Reading Classifieds

I wanted to post here first before I went shopping around without any real knowledge of what I'm looking for; I'm in search of German literature (especially plays, short novels, and poems), and I was wondering if anybody out there has any good compilations (especially if somebody happens to have a book lying around that includes poems by Bertold Brecht). I figure it's better to try out here than to just take shots in the dark on Amazon.de or somewhere like that.

Thbbbbt

This post was edited by Magnifico on Apr 06, 2005.

This depends on what you're looking for - classic German literature, like Goethe, Schiller, classics of the 20th century, like from Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Günther Grass, and so on, stuff written by the German expressionists, like Franz Kafka or Gottfried Benn, or up-to-date stuff, which is quite overwhelming.

I'd suggest you to begin with German translations of books you already know (ie. translated from English to German). Good reads are eg. compilations of Isaac Asimov's works, Arthur C. Clark, Larry Niven, and such. If you still want to read some good, easy to read, original German stuff on first encounter, you should some of the earlier works of Wolfgang Hohlbein a try. About current novel authors I could ask my father as he is teaching German as a main subject in school (Fachoberschule / Berufsoberschule).

That's it from my side for now, simply because it's 02:44 a.m. over here and I oughta get up early tomorrow, taking part on a small demonstration organized by the german part of FFII, sorry.

cu, w0lf.

Multiple exclamation marks are a sure sign for a diseased mind!

Günther Grass,

No, please W0lf, do not suggest him that particular author. I am reading a few stuff by him for my German literature exam, and it is a real pain in the ass. Hard to follow, and pretty boring. Magnifico, if you still want to read something by him, stay away from Im Krebsgang and Ein weites Feld.

It really depends on what you want to read. I have enjoyed a lot Uwe Timm, "Am Beispiel meines Bruders", and also by Berthold Brecht I am reading something which is kinda good, "Leben des Galilei"

As soon as I read "Lagerfeuer" by Julia Frank, I'll let you know how it is, unless of course you have already read it.
All of these are sort of classical novels (aside the one by Brecht) about the war mainly.

It depends if you want some topic more relaxed than that or not, that's all. If you want to read some classics of the 1700 or 1800, I would suggest you "Einrich von Ofterdingen" by Novalis, Der gestiefelte Kater by Tieck (it's a drama), "Peter Schlemil" (I don't remember the author, and probably the title should be something like "The marvellous story of Peter Schlemil")

These are my suggestions. Oh and... I am kinda sure that you have already read him, but, in case you haven't... don't forget the trilogy by Kafka!

Un bacio è un'apostrofo rosa scritto tra le parole "ti amo".

Hmmm. The problem with german poems (and other languages, too?) is that most of the good ones are not exactly easy to read. Most of the rest are of course eye-crossingly boring or just plain awful, and thus not exactly what you're looking for. :-)

Brecht has written an incredible number of books and short stories. I admittedly don't know his works too well, so you're probably better off not asking me about him. :-)

If you want a few plays that are easy to read and still entertaining, you might want to check out Friedrich Dürrenmatt, e.g. Die Physiker (The Physicists), Der Besuch der alten Dame (The Visit Of The Old Lady) or Das Versprechen (The Pledge, on which the movie with the same name is based on). I like him not only because he's a Swiss :-) but mainly for his funny stories with light-hearted use of black humor.

If you're looking for classics, Schiller may be a better choice than Goethe, because his works are easily available in a more modern language.

Of course it depends on what kind of literature you're looking for. Dürrenmatt's plays are usually for lovers of gallows humor, while Brecht's primary aim is to educate his audience and Goethe is an all-round genius and covert pervert. Are you looking for stuff to improve your German, and if yes, at what level?

If you're interested I can send you a few books by Dürrenmatt or Wolfgang Borchert, Goethe's Faust I (including secondary literature I think) and tons of translated Stephen King novels. Just name the title and/or the approx. number of pages.
(Are you into comics as well? I have german versions of Gilbert Shelton's Freak Brothers and stories by U-Comics's perverse genius Edika.)

One last thing - stay away from Robert Musil. His book "Die Verwirrungen des Zöglings Törleß" was one of the most traumatizing experiences in the 13 years I attended school.

"*sigh* Some men are really hard to manipulate!" - Orchid

His book "Die Verwirrungen des Zöglings Törleß" was one of the most traumatizing experiences in the 13 years I attended school.

Oh, why that, you poor? Was it that boring?

"Sie wollen nichts anderes. Sie wollen kämpfen! Sie sind Soldaten! Fucking Wahnsinnige!" - Noel G.

Was it that boring?

In short, yes. Abnormal teenage angst and boring everyday moments wrapped up in a bad excuse for a pointless story, which might be less painful if it wasn't described with an unnecessarily over-complicated language and carried out by characters absolutely unable to arouse even the slightest trace of interest in the reader.
Being forced to read, discuss and analyze the book didn't help me like it better either.

"*sigh* Some men are really hard to manipulate!" - Orchid

One last thing - stay away from Robert Musil. His book "Die Verwirrungen des Zöglings Törleß" was one of the most traumatizing experiences in the 13 years I attended school.

Awww I adore that book. It's probably one of the best I have read for my German literature exam. But probably this is becasue I sort of like such novels. ;)

Un bacio è un'apostrofo rosa scritto tra le parole "ti amo".

It's probably one of the best I have read for my German literature exam.

Whoah, if that was one of the best books I don't dare to imagine how bad the rest of them must have sucked! :-P
Anyways, I'll gladly send you my copy (along with your late brthday packet), just let me know and I'll be happy to have found a way to get rid of it!

"*sigh* Some men are really hard to manipulate!" - Orchid

No no.. don't worry :P I read it in Italian, and that's more than enough. I already have had to read two books in German, and I can tell you that I couldn't stand reading a third one ;) even if I already know the story :)

For now I just want to take the exam, and forget about it :P

Un bacio è un'apostrofo rosa scritto tra le parole "ti amo".