Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship (Goethe: The Collected Works, Vol. 9) [Hardcover]

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (Author), Eric A. Blackall (Editor, Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1989 | ISBN-10: 3518029630 | ISBN-13: 978-3518029633

Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, a novel of self-realization greatly admired by the Romantics, has been called the first Bildungsroman and has had a tremendous influence on the history of the German novel. The story centers on Wilhelm, a young man living in the mid-1700s who strives to break free from the restrictive world of economics and seeks fulfillment as an actor and playwright. Along with Eric Blackall's fresh translation of the work, this edition contains notes and an afterword by the translator that aims to put this novel into historical and artistic perspective for twentieth-century readers while showing how it defies categorization.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

About the Author

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) is widely considered the founder of modern German literature. His best-known literary works include Faust and The Sorrows of Young Werther. H.M. Waidson has previously translated Goethe as well as other German and Swiss authors.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 387 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr (September 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3518029630
• ISBN-13: 978-3518029633
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,656,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Book That Never Leaves You, November 2, 2000

By 

Craig Wienckowski (Seoul, Korea) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Goethe: The Collected Works, Vol. 9) (Paperback)

As one of the most prolific and multi-talented authors to ever set words to page, Goethe is often considered the master of early romantic works and even the patriarch of the modern novel. Fittingly, Goethe's numerous interests and telents, including law, geology, science and literature, come to life in Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship the precursor to Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years.

I caution all those who pick up this book to do so with grit and determination for it is not light reading. The density and complexity of the piece can be discouraging and the sometimes fantastical character encounters can leave you with a sense of shallowness and predictability. These opinions, however, are ones that fade away as the overall impact of the novel begins to set in and alter you perceptions of the world.

Goethe's romantic voice can be heard throughout, and, while many readers prefer the more adventurous and extravegant side of love, the romances here are shockingly harsh and true-to-life, which only add to the benefits of the work. To be sure adveture and extravegance are not spared.

Goethe was also the quitesential statesman of his time, and this meant ties to Freemasonry. What can be interpreted as Masonic overtones and undertones add a veil of mystery and adventure to the book, while philosophical exchanges leave the reader with points to consider, even in today's world.

My appreciation for this book stems from its uncanny insight into my present life and the lingering ideas it presented to me. Had I not read this novel I would surely be missing something extraordinary today.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of a Philosophical Novel, May 4, 2006

By 

Daniel A. Spiro "Author of The Creed Room and... (Bethesda, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Goethe: The Collected Works, Vol. 9) (Paperback)

Whenever I read Goethe's poems, plays or prose, I'm reminded of his genius. But I have a particularly warm spot in my heart for Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, Goethe's philosophical novel. The story is gripping, the characters majestic and the ideas compelling.

The novel's cornerstone is its chapter entitled "Confessions of a Beautiful Soul." That chapter provides the thread that ties together the book's plot and characters to its philosophy. In that chapter and what follows -- no less than in his Faust -- Goethe provides a glimpse of lives that he views to be truly worth living.

My advice is to read the Sorrows of Young Werther, in which Goethe shows what it means to be an immature, impetuous post-adolescent, and then read Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, and learn what it means to evolve into a wise, contended adult. On the surface, Werther was Goethe's great tragedy, but if you ask me, the real tragedy is that Meister is rarely read in modern America. Hopefully, the book will soon have a renaissance. Lord knows it deserves one.

17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bildungsroman, November 17, 2004

By 

Matko Vladanovic (Zagreb, Croatia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Goethe: The Collected Works, Vol. 9) (Paperback)

German phrase, meaning "novel that raises (characteres)", very common type of a novel in 18th century best describes this book.

Wilhelm Meister alter ego of Goethe himself advances through stages of life consistenting from theatre to salesman to "one that shall be married with someone of higher class than he".

In the mouth of his characters, that are not entirely fictional, Goethe develops problems which he sees as an important factor in a world that he had lived.

Ranging from his views of national theatre, national literature (as presented by von Herder or the whole cultural situation in the wolrd in those days) to the morale, marriage, love and succesfullnes of any type.

Though presented in typically romantic manner this book is read very easy, you'll just need to accomodate yourself to the language and way of thinking of 18th century, which can be looked upon as somewhat naive....especially considering some recent works that have been written around same theme.

Insightfull view to the German romantic novel which you may like or you may not (as it is with any other book)...wouldn't recomend to someone who just started to discover the brilliant world of literature, this book searches for highly tuned reader who has much interest (and much knowledge) of the 18th century world...