Die Neuen Leiden Des Jungen Werther

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 · 2,730 ratings  · 117 reviews

Start your review of Dice neuen Leiden des jungen Due west.

Edgar Wiebau is the perfect German democratic republic male child: disciplined, clean-cut, obedient. Until that is, he runs away from home and goes to Berlin where he lives in an abased summer business firm and spends a brief flavor of youthful rebellion during which he falls in love with a black-eyed kindergarten teacher and relives in an ironic and self-conscious way the sorrows of Goethe's romantic hero Werther.

Told mainly by Edgar himself who, information technology should be noted, is (view spoiler)[ at this stage expressionless later a freak incident i

Edgar Wiebau is the perfect GDR boy: disciplined, make clean-cut, obedient. Until that is, he runs abroad from abode and goes to Berlin where he lives in an abandoned summer business firm and spends a brief flavor of youthful rebellion during which he falls in beloved with a black-eyed kindergarten instructor and relives in an ironic and cocky-conscious mode the sorrows of Goethe's romantic hero Werther.

Told mainly by Edgar himself who, it should be noted, is (view spoiler)[ at this stage expressionless after a freak incident involving electricity and an experimental spray pigment machine (hide spoiler)], the novel retraces in its few pages his adventures and encounters by intertwining his narrative voice from 'The Peachy Beyond' with that of his estranged father who meets and questions the people who knew Edgar in Berlin in society to unravel the mystery of his son'south life and death.

Another important narrative voice in the book is that of Goethe himself - Edgar falls into the habit of memorising unabridged passages from The Sorrows of Young Werther and then uses them either to engage people in conversation or to update his friend Willy back habitation by means of recorded tapes sent in the post. His irreverent mental attitude towards this staple of European literature - whose plot is replicated rather closely by Ulrich Plenzdorf - is a true delight to behold.

Edgar is a lovely creation, a sort of Gdr'south Holden Caulfield (to whom he refers extensively in his narration) but he's as well afloat in life, only like his other literary hero Robinson Crusoe. The recounting of his short life is boastful and tender, sardonic and lamentable. It pokes fun at the stifling construction of the High german Democratic Republic whilst at the aforementioned time painting an endearing portrait of youthful rebellion.

The affair I've most enjoyed in this book is its narrative structure (which is not ever piece of cake to follow because of all the voices intermingling with each other) only its nonlinearity is what kept me on border and interested all the time.

The new translation published by Pushkin Press in 2015 is charming and if you're interested in reading this in English, I'd certainly propose you get hold of this edition.

In the picture show beneath, one moment in the staging of the novel past the Moscow Art Theatre.

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Nov 25, 2018 Manybooks rated it it was amazing

Although I have always (and ever since I had to read the novel for a university class in German Enlightenment literature in 1986) found Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Werther (of Dice Leiden des jungen Werther fame) a mostly massively aggravating and indeed even psychologically unstable, nastily stalker-like grapheme (who continuously casts condemnation at everyone but himself, who ever blames society and his nearest and dearest for the issues he faces and has in fact mostly himself created, Although I have always (and e'er since I had to read the novel for a university course in German Enlightenment literature in 1986) establish Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Werther (of Dice Leiden des jungen Werther fame) a mostly massively aggravating and indeed fifty-fifty psychologically unstable, nastily stalker-similar graphic symbol (who continuously casts condemnation at anybody but himself, who always blames guild and his nearest and dearest for the issues he faces and has in fact generally himself created, and so with the utmost of selfishness knowingly and very publicly commits suicide when he realises that his love interest Lotte is not going to break her engagement and cull him over Albert), Ulrich Plenzdorf's 1972 societal critique Dice neuen Leiden des jungen W., whilst naturally (particularly if one is to consider the title) replete with much intertextuality regarding Goethe's 1774 novel (and with main protagonist Egar Wibeau in fact even actively reading Die Leiden des jungen Werther and feeling much personal kinship to Werther) is nevertheless very much and in an evocatively positive manner quite different from Die Leiden des jungen Werther regarding a number of cardinal themes and scenarios. And indeed, ever since I first read Die neuen Leiden des jungen W. near 20 years agone or then, Ulrich Plenzdorf's novel is and always will exist a much more personally relatable and palatable, a not as problematically uncomfortable reading experience as Goethe's Die Leiden des jungen Werther has aways tended to be (in so far that Edgar Wibeau NEVER attempts to actively stem his unattainable honey interest Charlie and more importantly and yes fortunately, that Edgar actually does Non commit suicide but in fact dies trying to create, trying to build a better and more useful house paining machine, that his death is basically what I would call an industrial mishap, that he is accidentally electrocuted whilst trying to produce, to make something that would make the task, the chore of painting houses more streamlined and less of a tedious chore).

