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The Freedom of Emma Herwegh
A gripping novel based on the life of the 19th-century revolutionary Emma Herwegh
As the daughter of a well-regarded family, Emma Siegmund causes a scandal by marrying the revolutionary poet Georg Herwegh. Committed to the socialist cause, she becomes the only woman to join the armed troops that bring the revolution from France to Germany in 1848. But when Georg falls madly in love with Natalie, the wife of his comrade Alexander Herzen, Emma finds her ideals challenged, setting off a private battle of fidelity and betrayal.
In this compelling, intimate novel, Dirk Kurbjuweit tells the story of a woman who does not bow to the prejudices of her time. In doing so, he shows us just how relevant her struggles are to contemporary life—in her contradictions, her ambitions, and her quest for freedom and happiness.
As the daughter of a well-regarded family, Emma Siegmund causes a scandal by marrying the revolutionary poet Georg Herwegh. Committed to the socialist cause, she becomes the only woman to join the armed troops that bring the revolution from France to Germany in 1848. But when Georg falls madly in love with Natalie, the wife of his comrade Alexander Herzen, Emma finds her ideals challenged, setting off a private battle of fidelity and betrayal.
In this compelling, intimate novel, Dirk Kurbjuweit tells the story of a woman who does not bow to the prejudices of her time. In doing so, he shows us just how relevant her struggles are to contemporary life—in her contradictions, her ambitions, and her quest for freedom and happiness.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2023
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Dirk Kurbjuweit
18 books40 followersDirk Kurbjuweit is deputy editor-in-chief at Der Spiegel, where he has worked since 1999, and divides his time between Berlin and Hamburg. He has received numerous awards for his writing, including the Egon Erwin Kisch Prize for journalism, and is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels, many of which, including Fear, have been adapted for film, television and radio in Germany. Fear is the first of his works to be translated into English.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 3, 2023
The Freedom of Emma Herwegh is the third novel by award-winning German journalist and author, Dirk Kurbjuweit to be translated into English from the German by Imogen Taylor. In her late seventies, and virtually penniless in Paris, Emma Herwegh, widow of revolutionary poet, Georg Herwegh, is describing an episode in her life to a young novelist and playwright named for Benjamin Franklin.
In 1842, when she is twenty-five and already in love with his words, Emma Siegmund invites Georg to her family home in Berlin. He has never met a woman so politically engaged. Despite being the daughter of a silk merchant, part of Berlin’s aristocracy, her upbringing has somehow produced an intellectual woman full of questions and criticism, one so passionate about freedom for the downtrodden, she has no qualms about being on the front line, wielding a weapon, if it means being part of a crowd with a higher purpose.
Interspersed with Emma’s narrative are parts of the story told from Georg’s perspective that cover the very early stages of their relationship. He discovers a woman with whom he can share opinions and ideals. At one stage, having proposed, Georg writes to her “Don’t love only the poet in me; though he feels strong and courageous enough to conquer the world, he may fall short of your expectations. Love me so much that you will be satisfied even if I fall short of your dreams.” He does (fall short), and she does (love him despite it all).
But at a time when there is action on the revolution front, Emma is thoroughly frustrated that Georg seems to have forsaken his inspiring poetry to study crustaceans in relation to history. She enlists others to fire him up, but her frustration doesn’t end there: she puts up posters, tries to insert herself into the male conversations by smoking cigars and discussing politics, she buys a set of pistols, cuts her hair short, wears pantaloons, and rides out to scout for one of the German Legion’s leaders, all for less acknowledgement that she hopes.
But Emma’s story for Benjamin centres on the Herzen Affair. Georg’s liaison with Natalie, the wife of his good friend, Alexander Herzen, is not his first extra-marital affair, but it’s so intense that Emma, determined not to lose him, takes extreme measures that include befriending Natalie and facilitating their correspondence. Benjamin now asks why she became Georg’s slave, and she replies “What do you suppose a woman had to do, if she wanted to achieve anything in politics?”
Even though she bears him four children, it’s pretty clear from several incidents that Emma is not a woman suited to raising children, able to freely abandon them, mostly into the care of others, when the passion for political action overtakes her. To Benjamin, she now bemoans their lack of contact.
