Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
1774
Around 140 pages
Today I finished two magnificent works. One was Main Street and the other was this little treasure. This one took me approximately an hour and I was sad that it was so short. Of course, I have to read hundreds of pages about some idiot named Tristram Shandy but this poetic novella is only around 140 pages. How is that fair?
This book is about a character named Werther who falls deeply in love with a girl named Charlotte. Alas, she is engaged to another. I do not think there are enough stories about unrequited love. Movies and books always want to throw you a bone by having some happy ending for the crusher. However, that is not how real life is (at least for me). The whole experience of rejection is hugely emotionally and makes for a really interesting subject matter.
In any case, this novel is incredibly well written. I had to keep making my sister listen to certain passages. This book is definitely worth an hour. Worth quite a lot more actually.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Goethe became one of the first internationally known literary celebrities for this book.
One of Napoleon's favorite books.
Goethe resented the success that this book had as opposed to his others. He denounced the Romantic movement that was influenced by this novel.
Started Werther-fever which led to a lot of freaky paraphernalia, I would imagine.
1 comment:
You did this one in an hour!? Wow, you are really fast, Amanda.
It was very well written, indeed. I just think Werther as a character was well over the top, so I think the book is more a critique than an endorsement of the sentimentalism.
Post a Comment