The New Sufferings of Young W. [Paperback]

Ulrich Plenzdorf (Author), Kenneth P. Wilcox (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1996

One of the most talked-about works ever published in the German Democratic Republic! This innovative novel by an East German writer is a worthy companion to the classic it parodies and parallels: Goethe's The Sufferings of Young Werther. Goethe and J. D. Salinger were the two greatest influences on Edgar Wibeau, "Young W." Edgar is a 17-year-old with the frustrations of teenagers all over the world, living with the added pressures of an East-bloc state. A model all-GDR boy, the son of a factory director, he suddenly drops out. But not from socialism per se--just from conformity, picky regulations, and official disapproval of jeans, the blues, and girls. Hiding out, he finds and devours an old copy of The Sufferings of Young Werther. From then on he wards off reality with Goethe texts, and young Wibeau's fate is superimposed on that of Werther like a transparent overlay. It is an ironic and revealing linkage.

Titles of related interest from Waveland Press: Goethe, Gotz von Berlichingen: A Play (ISBN 9780881335415); Hauptmann, Three Plays [The Weavers, Hannele, and The Beaver Coat] (ISBN 9780881335408); and Novalis, Henry von Ofterdingen: A Novel (ISBN 9780881335743).

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881338915
• ISBN-13: 978-0881338911
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all time favorites, June 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The new sufferings of young W: A novel (Paperback)

I had to read this book in a German Lit course in college about 10 years ago. I loved it. It is a must read for any fan of "Catcher in the Rye." I loaned it to all my friends, unfortunately, somewhere along the line I never got it back. I have been looking for the book for about 4 years now... that is how great of a story it is. Glad to see it finally available here...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Salinger meets Goethe in East Germany, May 11, 2009

By 

Enver Hoxha "zogu" (East Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Sufferings of Young W. (Paperback)

This is a great book--I've never read the English translation and I'm sure it doesn't quite do the original justice (translations rarely do), but if you're a fan of The Catcher in the Rye or of Goethe (less likely :), then this is a MUST read. Basically, its the story of a teenager who is in love with an engaged girl (Charlie/Charlotte) in 1970s East Germany, who rebels against conformity, moves to Berlin alone and goes nuts. The work uses Salingeresque language and narration (or at least the German equivalent) full of heartache and melancholy. While you learn in the opening pages that Edgar (the protagonist) doesn't make it out alive, its a great trip to find out the how and the why of it.
German literature doesn't get much better than this one.