While familiarity with 19th Century European historical events and prominent figures isn’t essential, it would likely enhance the enjoyment of this novel and merit it with a higher rating. Fascinating historical fiction based on real 19th Century figures.
This unbiased review is from a print copy provided by Text Publishing.
In 1842, when she is twenty-five and already in love with his words, Emma Siegmund invites Georg to her family home in Berlin. He has never met a woman so politically engaged. Despite being the daughter of a silk merchant, part of Berlin’s aristocracy, her upbringing has somehow produced an intellectual woman full of questions and criticism, one so passionate about freedom for the downtrodden, she has no qualms about being on the front line, wielding a weapon, if it means being part of a crowd with a higher purpose.
Interspersed with Emma’s narrative are parts of the story told from Georg’s perspective that cover the very early stages of their relationship. He discovers a woman with whom he can share opinions and ideals. At one stage, having proposed, Georg writes to her “Don’t love only the poet in me; though he feels strong and courageous enough to conquer the world, he may fall short of your expectations. Love me so much that you will be satisfied even if I fall short of your dreams.” He does (fall short), and she does (love him despite it all).
But at a time when there is action on the revolution front, Emma is thoroughly frustrated that Georg seems to have forsaken his inspiring poetry to study crustaceans in relation to history. She enlists others to fire him up, but her frustration doesn’t end there: she puts up posters, tries to insert herself into the male conversations by smoking cigars and discussing politics, she buys a set of pistols, cuts her hair short, wears pantaloons, and rides out to scout for one of the German Legion’s leaders, all for less acknowledgement that she hopes.
But Emma’s story for Benjamin centres on the Herzen Affair. Georg’s liaison with Natalie, the wife of his good friend, Alexander Herzen, is not his first extra-marital affair, but it’s so intense that Emma, determined not to lose him, takes extreme measures that include befriending Natalie and facilitating their correspondence. Benjamin now asks why she became Georg’s slave, and she replies “What do you suppose a woman had to do, if she wanted to achieve anything in politics?”
Even though she bears him four children, it’s pretty clear from several incidents that Emma is not a woman suited to raising children, able to freely abandon them, mostly into the care of others, when the passion for political action overtakes her. To Benjamin, she now bemoans their lack of contact.
While familiarity with 19th Century European historical events and prominent figures isn’t essential, it would likely enhance the enjoyment of this novel and merit it with a higher rating. Fascinating historical fiction based on real 19th Century figures.
This unbiased review is from a print copy provided by Text Publishing.
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February 9, 2024The following reviews have been shared by Text Publishing - publisher of The Freedom of Emma Herwegh:
‘Emma is an interesting woman, one who did not bow to the ideals of her time and class, and who was determined to do what was important and right…I enjoyed the book, and learned something, which is always a fine thing.’
Lesley West, Good Reading
‘Tells an instantly recognisable story of a talented woman surrounded by men who justify their selfishness with grand rhetoric and theories.’
Saturday Paper
‘Illuminates a fascinating period of world history as revolution and change swept through Europe...By putting a forthright woman at the centre of his narrative, Kurbjuweit digs into the attitudes and prejudices of the time while also telling a fascinating story about a singular character.’
Pile By The Bed
‘Emma is an interesting woman, one who did not bow to the ideals of her time and class, and who was determined to do what was important and right…I enjoyed the book, and learned something, which is always a fine thing.’
Lesley West, Good Reading
‘Tells an instantly recognisable story of a talented woman surrounded by men who justify their selfishness with grand rhetoric and theories.’
Saturday Paper
‘Illuminates a fascinating period of world history as revolution and change swept through Europe...By putting a forthright woman at the centre of his narrative, Kurbjuweit digs into the attitudes and prejudices of the time while also telling a fascinating story about a singular character.’
Pile By The Bed
June 13, 2025
Took me ages to finish this and on more than one occasion I was a bit disgusted at some of what I was reading. The typesetting of the poems in italics was a little bit hard to decipher as well which slowed me down because there’s large chunks of it.
By the end I had admiration for the woman
By the end I had admiration for the woman
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews