The Sorrows of Young Werther
Description
Through intimate diary entries, this groundbreaking novel follows Werther, a sensitive and passionate young man consumed by an impossible love for Charlotte, the wife of his closest friend. Goethe's semi-autobiographical masterpiece captures the turbulent emotional landscape of a soul torn between admiration and anguish, exploring themes of unrequited desire, social alienation, and the conflict between individual passion and societal duty. Originally published in 1774, this work became a defining text of the Sturm und Drang movement and profoundly shaped the Romantic era that followed, resonating with generations of readers who recognized their own emotional struggles in Werther's poignant journey. The novel's raw psychological depth and lyrical prose established new possibilities for the form, transforming the intimate diary into a vehicle for exploring the depths of human longing and despair. A timeless meditation on love, loss, and the price of idealism, this classic remains as emotionally compelling today as when it first captivated European audiences.
Available Editions
paperback
Modern Library
Published Jan 1, 2005
149 pages
ISBN: 9780812969900
paperback
Penguin
Published Aug 1, 1989
148 pages
ISBN: 9780140445039
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Details
First Published
1774
Language
eng
Translation
Original: Die Leiden des jungen Werthers
From: deu
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.