinching dissection of the nature of grief. This novella is ideal for those new to Schnitzler’s body of work.-