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Elderflowers
Elderflowers is set in a small German village and revolves around the life of Bernhard, a middle-aged man who returns to his hometown after spending many years away. The story is named after the elderflower plant, which symbolizes various themes throughout the novel, including the passage of time and the changing nature of life.
Upon returning to his village, Bernhard finds that much has changed in his absence. He encounters old friends, former lovers, and the evolving dynamics of his hometown. The novel explores his interactions with these individuals, revealing the complexities of his relationships and the impact of his return on the community.
As Bernhard reconnects with his past, he reflects on his life choices, the paths he has taken, and the consequences of those choices. The novel delves into themes of nostalgia, regret, and the quest for redemption. Through Bernhard’s experiences, Raabe examines the passage of time and the way it affects personal and communal relationships.
Upon returning to his village, Bernhard finds that much has changed in his absence. He encounters old friends, former lovers, and the evolving dynamics of his hometown. The novel explores his interactions with these individuals, revealing the complexities of his relationships and the impact of his return on the community.
As Bernhard reconnects with his past, he reflects on his life choices, the paths he has taken, and the consequences of those choices. The novel delves into themes of nostalgia, regret, and the quest for redemption. Through Bernhard’s experiences, Raabe examines the passage of time and the way it affects personal and communal relationships.
- GenresClassics
56 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 1863
15 people want to read
About the author
Wilhelm Raabe
380 books17 followersWilhelm Raabe (1831 - 1910) was a German novelist. His early works were published under the pseudonym of Jakob Corvinus.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 10, 2020
Der Kommentar bzw. das ausführliche Nachwort zur Wirkungsgeschichte, gerade im Hinblick auf den Antisemitismus des Hungerpastors sind die Hauptattraktion dieser Ausgabe.
Meine Rezi befindet sich hier: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Meine Rezi befindet sich hier: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 9, 2013
Die kurze Novella von Raabe handelt von der Liebe zwischen einem Medizinstudenten und einem jüdischen Mädchen. Handlungsort ist Prag um 1820. Ich bin sehr beeindruckt von Raabes Schreibstil, welcher sehr realistisch und bildlich ist. Auch die Liebesgeschichte hat eine viel tiefere Bedeutung. Eine empfehlenswerte Kurzgeschichte von einem wenig bekannten Autor.
December 28, 2015
This charming, elegiac tale is well worth the time required to read it for anyone anxious to become better acquainted with nineteenth century Prussian literature. Elderflowers is a tender reflection on the pain that when experiences when a loved one dies. Published seven years before Jews were emancipated in the Prussian Empire it is also a call for an end to social and legal discrimination against Jews.
Noticing elder flowers in the home where a young girl has recently died, the protagonist a Medical Doctor in his fifties thinks back to the elder flowers of the Jewish cemetery of Prague and Jemimah the niece of the cemetery's caretaker. Jemimah teaches the young medical student about the richness of her religion and inspires him to abandon his dissipated lifestyle so as to thoroughly dedicate himself to his profession. She then conveniently dies of an unnamed illness so as to spare the hero of having to terminate a relationship which society would never has accepted.
This story contains many beautifully written passages that describe the legendary cemetery. Jemimah is a truly enchanting heroine. The reader should well forgive Raabe for resorting in several places to heavily used devices from the canon of sentimental literarue.
Noticing elder flowers in the home where a young girl has recently died, the protagonist a Medical Doctor in his fifties thinks back to the elder flowers of the Jewish cemetery of Prague and Jemimah the niece of the cemetery's caretaker. Jemimah teaches the young medical student about the richness of her religion and inspires him to abandon his dissipated lifestyle so as to thoroughly dedicate himself to his profession. She then conveniently dies of an unnamed illness so as to spare the hero of having to terminate a relationship which society would never has accepted.
This story contains many beautifully written passages that describe the legendary cemetery. Jemimah is a truly enchanting heroine. The reader should well forgive Raabe for resorting in several places to heavily used devices from the canon of sentimental literarue.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews