Reviews

Die Wahlverwandtschaften by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

annainthebooks's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0


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parodysbird's review against another edition

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5.0

I really loved this. It feels like I've barely scratched the surface of it it though. Goethe himself said that you have to read this three times before you get it.
I'm looking forward to spending time with this book again.

desdemona0b4b9's review against another edition

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reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

dinahn's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

wotchergiorgia's review against another edition

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5.0

Dopo un anno ritorno da Goethe, da quello stesso Goethe che mi ha tormentata per settimane infinite con il suo Werther, da quello stesso scrittore che mi è stato vicino e mi ha fatto compagnia con le sue parole sincere, profonde, sensibili.
Ho fatto ritorno tra le braccia di Goethe dopo un anno esatto e, dopo un anno esatto, continuo ad amarlo e ad essergli amica.
Il suo romanzo, anche questa volta, mi è stato un amico leale e, forse, persino più di un amico: esso è stato per me confidente e - per citare Kafka - esso è stato per me il coltello col quale frugare dentro me stessa. Ho forse capito meglio l’amore, l’essere affini, affinità, ma, soprattutto, l’essere affinità elettive.
- rapporti umani = rapporti chimici - così ho goffamente, ingenuamente, rozzamente scritto a matita a margine di una pagina di questo romanzo. Perché anche noi siamo fatti di elementi chimici, noi siamo chimica, ed è dunque la chimica che ci attrae gli uni con gli altri.
Ho amato questo libro, l’ho amato e me ne sono presa cura tanto quanto, spero, lui abbia avuto cura di me, del mio cuore giovane e colmo di sogni e di speranze, del mio cuore innamorato dell’amore e del romanticismo, e della mia anima forte e fragile a un tempo, cauta e avventata, pacata ed irruente. Goethe si è, un’altra volta, preso cura di me con la più totale delicatezza e gentilezza.
Goethe ha sempre cura di me, si pena per e con me, mi aiuta a gioire e a piangere, a morire e a rinascere. Questo scrittore è la mia medicina, così lo sono i suoi romanzi e questo, questo breve e immenso romanzo, è una autentica professione d’amore incondizionato e puro.

nadoislandgirl's review against another edition

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1.0

I found this tedious, dull and somewhat ridiculous.

hannah77's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad

4.25

blueyorkie's review against another edition

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5.0

Love feelings do not fit well with rational analysis and sometimes escape understanding.
Although it establishes an analogy between human relations and specific chemical properties, Goethe's novel Elective Affinity, published at the beginning of the 19th century, is a love tragedy.
At the end of widowhood, they simultaneously knew Edouard and Charlotte had married and enjoyed their quiet life in their vast country estate around Weimar.
In their prime life, these castellans already have a great life experience. They know that the development of a couple depends on the attention of everyday life and mutual concessions.
Thus, Edouard solicits with his wife the installation in the castle of the Captain, a long-time friend suffering from loneliness. Charlotte does not look favorably at this invitation but finally accepts it not without having succeeded in imposing on her husband the presence near them of her niece Otillie, of whom she makes a point of perfecting her education.
The Captain is a realistic character, and his ideas about the field organization are relevant. Charlotte appreciates the company of this measure, who is constantly attentive to others and tactfully gives his opinion.
Odile is the incarnated charm and turns the head of Edward, who is old enough to be his father. However, he cares about the young woman, and his banter is sometimes ready to smile.
This idyllic but at least equivocal situation will resist the first headwinds.
In a surprisingly modern style, far from the banter of the time, Goethe leads the reader into a passionate story mixing four friendly and whole characters.
How about a little flirtation with German literature and more than affinity?

aaminataa's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.25

federicaser's review against another edition

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informative reflective slow-paced

2.0