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Pseudonymous ([personal profile] ex_pseudonymous328) wrote in [community profile] readingtheclassics2009-05-01 09:36 pm

Classic for May 2009

The Sorrows of Young Werther
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1774
Translated from German
149 pages (The Modern Library Classics)
Read or download for free at Project Gutenberg or ManyBooks

The Sorrows of Young Werther (Die Leiden des jungen Werther) is an epistolary and loosely autobiographical novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, first published in 1774; a revised edition of the novel was published in 1787. Werther was an important novel of the Sturm und Drang period in German literature, and it also influenced the later Romantic literary movement.  The book made Goethe one of the first true international literary celebrities. Toward the end of his life, a personal visit to Weimar became crucial to any young man's tour of Europe. 

The Sorrows of Young Werther was Goethe's first major success, turning him from an unknown into a celebrated author practically overnight. Napoleon Bonaparte considered it one of the great works of European literature. He thought so highly of it that he wrote a soliloquy in Goethe's style in his youth and carried Werther with him on his campaigning to Egypt. It also started the phenomenon known as the "Werther-Fieber" ("Werther Fever") which caused young men throughout Europe to dress in the clothing style described for Werther in the novel.  (Wikipedia)

 

 
Discussion Schedule - The Sorrows of Young Werther
DateChapters
May 4May 4 - June 19
May 10June 21 -  September 10
May 17October 20 - December 6
May 24The Editor to the Reader
 
avast: (Default)

[personal profile] avast 2009-05-02 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
Ahh! "It reputedly also led to some of the first known examples of copycat suicide." This is a bit juvenile, but is that a spoiler? I haven't read the book yet. Perhaps I shouldn't read any posts in the community until I've read the book?
avast: (Default)

[personal profile] avast 2009-05-02 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
True true. I just anticipated spoilers to be behind a cut. I'm not opposed to spoilers outside of a cut, I just wasn't expecting it. Would you be opposed to putting a note in the community info about spoilers being outside of cuts? Just so nobody gets surprised like I did?
avast: (Default)

[personal profile] avast 2009-05-02 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sure either way is fine: using cuts or giving a community-wide warning about spoilers. After all, it's true that when you decide to use cuts many people forget. Yet, if you don't use cuts others might not see the warning. How lovely it is, up here on this fence.
bird: (Default)

[personal profile] bird 2009-05-02 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
I just finished this book recently and enjoyed it very much. Goethe uses such beautiful language, I wish my command of German was better so I could read the original works.
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[personal profile] bird 2009-05-02 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
I have only read bits and pieces of Faust, which I intend to complete this summer. I am moving tomorrow and I have a nice break between jobs, so reading is my number one priority for the first time in far too long!
reya_starck: (Default)

[personal profile] reya_starck 2009-05-02 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
Wonderful idea for a community!

Could I make a suggestion? It may encourage more readers to join (especially in the current financial climate where, unfortunately, even the joy of a book can be considered a luxury for some) if links were given to read the chosen books online, such as at Project Gutenberg. Since the community is about reading the classics, most will be legally-available on the reputable ebook sites such as Gutenberg and ManyBooks.

The current book for the community can be found here at Gutenberg.