Now albeit I do realise that some if not perhaps fifty-fifty a goodly number of analysers and interpreters of Plenzdorf'due south novel, of

Die neuen Leiden des jungen W. actually do seem to consider Edgar Wibeau's expiry equally not beingness an accident, every bit being for the well-nigh role deliberate, I for one practise and very vociferously at that beg to differ here. For in Edgar'southward monologues (from the realm of the deceased), he categorically states and claims that what happened to him was most definitely non deliberate, was indeed accidental and not an human action of suicide. And fifty-fifty though Edgar does signal out that his death might well have been a approving so to speak, as he would not probable have been able to successfully render to society and alive within gild without Charlie and fifty-fifty more importantly if his house painting machine had been deemed a failure (every bit according to Edgar, he has never been all that willing or able to breadbasket both defeat and criticism), I exercise and strongly believe that different Goethe's intensely and utterly self indulgent, self centred and massively egotistical Werther, Edgar Wibeau (whilst indeed constantly rebelling, constantly at odds with the world around him), evidently (and in his own words) never would take committed self murder and has concluded up succumbing to an accidental electrocution as he was trying to brand a product (a new machine) that would (if successful) have meant less tedium, less work (and less of a chance of breathing in potentially toxic, vile paint fumes) during house painting jobs. ...more than

After reading both parodies of The Sorrows of Young Werther, I have to say that The Sorrows of Young Mike is the amend of the ii. Ulrich Plenzdorf did a good job but his story doesn't accept whatever steps frontward compared with John Zelazny version, simply I possibly feel this manner because I read the English translation. Zelazny's version is not simply a retelling and the only thing it is lacking is a German translation, which is something that is supposedly in the works. If yous want to read a parody of After reading both parodies of The Sorrows of Young Werther, I accept to say that The Sorrows of Immature Mike is the better of the two. Ulrich Plenzdorf did a good task but his story doesn't take any steps forward compared with John Zelazny version, simply I mayhap feel this style considering I read the English translation. Zelazny's version is not simply a retelling and the only thing information technology is lacking is a High german translation, which is something that is supposedly in the works. If yous desire to read a parody of Goethe'southward classic tale, you should read The Sorrows of Immature Mike. ...more

Feb 20, 2017 Joshua Jacobs rated it did non similar it

Recommends it for: No one

I detest this volume, I utterly despise information technology. Information technology'southward entirely, confoundingly and completely boring , inane, idiotic, choose whichever negative adjectives y'all like and it would fit my view of the book.
Perhaps I missed the bespeak of the book.
The protagonist is so cringey. Maybe his trying to exist absurd is contemporarily correct but the mode he goes on virtually 'Sometime Werther' and adds 'erstwhile' as a prefix to anyone for no reason is just cringey and stupid (he says 'old' in the German version too). I retrieve pausing I detest this volume, I utterly despise it. Information technology's entirely, confoundingly and completely boring , inane, idiotic, choose whichever negative adjectives y'all like and it would fit my view of the book.
Mayhap I missed the betoken of the volume.
The protagonist is so cringey. Maybe his trying to be absurd is contemporarily right merely the way he goes on most 'Former Werther' and adds 'sometime' as a prefix to anyone for no reason is just cringey and stupid (he says 'quondam' in the German version besides). I call back pausing while reading and thinking Christ, why is Edgar such a retard ? He is judgemental of jeans, music, and anything else that doesn't adapt with his stupid hippy lifestyle, and has such an arrogance that I don't see how anyone could sympathise with him; this has the result that, for my part at least, the events in his life meant to be tragic had no consequence on me (and no, this isn't me existence some boomer, I read this when I was a teenager).
The way he goes and waits for an entire day just to receive a pair of jeans (past the way, according to him non everyone is allowed to article of clothing this oh-then-holy and most special of garments), or the way he thinks he's some modern genius with outstanding intelligence considering he'southward read—look for it— three books in his life isn't something teenage me thought was relatable or understandable. What information technology is is supercilious rubbish.
Maybe my weakness is that I am incapable of sympathising with him, or possibly I'm just incapable of understanding the time this menstruation is set up in, but I stand firmly by my decision of one star; afterward all information technology says that that means 'didn't like this book'.

