![]() ![]() Der Tod in Venedig (“Death in Venice”) (1912) by Thomas Mannįrom one of the world’s most celebrated writers comes this popular novella about a writer named Gustav von Aschenbach who, looking for inspiration to cure his writer’s block, visits Venice. The novel traces their adventures and their meetings and is a treat for history buffs and adventure-lovers alike. While von Humboldt believed in exploring the world physically, Gauss had a much more “ivory tower” approach to his science. ![]() The novel explores the lives and personalities of these two historical figures as they pursued their interest through two very different approaches. Through historical fiction, it tells the stories of Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauss, scientists in the 19 th century who were both interested in measuring the world. This bestselling comic novel is so popular that it was made into a movie in 2012. Die Vermessung der Welt (“Measuring the World”) (2005) by Daniel Kehlmann Though it deals with a difficult subject matter, Sebald’s prose is relatively simple and straight-forward and a good challenge for a German student of intermediate-advanced level. Full of powerful metaphors, the text asks us to consider what concepts like trauma, memory, and foreignness really mean. Though not a text explicitly about the Holocaust, Sebald certainly focuses on the way that the lives of these emigrants were impacted by the tragic events of WWII. SebaldĪnother great text to ease yourself into the world of German literature is this collection of narratives which recount the narrator’s relationship with four different characters who are all German emigrants to either the US or England. Die Ausgewanderten (“The Emigrants”) (1992) by W.G. The novella focuses on how Gregor adjusts to his new life as a vermin and how his transformation affects his family.ĭealing with themes like alienation and the absurdity of life, this text is considered a seminal work of 20 th century fiction and is a must-read for any German-language student. Die Verwandlung tells the story of the salesman Gregor Samsa who one day wakes up to find himself transformed into a big, gruesome insect for not apparent reason. Second, it is relatively short so you don’t have to be scared of a big commitment. First, you may have already read this text in your high school English class, which might make it easier to get through. This text is perfect for those of you who are still skeptical about taking the plunge into German literature. (Download) 1.Die Verwandlung (“The Metamorphosis”) (1915) by Franz Kafka ![]() This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that youĬlick here to get a copy. Berlin Alexanderplatz (1929) by Alfred Döblin Biedermann und die Brandstifter (“The Fire Raisers”) (1958) by Max Frisch Der Besuch der alten Dame (“The Visit”) (1956) by Friedrich Dürrenmatt Der Vorleser (“The Reader”) (1995) by Bernhard Schlink Der Tod in Venedig (“Death in Venice”) (1912) by Thomas Mann 1.Die Verwandlung (“The Metamorphosis”) (1915) by Franz Kafka.There are thousands of amazing German texts just waiting to inspire you! In this post, I’ll share eight classics perfect for curious souls and German language learners alike. If there is one thing that Germans are known for, it is their contributions to world literature. German Classic Literature: 8 Renowned Reads You Shouldn’t Miss ![]()
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