Journey to the past

Author's name: Stefan Zweig

She was no longer the same woman, and he was no longer the same man, yet they were searching for each other in a vain and fruitless pursuit, and while they were fleeing from the encounter, they were taking the trouble to find each other again in a failed imaginary attempt, like the two black shadows at the tips of their feet.

But love does not become true, mature love until it stops growing as a fetus in the darkness of the womb. Love does not become love until it comes out into the world, bravely announcing its existence with hot breaths and generous kisses. Love does not become love until it extracts recognition of itself.

This novella was found among Stefan Zweig's papers after his death and did not see the light of day until nearly three decades after his passing. Written in stages, the completed version was discovered in an apartment he was staying in in London shortly before fleeing to Latin America. First published in Germany, it was widely acclaimed after being translated into several languages.