On the other hand, I have non read 'Die Leiden des Jungen Werther' or 'The Catcher in the Rye' and then, from some of the reviews I have read, one has to take read those to fully appreciate this. I can't see that this would ameliorate my contempt for this volume's protagonist.

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I translated this entire novel into English for a class at OSU...handwritten on legal pads.

Anyone want to read it, allow me know, and I will type it upwards one of these days.

Sep 24, 2008 Erin rated it really liked it  · review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone who likes J.D. Salinger and specifically Holden Caulfield

A practiced, short and like shooting fish in a barrel read on usual teenage angst and rebellion present throughout the earth, still Edgar (immature W) lives in the Gdr. This short novel goes hand in hand with The Sufferings of Young Werther, by both paralleling it and parodying it as well. The novel centers around Goethe'southward aforementioned novel. Edgar reads it and is extremely taken in by it. Throughout the residual of the book he quotes Goethe's work (although he knows not what it is, having institute information technology in a bathroom with the front end p A good, brusque and easy read on usual teenage angst and rebellion present throughout the world, however Edgar (young Due west) lives in the GDR. This brusque novel goes hand in manus with The Sufferings of Immature Werther, by both paralleling information technology and parodying it as well. The novel centers around Goethe'southward aforementioned novel. Edgar reads information technology and is extremely taken in by it. Throughout the remainder of the book he quotes Goethe's work (although he knows not what information technology is, having institute information technology in a bathroom with the front page torn off) in the strangest circumstances and never in the right context. Holden Caulfield/ Salinger play a large office in this volume equally well. ...more

Apr 24, 2008 Suzie rated it liked information technology

I read this book many times. sometimes i like information technology, sometimes not. it´s a little flake weird, merely likewise interesting. i tin can´t actually draw it better.

Or not so new now, every bit this is a reissue of an East German language modern archetype from the early 1970s. Edgar is a immature lad, het up on reading ii books – 1 of them, of course, ''Catcher in the Rye'' – and het upwardly on a lovely, engaged Kindergarten teacher whose playground abuts the abandoned allotments where he's squatting. He's likewise dead – no spoiler – and talking to a commonage readership/audience (always asking rhetorical questions of u.s.a. 'guys') and answering back on the reported dialogue of his ab Or not and then new now, every bit this is a reissue of an East German modern classic from the early on 1970s. Edgar is a young lad, het upwards on reading 2 books – one of them, of course, ''Catcher in the Rye'' – and het up on a lovely, engaged Kindergarten instructor whose playground abuts the abandoned allotments where he's squatting. He's also dead – no spoiler – and talking to a collective readership/audience (always asking rhetorical questions of usa 'guys') and answering dorsum on the reported dialogue of his absent-minded father's interviews to learn about the man Edgar was slowly becoming. There's some appeal in seeing his verdict on how he tried for the teacher, and tried to fit in and work well at work – even if what his begetter is told is quite, quite dissimilar. To the average reader the sehr literary parallels between this and the Goethe most-namesake will not be axiomatic, but it'southward an amusing plenty, quick picayune novel, with some very memorable scenes, and just plenty in the mode of disruptive delivery to give the reader a satisfaction of staying with it across the opening exchanges. ...more than

