The Sorrows of Young Werther and Selected Writings (Signet classics) [Paperback]

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Author), Catherine Hutter (Translator), Hermann J. Weigand (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Signet classics | Publication Date: August 1, 1962

This classic selection of writings by Goethe reflects the author's philosophy of love and death.

@SourKraut Met a new girl today! Need to avoid being trapped in the friend zone this time.

She is engaged to some dweeb named Albert. What kind of a name is Al?

Truly, I am so sad. I am overcome with despair. I feel nothing but sorrow.

Have I noted how upset I am? I am very upset. #pain #angst #suffering #sexdep

From Twitterature: The World's Greatest Books in Twenty Tweets or Less

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Nature has endowed [Goethe] more generously than anyone since Shakespeare. -- Friedrich Schiller --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfurt-on-Main in 1749. He studied at Leipzig, where he showed interest in the occult, and at Strassburg, where Herder introduced him to Shakespeare’s works and to folk poetry. He produced some essays and lyrical verse, and at twenty-two wrote Götz von Berlichingen, a play which brought him national fame and established him in the current Sturm und Drang movement. This was followed by the novel The Sorrows of Young Werther in 1774, which was an even greater success.

Goethe began work on Faust, and Egmont, another tragedy before being invited to join the government of Weimar. His interest in the classical world led him to leave suddenly for Italy in 1786 and the Italian Journey recounts his travels there. Iphigenia in Tauris and Torquato Tasso, classical dramas, were written at this time. Returning to Weimar, Goethe started the second part of Faust, encouraged by Schiller. In 1806 he married Christiane Vulpius. During this late period he finished his series of Wilhelm Master books and wrote many other works, including The Oriental Divan (1819). He also directed the State Theatre and worked on scientific theories in evolutionary botany, anatomy and color. Goethe completed Faust in 1832, just before he died.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Signet Classics (August 1, 1962)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451523032
• ISBN-13: 978-0451523037
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #874,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful translation and a wonderful story, August 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sorrows of Young Werther and Selected Writings (Signet classics) (Paperback)

I am certain that Goethe should be read in German to fully appreciate his work. Catherine Hutter to me is the best translation of 3 translations I have read. Werther is a most wonderful book full of introspection and reflections of life. Napoleon read it 40 times! and was his chosen book to take when he visited Egypt. Thomas Mann read it over 10 times and I have read it five times already. After reading Werther, the reader must read Goethe's Reflections on Werther ( in the same book) to really understand the reason why he wrote this book. This is one of my favorites. Do not forget the Divan, Faust and mostly his biography by Emil Ludwig . . . . his poetry is the best!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars incompetent translation, June 7, 2002

By 

JOSEPH OLEARY (Tokyo, Tokyo Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sorrows of Young Werther and Selected Writings (Signet classics) (Paperback)

I am looking for the best translation of this novel for my students. This translation of Catherine Hutter is utterly incompetent. Example: "I have spoken to my aunt and must say that I didn't find her to be the dreadful vehement woman with the kindest of hearts." The German reads: "Ich habe meine Tante gesprochen und bei weitem das boese Weib nicht gefundet, das man bei uns aus ihr macht. Sie ist eine muntere, heftige Frau von dem besten Herzen" = "I have spoken to my aunt and found her to be not at all the dreadful woman she is made out to be among us. She is a cheerful, energetic woman with the best of hearts."

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Applause for the greatest/most profound work of modern lit., July 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sorrows of Young Werther and Selected Writings (Signet classics) (Paperback)

Werther is *arguably* the greatest literary work of the modern world. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe--world-renowned German classicist and author of Faust, Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, and many more--has created a BEAUTIFULY worded story which displays his unique views on love, death, etc. As German author Thomas Mann said, "...The nerve-shattering sensitivity of this little book [TSOYW] provoked a storm of applause which broke all bounds and fairly intoxicated the world..." Though the genius of Goethe is praised throughout the world, he is rarely taught in the United States because his work--which is, even at it's dryest, poetic--translates poorly into English. Do not miss the opportunity to read this. If I were to be locked away forever with just one book, I would choose The Sorrows of Young Werther.