The New Sorrows of Young W. by Ulrich Plenzdorf
The novel is a modern retelling of Goethe's classic, set in East Germany during the 1970s. It follows Edgar Wibeau, a disillusioned young man who rebels against societal norms and the constraints of his environment. Seeking authenticity and meaning, Edgar leaves his home to live in an abandoned summer house, where he immerses himself in literature and introspection. Through a series of letters and reflections, the story explores themes of youthful angst, existential searching, and the clash between individual desires and societal expectations, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion.
The 2514th greatest book of all time
Purchase from
Bookshop.org or
Amazon
- Published
- 1972
- Nationality
- German
- Length
- Very Short
- Pages
- 144
- Original Language
- German
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.0)
- Alternate Titles
- - Die neuen Leiden des jungen W.
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following 4 lists:
- 100 Books From The Last 100 Years (Der SPIEGEL)
- 100 German Must-Reads (Deutsche Welle)
- Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher (Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher)
- The 100 Best Books in the World (AbeBooks.de (in German))