Another interesting title from the wonderful Pushkin Printing (how much we are indebted to them for bringing and so many foreign titles to our find!). This time information technology's a touching coming-of-historic period story virtually a rebellious teenage dropout from East Frg, Edgar Wibeau, who recounts his story from beyond the grave, using Goethe's classic The Sorrows of Young Werther to express himself. This is a conceit that I felt worked admirably and added to the depth of Edgar'due south characterisation. We also get to hear fro Some other interesting championship from the wonderful Pushkin Printing (how much we are indebted to them for bringing so many strange titles to our discover!). This time information technology's a touching coming-of-age story about a rebellious teenage dropout from East Germany, Edgar Wibeau, who recounts his story from beyond the grave, using Goethe's classic The Sorrows of Young Werther to express himself. This is a conceit that I felt worked admirably and added to the depth of Edgar's characterisation. We too get to hear from the people Edgar has met when his estranged father sets out to interview them to find out exactly what happened during his son's last days. Information technology'due south an original and unusual book set confronting the background of the restrictive East German state, which adds another layer to Edgar's rebellion. The translation seemed splendid to me, and I very much enjoyed this brusque exploration of a young man's troubled inner life. ...more

Meh. It was okay, simply I couldn't relate to the 17 twelvemonth erstwhile male main character. Plain this is a satire of The Sorrows of Young Werther by Goeth (I believe), which I hadn't read before this, so perhaps I would have plant information technology more enjoyable if I had. Too much teenage angst for me. And Edgar was very full of himself, which wasn't that fun to read either. Meh. It was okay, but I couldn't chronicle to the 17 year one-time male chief character. Apparently this is a satire of The Sorrows of Young Werther by Goeth (I believe), which I hadn't read before this, so perhaps I would have plant information technology more enjoyable if I had. Also much teenage angst for me. And Edgar was very full of himself, which wasn't that fun to read either. ...more

Jun 10, 2009 Adrian rated it liked it

I would say this is an improvement over it's inspiration simply the obsessive use of East German slang to make it audio "cool" and in order to entreatment to immature people is obnoxious. The protagonist is more likable that Werther. I would say this is an comeback over it's inspiration simply the obsessive utilize of Due east German slang to make it audio "cool" and in order to appeal to young people is obnoxious. The protagonist is more than likable that Werther. ...more

This is and then bad I wana give it a 0. Just that's not possible so I'll requite it a ane. This is so bad I wana give it a 0. Simply that's not possible then I'll give information technology a 1. ...more

iii.v*

Seventeen-yr old Edgar Wibeau is a "straight A" student and an upcoming model denizen of the German democratic republic. Until one solar day he does the unthinkable – he drops out of his apprenticeship, escapes from his sleepy home town, and settles downwardly at his friend Willi's abandoned summer business firm in East Berlin. Over the next few months he finds a handyman job, falls in dear with a happily-engaged kindergarten teacher named Charlie and develops an unlikely fixation with Goethe's Sorrows of Young Werther. Subsequently Edgar

three.5*

Seventeen-year sometime Edgar Wibeau is a "straight A" educatee and an upcoming model citizen of the GDR. Until 1 solar day he does the unthinkable – he drops out of his apprenticeship, escapes from his sleepy home town, and settles downward at his friend Willi's abased summertime firm in East Berlin. Over the next few months he finds a handyman chore, falls in dear with a happily-engaged kindergarten instructor named Charlie and develops an unlikely fixation with Goethe's Sorrows of Young Werther. After Edgar dies in a cartoonish blow, his estranged male parent tries to piece together the final chapter of his son's story past interviewing his friends and acquaintances. Transcripts of the interviews are establish throughout the volume (possibly an indication of the novel's early life as a screenplay). They alternating with tragicomic "American Beauty" fashion monologues delivered by the expressionless Edgar himself.

