The first part of the book presents a systematically reasoned typology of the various forms of narrative self-reflection. The second section draws on this typology for a discussion of the various formulations of narrative poetics to be found in the literature in German. A number of detailed analyses of literary works ranging from the beginnings of modern fictional narrative and taking us beyond its self-declared demise up to the immediate present serve as a basis for the discussion of the historical evolution of narrative fiction and its special situation in the 'age of simulation'.