Ludwig Hohl's literary production is mainly in the form of short prose writings, either short stories or brief nonfiction pieces. The 1930s seem to have been his most productive period, but much of his work was published a number of years after its composition. Relatively little new writing by Hohl was published between 1945 and his death in 1980. His work gradually became known to a younger generation of Swiss writers in the last twenty years of his life, and his fiercely independent personality also contributed to his later reputation.

Hohl was born on 9 April 1901 in Netstal, Ganton Glarus, Switzerland, to Arnold Hohl, a Protestant minister, and Magda Zweifel Hohl. After his primary education, Hohl went to the Gymnasium at Frauenfeld but left without completing the courses because of difficulties in his relationships with the school authorities. He studied privately for his school-leaving examination but failed in chemistry and physics...