The novel's literary forebears are Salinger'southward The Catcher in the Rye and Goethe'southward The Sorrows of Young Werther. Both are referenced in the volume, with Goethe's novel inspiring the title and playing a role in the plot. Indeed, The New Sorrows works best equally a parody of Goethe, spiced with an element of political satire. The bucolic backdrop of the original Sorrows is replaced past a grey East Berlin, the OTT Romantic language substituted by Edgar's "trendy" colloquialisms. It must take been particularly difficult to evoke the at present dated 1970s German slang. In her 2015 translation for Pushkin Press, Romy Fursland opts for an argot which veers between the quaint and the cringe-inducing, simply which is surprisingly effective.

This feels like a novel of its fourth dimension – but withal remains an enjoyable and often funny read.

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This review has been hidden because information technology contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5 stars - this book was on my to-read list for six years - and I finished it in three days (information technology's my own error: I missed the fact that the English translation came out in 2015, and I call back the Goethe didn't accept me longer than a week either. If there'due south a bigger idiot that Edgar Wibeau, information technology might be me).

Thankfully, New Sorrows is ane I'll come back to. If you're non on board with The Sorrows of Young Werther or Catcher in the Rye, yous won't get on with this book, but thankfully I fit this descri

4.five stars - this book was on my to-read listing for 6 years - and I finished it in 3 days (it's my own mistake: I missed the fact that the English language translation came out in 2015, and I call up the Goethe didn't take me longer than a week either. If at that place's a bigger idiot that Edgar Wibeau, it might be me).

Thankfully, New Sorrows is i I'll come dorsum to. If you're non on board with The Sorrows of Young Werther or Catcher in the Rye, you won't go on with this book, just thankfully I fit this description pretty neatly and so it was very much my thing. If the book suffers from annihilation it's that the references and subversions of Goethe and Salinger are omnipresent, and I spent virtually of the read in a maddening connect-the-dots activeness compounded by its strong sense of time and place.

But the novel'southward biggest strength comes directly out of the gate by subverting the original'southward famous ending and narrative construction - instead of messages, we become tapes, and Edgar is a feisty commentator on his own purposefully ambiguous decease. If The Sorrows of Young Werther was the proto-Romantic reactionary piece off the back of the Enlightenment, The New Sorrows of Immature W. is in the same spirit, capturing the futility of finding purpose outside of societally accepted channels. I And as sardonic and irreverent as it gets, Edgar (and Plenzdorf) underpin these observations with sincerity, and it's surprisingly moving.

I read the 2015 Romy Fursland translation (the but English translation?) - I've heard naught can quite capture the original dialect / German democratic republic slang, only until I learn German this is the closest I'm going to get.

Would recommend, but information technology may exist a strange read without any context!

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Definitely liked this one ameliorate than the original, though it's notwithstanding not actually my kind of volume. The writing was a lot easier to sympathize and it wasn't as much of a torture to get through as the one written past Goethe, which is probably normal seeing equally this one is written over a century later. Apart from the writing, I accept to say that I liked the build up of the story, with his father trying to find out what happened and him telling the story from the swell beyond, and the story itself as nosotros Definitely liked this one better than the original, though information technology'south still not really my kind of book. The writing was a lot easier to empathize and information technology wasn't as much of a torture to get through equally the one written by Goethe, which is probably normal seeing as this ane is written over a century subsequently. Apart from the writing, I have to say that I liked the build up of the story, with his father trying to detect out what happened and him telling the story from the great beyond, and the story itself besides, way improve than the one of the original. Edgar, the pb graphic symbol, was way more than sympathetic than Old Werther and also way easier to compare yourself to. Also the human relationship to the girl in this one was fashion more existent and simply better than the one Werther had with Charlotte, Edgar wasn't obsessed with the idea of having her - he saw her for who she was and the same the other fashion effectually. And for the ending? I loved how Edgar said that in the end, he and Werther were the aforementioned in a lot of aspects and that he could discover pieces of him in the book but that he would have never taken in his own life, that he would have never left willingly. His death was an accident, non planned or anything, and I liked that better than the whole killing himself for absolutely no good or understandable reason like Werther did. ...more

