Das Maedchen mit den dreizehn Seelen

the long version

Hedy Kempny (1895-1986), born in Gutenstein /Austria, lost her father, a physician, composer and natural scientist at the age of 9. Her intellectual but embittered young mother moved to Vienna. Hedy Kempny started confiding to her diary. She complemented her studies in piano at the Conservatory with acting lessons. In 1913 she went to work for a bank. In 1919 she wrote Arthur Schnitzler (1862-1931) In 1919 she wrote Arthur Schnitzler suggesting they go for a walk. This sparked a long friendship and the exchange of hundreds of letters. Throughout all twelve years of relationship, she remained victoriously independent even when Schnitzler revealed his binding intents and confessed to her, "You are the only woman I desire. My creativity, my spirit, everything depends upon you, redeem me..."