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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This is one of those cases where I'm going to have to take history's word for it that Goethe was a genius and Faust a masterpiece. Kaufman's notes are helpful. That said, the omission of a large part of Part 2 still bothers me, and the ending in general is kind of annoying.
Also beware, the Introduction contains spoilers for the whole thing.
Also beware, the Introduction contains spoilers for the whole thing.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing and rhythm of Goethe’s epic tale are exceptional. The philosophical exploration of morality and the never-ending search of meaning leave you with a lot to think about. I understand why this is a classic.
But ultimately, this story made me feel a bit icky. Most of it focuses on middle-aged Faust’s obsessive lust over the 14-year-old Margaret, a caricature of a woman who is obsessed with him for god knows what reason. Their relationship destroys her life, so much so that the main thing I took away from the story is how woefully unbalanced the consequences of the same behavior are for men and women.
But ultimately, this story made me feel a bit icky. Most of it focuses on middle-aged Faust’s obsessive lust over the 14-year-old Margaret, a caricature of a woman who is obsessed with him for god knows what reason. Their relationship destroys her life, so much so that the main thing I took away from the story is how woefully unbalanced the consequences of the same behavior are for men and women.
"Men usually believe, if only they hear words,
That there must also be some sort of meaning."
Faust was surprisingly good. Not in a - what a masterpiece - way; But in a - why am I laughing so hard and so frequently - way. The play is fun! It's an actually enjoyable read that is rendered more so due to how aware Goethe is of life. I could see myself in some of the characters - Wagner, sometimes in Faust - and being called out like that was unexpected, and kind of a blast. Especially in some of Mephistopheles lines -aka the best lines once Mephistopheles is the best character. I loved how one can choose between having just an enjoyable read and leave with a few things to think over, a few questions about the nature of after life; or actually try to go deep in all the possible analysis and the philosophy behind the book, solve the riddles that not even Goethe seemed to know the answers. 'Faust' is a classic that I will definitely reread, not only to go more deep, but also because it is so enjoyable!! (Also, probably going to reread together with my reread of 'The Master and Margarita', these two books make quite a pair).
"As I grow stagnant I shall be a slave,
Whether or not to anyone indebted."
And yet, it doesn't ~feel ~ like a five star read. Mainly because of the edition that I read, translated by Walter Kaufmann, that chose to cut the first scenes of the second part and give us a little synopsis instead. As someone who is extremely picky when it comes to translations I totally understand the translator's motives. As he himself put it: "To let Goethe speak English is one thing; to transpose into English his attempt to imitate Greek poetry in German is another". Added to all the numerous motives the he presented in the introduction, I can't really complain about the missing chapters. And yet... the huge abysm between the first scene of the Second Part and the fifth scene just threw me off. The synopsis given in the introduction (that shows really interesting lines that I am happy I got to read) wasn't enough to link the two moments for me.For what I could gather, these chapters were as crazy as a dream and I feel they would have added a lot to the story, for they show how Faust really dealt with his deal, whilst the first part just explores the surface of the numerous possibilities. I would have liked to be entirely shocked with the random things that happen in those omitted chapters while reading them in their integrity. (And as an accountant who really likes economic history, I'm a bit sad that I didn't get to read about Mephistopheles inventing paper money) . Of course, because I did not read them, I might be wrong, maybe I would have hated them after all; But regardless, I was in the story and the gap just made me loose that feeling of immersion, so I can't really say I loved the book. Four stars it is.... (or *4.5)
"Of the beyond I have no thought
When you reduce this world to nought,
The other one may have its turn"
I also found really interesting how It reminded me of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (aka one of my favorite books). Mainly because, in my opinion, Dorian should not have used the portrait to define his actions, he could have just lived in his hedonistic way of life without seeking every possible vice just because he could (making life and art separate things, and in the same time making your life a work of art, if that makes any sense). Which is kind of what Faust does in this book. He doesn't become a bad man striving for the worst after making his pact with a devil, he just lives his life - "To strive for highest life with all my powers" - making some bad decisions, trying to fix them for the sake of it sometimes, and then continues to do whatever he wants, regardless of how crazy it is. Immune from Guilt, not much so from Care. And while Dorian got damned and killed himself, Faust was actually saved and went to heaven.