Sep 29, 2014 Shahriar rated information technology really liked it

Plenzdorf created a vivid novel where he utilizes the struggles of a fellow living in the GDR to reflect the negatives and, to some minor extent, the positive of soviet occupied due east frg. The blueish jeans becomes a motif for something that "doesnt fit quite correct". within the context of this volume the blue jeans are symbolic of communist ideals imposed on german nationalist ideology of the time. Yet plenzdorf is not entirely contemptuous, he does reflect the merit of hard work and totalitaria Plenzdorf created a bright novel where he utilizes the struggles of a young man living in the GDR to reverberate the negatives and, to some small extent, the positive of soviet occupied eastward frg. The blue jeans becomes a motif for something that "doesnt fit quite right". inside the context of this volume the blue jeans are symbolic of communist ideals imposed on german nationalist ideology of the time. Yet plenzdorf is not entirely cynical, he does reflect the merit of hard piece of work and totalitarianism reflected by Edgar'due south personal life and his option to stay in the army for longer than his required time flow of 18 months.
In conclusion, this was quite the intriguing read every bit the unabridged story is reminiscent of the GDR onset before the reunification of Germany at 1989. using Edgar and his experiences to reflect the socialism at the fourth dimension is quite fascinating and gripping. ...more

A less pretentious and more accessible version of a more archetype story.

Edgar is relatable in his teenage eccentricity, and makes for a more like-able, and perhaps a more socially adept, Holden Caulfield, and narrates with good humor and genuineness that quickly endeared him to me

Though the book is low-cal spirited it still touches on a lot of the frustrations that Edgar feels growing up in E Frg on the individual level, and as a teenager in general. In fact, the 2 are inter-related, and

A less pretentious and more attainable version of a more than archetype story.

Edgar is relatable in his teenage eccentricity, and makes for a more similar-able, and possibly a more socially adept, Holden Caulfield, and narrates with skilful humor and genuineness that rapidly endeared him to me

Though the book is low-cal spirited it however touches on a lot of the frustrations that Edgar feels growing upwardly in E Germany on the individual level, and equally a teenager in full general. In fact, the two are inter-related, and the Gdr is just another factor that plays into the parts of Edgar'southward life that he finds restricting.

An interesting read, though a quick one

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Sep 03, 2008 Lavinia rated it information technology was ok

This is a sort of mixed parody subsequently Goethes' Werther and Salinger'due south Caulfield settled in East Germany; Berlin, to be more exact. Bully, merely I found the Romanian translation not and so satisfactory.

***
noile suferinte ale tinarului w. se vrea a fi united nations mix-parodie dupa wertherul lui goethe si caulfieldul lui salinger in berlinul germaniei rdg-iste. cartea nu e rea, dar traducerea mi se skin putin metalica si fortata.

Non every bit funny equally I had hoped, but still a pleasing petty book. Slightly repetitive in its teenage slang (and a bit dated likewise), it is withal quite a charming portrait of growing up in the DDR.

Interesting intertextual work that puts into dialogue Goethe, JD Salinger and 1970s Eastward German youth civilisation. Unfortunately, the British idiom used in this translation feels forced and had me wincing on nearly every page. An insufferable read.

Jan 15, 2011 Ines rated it did not like it

Even worse than Goethe's original. Even worse than Goethe's original. ...more than

Even if you accept read Goethe's original, it is nonetheless beyond painful to make your way through this. That'due south probably because of the incredibly unlikeable protagonist and the style it is written (not the structure of the father trying to find out what'due south happened while Edgar tells his tale):

Phrases repeat all the fourth dimension, which is peculiarly annoying since they're about the well-nigh cringeworthy phrases you can imagine; (I read the German version so I'll quote from that 1) '(etwas) popte', 'ich wurde fast

Even if you have read Goethe's original, it is nevertheless beyond painful to brand your manner through this. That's probably considering of the incredibly unlikeable protagonist and the way it is written (not the structure of the father trying to detect out what'southward happened while Edgar tells his tale):

Phrases repeat all the time, which is particularly annoying since they're about the almost cringeworthy phrases you can imagine; (I read the German version so I'll quote from that one) '(etwas) popte', 'ich wurde fast nicht mehr ', 'ich weiß nicht ob das einer begreift, Leute'. - the last phrase (roughly: "I don't know if one of understands that, guys") is the worst 1 every bit it pops up all the way through and, apart from non being that great a line anyway, it makes Edgar sound even more entitled and arrogant since he says that virtually everything. Evidently, he thinks that he'southward the only i intelligent or experienced plenty to become/sympathize everything.

