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Winnetou I
378 pages, Hardcover
Published June 23, 2024
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About the author
Karl May
1,471 books445 followersKarl Friedrich May (also Karol May) was one of the best selling German writers of all time, noted mainly for books set in the American Old West, (best known for the characters of Winnetou and Old Shatterhand) and similar books set in the Orient and Middle East. In addition, he wrote stories set in his native Germany, in China and in South America.
May also wrote poetry and several plays, as well as composing music; he was proficient with several musical instruments. May's musical version of "Ave Maria" became very well known.
May also wrote poetry and several plays, as well as composing music; he was proficient with several musical instruments. May's musical version of "Ave Maria" became very well known.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 10, 2025
It was a ridiculous Western, but it was interesting since it was was one of the best selling German books of all time. In that sense, it was fun to see the "wild West" through the eyes of a German of the 1890s, and knowing that many important historical figures read this book. (The conception of American geography from a 19th century German was also hilarious; you can apparently ride several thousand miles on a horse very quickly)
The character Old Shatterhand was a "Mary Sue" if there ever were one - he was overly capable of any challenge and it obviously lessened any purported tension in the story. He was a German who read a lot of books and then went to America - obviously that was the most efficient way to become the best American cowboy. It also greatly amused me that Karl May always made the old, grizzled American cowboy say "hihihihi." Definitely of the pop-culture quality of literature, but it now has historical importance. And it made me appreciate the movie "Der Schuh des Manitu" a bit more.
The character Old Shatterhand was a "Mary Sue" if there ever were one - he was overly capable of any challenge and it obviously lessened any purported tension in the story. He was a German who read a lot of books and then went to America - obviously that was the most efficient way to become the best American cowboy. It also greatly amused me that Karl May always made the old, grizzled American cowboy say "hihihihi." Definitely of the pop-culture quality of literature, but it now has historical importance. And it made me appreciate the movie "Der Schuh des Manitu" a bit more.
Displaying 1 of 1 review