The New Sorrows of Young W.
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
Edgar Wibeau, seventeen years old, has died on Christmas Eve in an unfortunate accident involving electricity. His father, who left the family when Edgard was five, interrogates those close to him, to find out what exactly happened - and who his son really was. Helpfully for the reader, Edgar himself punctuates the father's conversations with his mother, best friend Willi, and Charlie, the woman with whom Edgar was unhappily in love, to give us his version of events from beyond the grave - and a story magically reminiscent of Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther and Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye unfolds before our eyes. Originally conceived as a screenplay, Plenzdorf's modern classic was first published in East Germany in 1973. A satire about the cultural and social limits of the GDR, it has long been a set text in German schools, and its critical and popular success remains unabated.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1782270949
ISBN13:9781782270942
Release Date:September 2015
Publisher:Pushkin Collection
Length:160 Pages
Weight:0.36 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 4.6" x 6.4"
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Salinger meets Goethe in East Germany
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
This is a great book--I've never read the English translation and I'm sure it doesn't quite do the original justice (translations rarely do), but if you're a fan of The Catcher in the Rye or of Goethe (less likely :), then this is a MUST read. Basically, its the story of a teenager who is in love with an engaged girl (Charlie/Charlotte) in 1970s East Germany, who rebels against conformity, moves to Berlin alone and goes nuts. The work uses Salingeresque language and narration (or at least the German equivalent) full of heartache and melancholy. While you learn in the opening pages that Edgar (the protagonist) doesn't make it out alive, its a great trip to find out the how and the why of it. German literature doesn't get much better than this one.
One of my all time favorites
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I had to read this book in a German Lit course in college about 10 years ago. I loved it. It is a must read for any fan of "Catcher in the Rye." I loaned it to all my friends, unfortunately, somewhere along the line I never got it back. I have been looking for the book for about 4 years now... that is how great of a story it is. Glad to see it finally available here...
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