He also keeps calling himself (or his past cocky) an idiot all the mode through and at first, I idea that that showed at least a small amount of self sensation but, alas, he uses the give-and-take 'idiot' in an 'I' m and so quirky, and funny and corking and you people would surely phone call me idiot because I don't fit in with your dull rules and everything '-way.

There's a lot more than that made finishing this volume a quite painful feel simply I' ll cutting information technology short and just say that I accept seldom read a volume with a more unlikeable, narcissistic protagonist (and I've read Goethe's original 'werther', 'Faust' and 'Iphigenie auf Tauris' (the both of them 3 times) also equally Patrick Süskind's 'Parfum' (this i is beyond brilliant and surely a style better read that 'die neuen Leiden des jungen West.) that was too as badly written as this i.

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I rarely review books, but I felt an explanation was necessary for my rating of "The New Sorrows of Young Westward." by Ulrich Plenzdorf. Overall, I felt the montage construction, coupled with the start-person narrative detracted from what could take been a much stronger work. Plenzdorf takes the Bildungsroman style to an extreme, and the work suffers appropriately: Characters are never developed, places and settings never described, events occur without whatsoever sort of meaningful arc or trajectory. When this g I rarely review books, simply I felt an explanation was necessary for my rating of "The New Sorrows of Young W." by Ulrich Plenzdorf. Overall, I felt the montage construction, coupled with the first-person narrative detracted from what could take been a much stronger piece of work. Plenzdorf takes the Bildungsroman manner to an extreme, and the piece of work suffers accordingly: Characters are never developed, places and settings never described, events occur without whatsoever sort of meaningful arc or trajectory. When this genre works, information technology's considering its narrators are compelling and offer something of themselves to the reader. Past contrast, Edgar's consistent aloofness and conversational use of slang was more of a distraction and added nothing of substance to the story in the way that similar books have. I felt every bit though the execution of the novel never lived up to its intent. ...more

I have to admit that I wasn't impressed at all actually with this volume. As the championship of the volume suggests, this was a rework and modernised version of the original sufferings of immature Werther past Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. And to be honest, information technology'south such a short book, only 84 pages, and I'm non actually sure at all what happens in it. The main protagonist gets electrocuted near the terminate of the story but honestly, apart from that, there was nothing much that gripped me in this book at all. Here are a coup I have to admit that I wasn't impressed at all really with this book. As the title of the book suggests, this was a rework and modernised version of the original sufferings of young Werther past Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. And to exist honest, it'due south such a brusque book, but 84 pages, and I'm non really sure at all what happens in information technology. The main protagonist gets electrocuted near the finish of the story but honestly, apart from that, there was nothing much that gripped me in this book at all. Hither are a couple of the best bits from the book:

I can say much in favour of rules, nearly the aforementioned things as tin can be said in favour of ceremonious society. A person who trains himself by the rules will never produce anything cool or bad, just every bit one who lets himself be modelled after laws into quorum tin can never become an intolerable neighbour, never an outright villain.

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Pfuu.. this is difficult. A satire to The Sorrows of Immature Werther!
I couldn't connect all the time with Edgar: a 17 years onetime male child rebels against normality - fair enough- and runs to Berlin. He doesn't want to work but falls in love-incommunicable love- and decides to work - to impress her!! This struggle between finding yourself and non applying to the society'south rules it's there simply I think it portrays the graphic symbol trying to hard ( and the expressions :Do yous know what I mean? Do you go it, guys?) It Pfuu.. this is difficult. A satire to The Sorrows of Young Werther!
I couldn't connect all the time with Edgar: a 17 years sometime boy rebels against normality - off-white plenty- and runs to Berlin. He doesn't want to work simply falls in honey-impossible dearest- and decides to work - to impress her!! This struggle betwixt finding yourself and not applying to the society'due south rules it's there merely I think it portrays the character trying to hard ( and the expressions :Do you know what I mean? Do you go it, guys?) It might be the translation as well. The concept and idea are expert and information technology'south easy to go into the book, possibly not what I've expected. ...more

