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lucazani11's review
4.0
"Faust" is a literary work of profound depth and complexity, written by one of the greatest literary figures of the German Romantic era, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The play is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving deep into the themes of morality, temptation, redemption, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. It tells the story of Faust, a disillusioned scholar who, in his quest for knowledge and worldly pleasures, makes a pact with the devil, Mephistopheles. The play traces Faust's journey as he grapples with his inner demons, navigating through the moral dilemmas that arise from his unholy alliance with the devil. Along the way, Faust falls in love with a young woman named Gretchen, whose innocence and purity serve as a stark contrast to his own corrupted soul. The play ultimately ends in tragedy, as Faust's actions lead to the downfall of Gretchen and himself. "Faust" is a richly nuanced work that rewards careful reading and interpretation, and its enduring appeal lies in its ability to resonate with readers across time and cultures.
catcardoso's review against another edition
it’s giving bible fanfiction from a mans pov (read for uni)
adrianasturalvarez's review
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Undoubtedly a masterwork of world literature, any rating from me is more a rating of me than Goethe's lifelong project (I cannot imagine what it would be like to work on something for 60 years... and then to fuck up the ending oof). The play covers everything from religion, society, morality, ambition, and witchy orgies like no other and I have to say I've felt like I've been in an argument with Goethe across time for the duration of my reading this. I have found this novel profoundly affecting - a little for the titular character, a lot for Mephistopheles, who is 10 times more interesting as a character. I also have a pretty soft spot for Gretchen and I haven't fully investigated my feelings about her character, Goethe's view of women or its entanglement with his conception of Christianity. It all seems very off, like maybe we need to reevaluate everything we've built from the Western canon of literature?
immila's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
boblanksma's review against another edition
I quite enjoyed the first part, because the scenes were short it was easy to read. The scenes in the second part are much longer, and thus take more effort. I read the first scene and understood very little, and I haven't had the motivation to continue after that. I would like to pick up the second part sometime in the future though, I would like to know how it ends.
liambetts's review
5.0
I finally picked this up after hearing Faust referenced by so many of the other things I was reading (namely, Kandel in In Search of Memory and Hofstadter in Godel, Escher, Bach). I read the Kauffmann translation, and absolutely loved it!
Mephistopheles is a real one. Don't have time for more thoughts rn but will update later.
Mephistopheles is a real one. Don't have time for more thoughts rn but will update later.
afonsobd's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0