Gottfried Keller Livres

Un petit tailleur a quitté la ville où il vient de perdre son travail et se retrouve seul, affamé et sans le sou, sur une route de campagne. Ce curieux personnage, rêveur et timide, préférerait encore mourir de faim plutôt que de se séparer du magnifique manteau qui l'enveloppe et le fait ressembler à un jeune noble romantique. Alors qu'il gravit péniblement une colline et que la pluie menace, un cocher s'arrête et l'invite à monter dans sa calèche vide. Vers quel étrange destin va l'emporter le somptueux équipage ?

This work by the Swiss poet, Gottfried Keller, is part of the BCP German Texts series, designed to meet the needs of the growing A Level and undergraduate market for texts in the German language. Each text comes with English notes and vocabulary, and with an introduction by an expert.

Set against a rural Swiss backdrop, this tragic love story unfolds between the children of two feuding farmer families, the Martis and the Manz. Inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the narrative explores themes of love, family conflict, and the consequences of pride and hatred. As Vrenchen and Sali fall in love in secret, their relationship highlights the struggles of navigating inherited enmity and the responsibility to break the cycle for future generations. This novella is part of a series designed to enhance English reading skills for learners at levels A2 to B2.

The book features Martin Salander, a timeless Swiss-German classic, alongside A Village Romeo and Juliet, celebrated for its poetic realism. Together, these works explore deep emotional themes and the intricacies of love and societal constraints, showcasing the rich literary heritage of the nineteenth century. This collection offers readers a unique glimpse into the human experience through beautifully crafted narratives.

The book is a significant work in the realms of Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures, celebrated for its historical importance. Alpha Editions has undertaken the task of preserving it by republishing it in a modern format, ensuring clarity and readability through reformatting and redesigning. This effort highlights the commitment to maintain the book's legacy for both current and future readers, making it a valuable addition to literary collections.

The narrative explores themes of identity and social perception through the character of Wenzel Strapinski, an impoverished tailor's apprentice mistaken for a wealthy nobleman due to his refined appearance. Set in the small town of Goldach, he navigates the complexities of his false identity, enjoying the privileges that come with it while grappling with his conscience. As he becomes a beloved figure and falls for Nettchen, the daughter of a prominent official, the story critiques societal superficiality and the power of appearances, culminating in a dramatic engagement.

The story of young Henry, who struggles to fulfil his ambitions to become a successful painter and is torn between the gentle Anna and the proud and sensual Judith, is one of the most outstanding and personal Bildungsroman writ ten in the German language.

Kellers Werke in Fünf Bänden - 5. Der grüne Heinrich - 3. + 4. Band - bk1212; Aufbau Verlag; Gottfried Keller; Paperback; 1977