have been meaning to read this for a while, and was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed it.
the story is a footling dry, but the narrator is quite an attractive guy. reminded me of holden caulfield in salinger's catcher in the rye, which he references. romy fursland'southward translation into english is astoundingly funny. simply reason this hasn't got a higher rating is because information technology didn't make much of an impression on me. yet very good, though! take been significant to read this for a while, and was pleasantly surprised past how much i enjoyed it.
the story is a little dry, just the narrator is quite an bonny guy. reminded me of holden caulfield in salinger's catcher in the rye, which he references. romy fursland's translation into english is astoundingly funny. only reason this hasn't got a college rating is because it didn't make much of an impression on me. yet very proficient, though! ...more

Don't know what to recollect about this. I picked it upward in Waterstones (good encompass caught my eye) read a folio and thought, that's a bit Catcher, I'll get that. Then xxx pages in, information technology references Catcher!!

In that location'southward paying homage to something and then at that place's full on ripping information technology off. After finishing this book I felt it was more the latter. Probably a good book, if you've never read whatever Salinger.

Don't know what to think about this. I picked it up in Waterstones (good cover caught my eye) read a folio and idea, that's a bit Catcher, I'll go that. Then xxx pages in, information technology references Catcher!!

In that location's paying homage to something and then at that place's full on ripping information technology off. After finishing this book I felt it was more the latter. Probably a good book, if you've never read whatsoever Salinger.

...more

This review has been hidden because information technology contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Other than I tin't help simply experience it would have read improve in its original linguistic communication of German, I liked this volume.
Most of all I liked Edgar Wibeau, he didn't go people or life merely he was likeable.
And I found the concept of recounting the last few months before one'southward untimely death a fascinating one.

It makes one ponder whether ane needs to have more risks in life, because who wants to dice with regrets correct?

A bit hard to charge per unit this book when you've simply written about Bukowski! All the same, I too finished off this volume in ane afternoon - mainly because I really liked the original ailments of young Werther!! It was a nice attempt to suit this to a newer age - a chip like a remix of a familiar evergreen hitting! But so again - I had to grin a few times! A bit difficult to rate this book when you lot've just written about Bukowski! Nonetheless, I too finished off this book in one afternoon - mainly because I actually liked the original ailments of immature Werther!! It was a dainty endeavour to accommodate this to a newer historic period - a bit like a remix of a familiar evergreen hit! But then over again - I had to smiling a few times! ...more

Ulrich Plenzdorf was a High german author and dramatist.

Built-in in Berlin, Plenzdorf studied Philosophy in Leipzig, only graduated with a degree in moving picture. He found piece of work at DEFA.

He became famous in both East and West Frg for his socially critical work titled "Die neuen Leiden des jungen Westward." Written in the jargon of the German democratic republic-youth of the 1970s, it details the tragic story of a beau and his endeavour to

Ulrich Plenzdorf was a German author and dramatist.

Born in Berlin, Plenzdorf studied Philosophy in Leipzig, but graduated with a degree in moving picture. He found work at DEFA.

He became famous in both East and Due west Deutschland for his socially critical piece of work titled "Dice neuen Leiden des jungen West." Written in the jargon of the Gdr-youth of the 1970s, it details the tragic story of a swain and his try to break free from his stifling conservative environment, cartoon parallels betwixt his own life and that of the protagonist in Goethe'south piece of work The Sorrows of Young Werther (Die Leiden des jungen Werther) (1774).

Since 2004, Plenzdorf had been a guest lecturer at the Deutsches Literaturinstitut in Leipzig.

He died of undisclosed causes, aged 72.

...more

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