"Who ever strives with all his power,
We are allowed to save"
So basically, 'Faust' is surprisingly more crazy than I thought it would be; Surprisingly more fun than I thought it would be; Way more deep than I could possibly get to in one read; And with and ending that actually made me question myself a bit. I never enjoyed the finite idea of eternal damnation, the judging of ones soul. Hell doesn't teach anyone anything, is suffering for the sake of it and it makes no sense. Hell seems to me really pointless. And yet when Faust ascended to heaven I felt cheated, for the man didn't really deserved such a glorious ending. So even though, objectively speaking, I can't agree the idea of Hell... I wasn't happy (nor surprised) that Fust made it to Heaven... Not that I enjoy the idea of Heaven either but.... I guess I have to review my whole view of eternal life? (Not that it matters that much once I'm Agnostic, but still). Yeah. I'm positively confused, and I kind of love it.
That there must also be some sort of meaning."
Faust was surprisingly good. Not in a - what a masterpiece - way; But in a - why am I laughing so hard and so frequently - way. The play is fun! It's an actually enjoyable read that is rendered more so due to how aware Goethe is of life. I could see myself in some of the characters - Wagner, sometimes in Faust - and being called out like that was unexpected, and kind of a blast. Especially in some of Mephistopheles lines -aka the best lines once Mephistopheles is the best character. I loved how one can choose between having just an enjoyable read and leave with a few things to think over, a few questions about the nature of after life; or actually try to go deep in all the possible analysis and the philosophy behind the book, solve the riddles that not even Goethe seemed to know the answers. 'Faust' is a classic that I will definitely reread, not only to go more deep, but also because it is so enjoyable!! (Also, probably going to reread together with my reread of 'The Master and Margarita', these two books make quite a pair).
"As I grow stagnant I shall be a slave,
Whether or not to anyone indebted."
And yet, it doesn't ~feel ~ like a five star read. Mainly because of the edition that I read, translated by Walter Kaufmann, that chose to cut the first scenes of the second part and give us a little synopsis instead. As someone who is extremely picky when it comes to translations I totally understand the translator's motives. As he himself put it: "To let Goethe speak English is one thing; to transpose into English his attempt to imitate Greek poetry in German is another". Added to all the numerous motives the he presented in the introduction, I can't really complain about the missing chapters. And yet... the huge abysm between the first scene of the Second Part and the fifth scene just threw me off. The synopsis given in the introduction (that shows really interesting lines that I am happy I got to read) wasn't enough to link the two moments for me.
"Of the beyond I have no thought
When you reduce this world to nought,
The other one may have its turn"
I also found really interesting how It reminded me of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (aka one of my favorite books). Mainly because, in my opinion, Dorian should not have used the portrait to define his actions, he could have just lived in his hedonistic way of life without seeking every possible vice just because he could (making life and art separate things, and in the same time making your life a work of art, if that makes any sense). Which is kind of what Faust does in this book. He doesn't become a bad man striving for the worst after making his pact with a devil, he just lives his life - "To strive for highest life with all my powers" - making some bad decisions, trying to fix them for the sake of it sometimes, and then continues to do whatever he wants, regardless of how crazy it is. Immune from Guilt, not much so from Care. And while Dorian got damned and killed himself, Faust was actually saved and went to heaven.
"Who ever strives with all his power,
We are allowed to save"
So basically, 'Faust' is surprisingly more crazy than I thought it would be; Surprisingly more fun than I thought it would be; Way more deep than I could possibly get to in one read; And with and ending that actually made me question myself a bit.
dark
medium-paced
i read it for class, was interesting to analyse but wouldn‘t have read it on my own. But I think its important to have read the book, one can find many references to this book in other works.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes