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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
See the review in my general account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/525329481
Without doubt, this is a Titan's Work, but at the same time it is deficient, in that it is not entirely coherent: it was written in different periodes of Goethe's life, in different styles, from different perspectives; it's intersected with rather loose comments on the culture of his time. It has a mosaic-like structure with symbolic scenes and sometimes downright spectacles full of special effects.
Of course, there is the impressive and essentially tragic figure of Faust himself, the man who succumbs to his desire to know more, to be more, a symbol of the human passion to surpass himself. In that way Goethe has made Faust into the iconic symbol he has remained ever since.
I read most of it in German, accompanied by a Dutch translation. To me real gems were the following parts: the Walpurgisnacht (a cascade of images and scenes in variegated verse forms), the Homunculus story (sparkling and moving), the Philemon and Baucis story (charming as ever). And rather weak parts: the Gretchen story (Gretchen is a too insignificant figure), the Helena Story (she's literally without flesh and bone), Euphorion (too short), and the final (too heavenly).
Faust is a succinct read, but too precarious to my taste. Still, several verses have been imprinted in my mind for ever.
"Alles Vergängliche
Ist nur ein Gleichnis;
Das Unzulängliche,
Hier wird's Ereignis;
Das Unbeschreibliche,
Hier ist's getan;
Das Ewig-Weibliche
Zieht uns hinan."
Rating 3.5 stars
Of course, there is the impressive and essentially tragic figure of Faust himself, the man who succumbs to his desire to know more, to be more, a symbol of the human passion to surpass himself. In that way Goethe has made Faust into the iconic symbol he has remained ever since.
I read most of it in German, accompanied by a Dutch translation. To me real gems were the following parts: the Walpurgisnacht (a cascade of images and scenes in variegated verse forms), the Homunculus story (sparkling and moving), the Philemon and Baucis story (charming as ever). And rather weak parts: the Gretchen story (Gretchen is a too insignificant figure), the Helena Story (she's literally without flesh and bone), Euphorion (too short), and the final (too heavenly).
Faust is a succinct read, but too precarious to my taste. Still, several verses have been imprinted in my mind for ever.
"Alles Vergängliche
Ist nur ein Gleichnis;
Das Unzulängliche,
Hier wird's Ereignis;
Das Unbeschreibliche,
Hier ist's getan;
Das Ewig-Weibliche
Zieht uns hinan."
Rating 3.5 stars
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
i would’ve never read this book if i didn’t have to and i also wouldn’t have understood any of it if we didn’t discuss it in class
adventurous
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
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
once i get my hands on the physical copy, it's over! also def one of my fave works of german literature EVER and remember not to shake hands with the devil
You can only review this sort of literature on two distinct levels. First it is a classic, and a high-calibre one at that, second, it is not easy or particularly flowing in style. It's old-fasioned and a little like opera (which was probably von Goethe's audince anyway) so all the messages are repeated ad infinitum, and too it's written in verse, so one would not expect this to read easily or especially engagingly.
I enjoyed book one much more than the majority of book two which made a strange juxtaposition of medieval theocracy with classical paganism. The devil was certainly out of his depth, but the concepts did not fit together very well for me. The first book was a delight by comparison, so much more human and relatable (inasmuch as anyone can relate to making a pact with the devil).
Still, it's great, in the true sense of the word, and even if there are long sections which are hard work, you cannot fail to appreciate just how epic this work is. Worth the time.
I enjoyed book one much more than the majority of book two which made a strange juxtaposition of medieval theocracy with classical paganism. The devil was certainly out of his depth, but the concepts did not fit together very well for me. The first book was a delight by comparison, so much more human and relatable (inasmuch as anyone can relate to making a pact with the devil).
Still, it's great, in the true sense of the word, and even if there are long sections which are hard work, you cannot fail to appreciate just how epic this work is. Worth the time.
adventurous
reflective