His first literary attempt was a military work: Der Antagonismus Frankreichs und Englands vom politisch-militärischen Standpunkt (The antagonism between France and England from a political-military standpoint; Berlin, 1860). He was in his forties before he tried his hand at popular works, and first achieved notice with Peter Quidams Rheinfahrt (Peter Quidam's Rhine Journey; 1877). His numerous novels include:
- Hypochondrische Plaudereien (4th ed. 1875, new series; 3d ed. 1890)
- Randglossen zum Buch des Lebens (1876)
- Peter Quidams Rheinfahrt (Stuttgart, 1877)
- Der Zug des Todes (Elberfeld, 1878)
- Der neue Romanzero (2d ed. 1883)
- Eine moderne Abendgesellschaft, treating Jewish issues (3d ed. 1881)
- Gerke Suteminne (3d ed. 1890)
- Durch Nacht zum Licht (1887)
- Die Cis Moll Sonate (1891)
He wrote an autobiography, Skizzenbuch meines Lebens (Sketchbook of my life; Breslau, 1893–98, 2 vols.).
