[PDF] Effi Briest (German Edition) by Theodor Fontane in Arts-Photography

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great novelist.By BalbecTheodor Fontane was a wonderful writer. In a subtle disarming way. he addresses social. political. geographical. personal issues. He wrote in a way that illuminated the cultural influences in the Brandenburger March the rapid changes that were underway at his time. He did this through what seems to be a simple story-telling style. but his use of language was highly crafted. and he never told his readers what to think. The individuals essentially led their lives as they had to. because of who they were. Violence (in the form of a duel) sexual content (an affair) are dealt with as expressions of the characters emotions. but there are no graphic descriptions of the actual events. Those events occur fleetingly. becoming part of the causality of later events. Much has been said in comparing Effie Briest to Flauberts Madame Bovary; but Effie is a far more innocent person whose life is ruined by her own behavior. for which she accepts responsibility. while Emma Bovary is so narcissistic that one cannot empathize with her. Even the characters who might have been treated like villains by other writers are presented without florid descriptions; rather. they. too. are just who they are.Until I bought this volume. Id read Fontanne only in wonderful translations from the German. which left me wondering whether Id gotten the full sense of his writing. I am delighted that I now have further insight into the craft of this fine writer.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A window in timeBy Karin SingletonHow does one rate a classic that has already stood the test of time? It sheds an interesting light into the time in Germany before the World War I. I read the German edition because German is my first language. To somebody who speaks German not very competently. this will be difficult to read. Yet. at the same time. I cannot imagine how it could be translated and give justice to the brilliance of the language.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A classicBy DnvpaulFontane was a wonderful writer. Of course he reflects his period. which was more rigid and disciplined. Along with Thomas Mann. he was one of my favorite German writers. Effi Briest is a novel that provides non-Germans with a glimpse into the ordered life in Germany.