التقرير السري عن الشاعر غوته الذي اجتاز امتحانا في جزيرة عربية

by Rafik Schami, Uwe-Michael Gutzschhahn, نهى فورست (مترجمة)

كانت "حلم" محل أساطير وخرافات, فكثير من قصص الشاطيء العربي تحكي عن غرابة أطوار سكان هذه الجزيرة, بل تؤكد تحالفهم مع الشيطان تحالفا يجعلهم لا يُهزمون
ودع توما الجميع في الجزيرة وشق طريقه الطويل إلى برلين حيث قضى هناك سنة كاملة, جمع خلالها كل ما توفر له عن الأدباء والشعراء والمفكرين الألمان. في الليلة الأولى بدأ توما حديثه: إنه لشرف لي أن أعرّفكم على أحد أعظم المفكرين الألمان الشاعر يوهان فولفجانج فون جوته. إن حياته غنية ومتعددة النواحي, حتى أن تجسيمها وتوضيحها لكم نوعا ما يحتاج مني سبع ليال كاملة على أقل تقدير

Genres: Fiction, German Literature

245 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Born in Damascus, Syria in 1946, Rafik Schami (Arabic: رفيق شامي) is the son of a baker from an Arab-Christian (originally Aramaic) family. His schooling and university studies (diploma in chemistry) took place in Damascus. From 1965, Schami wrote stories in Arabic. From 1964-70 he was the co-founder and editor of the wall news-sheet Al-Muntalak (The Starting-Point) in the old quarter of the city. In 1971 Schami moved to Heidelberg and financed further studies by typical guest worker jobs (factories, building sites, restaurants). He earned his doctorate in chemistry in 1979 and began career in the chemical industry. In his spare time, he co-founded the literary group Südwind in 1980 and was part of the PoLiKunst movement. Schami became a full time author in 1982. He lives in Kirchheimbolanden with his Bavarian wife and son and he holds dual citizenship. Schami's books have been translated into 20 languages

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rafik Schami's and Uwe-Michael Gutzschhahn's Der geheime Bericht über den Dichter Goethe, der eine Prüfung auf einer arabischen Insel bestand is for all intents and purposes a simply delightful and readable (fictional but also of course somewhat nonfictional as well) introduction to the literature of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (basically conceptualised for German junior or senior high school students, and thus generally teenagers from about the ages of fourteen to nineteen or so, although many adults would likely also find this novel engaging and informative, provided that they are indeed interested in Goethe, in German literature). And as such, as a tome that basically just introduces a literary icon to teenagers, while I do highly recommend Der Geheime Bericht über den Dichter Goethe, der eine Prüfung auf einer arabischen Insel bestand, I also realise that for the intended audience, for teenaged readers, the subject matter might not necessarily be all that much to their taste simply because they might balk at reading a novel about Goethe (which is a true pity, in my opinion, as Der geheime Bericht über den Dichter Goethe, der eine Prüfung auf einer arabischen Insel bestand does for the most part perform a more than admirable task of introducing a complex and versatile true Renaissance man like Goethe and his not always easy and accessible oeuvre in a simple, easily understood and engaging manner). But due to the rather specific subject matter, I do indeed only recommend this novel with a certain amount of reservations (and the caveat that an above basic level fluency in German is most definitely not only suggested, but more than likely also very much and definitely required).

Encased in a frame narrative vaguely reminiscent of The Arabian Nights, Thomas (or rather Prince Tuma, as he is known on the legendary Arabian island of Hulm, his and his mother's adopted homeland) introduces Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and his diverse writings in eight nights with the hope that Sultan Hakim, who is also Tuma's best friend (and almost like a brother to him) will consider Goethe's works as worthy of the Hulm Library (which does come to pass on the ninth day, as Goethe and his oeuvre are indeed chosen for this high honour). Prince Tuma's choices (which I guess would therefore also represent the choices of the two authors) of which works of Goethe to present during those eight nights are varied and interesting (from The Sorrows of Young Werther to of course, Faust and even Goethe's scientific theories regarding colours), although I would have personally liked more of Goethe's poetry and dramatic works featured, but that would probably have made Der geheime Bericht über den Dichter Goethe, der eine Prüfung auf einer arabischen Insel bestand much too extensive in scope (and this is really just my academic self speaking, and as such an academic self who has always preferred Goethe's poetry to especially much of his prose).

The detailed and often minute presentation of Goethe's diverse literary accomplishments and the back and forth post presentation debates not only glowingly introduce the former but also then much expand the readers' knowledge of Goethe, demonstrating commonalities, comparisons and contrasts to and with the literatures and philosophies of the Near and Middle East, of Arabian epics, plays and philosophical treatises. And as such, and especially with regard to the debates and arguments presented and depicted, one exceedingly positive, in all ways thought-provoking, eye-opening scenario is the salient fact that while Der geheime Bericht über den Dichter Goethe, der eine Prüfung auf diner arabischen Insel bestand is most definitely situated, most definitely takes place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Hulm academics listening to Prince Tuma's (Thomas') presentation of Goethe's literature are shown, are described as being both male and female professors and philosophers. And with that piece of relevant information, I mean to point out that while in 19th and 20th century Europe (as well as in North America for that matter), female academics were not only still a rarity, but often hardly even accepted, on the fictional Arabian island of Hulm, there is obviously a rather equal balance of male and female academics, and both enjoy equal opportunities and equal academic respect (and while I am of course not entirely sure how true to the actual history of Arabia, of the Near and Middle East this featured factoid is, it does beg questions and is definitely food for both thought and debate so to speak).

Now as much as I do appreciate and even much much enjoy Der geheime Bericht über den Dichter Goethe, der eine Prüfung auf einer arabischen Insel bestand, I do have some rather major issues with especially the novel's ending. The eight days of Goethe being presented, with the ninth day as the decision to have his literary work included in the Hulm Library, take more than one hundred odd pages (and while not overly and exhaustingly descriptive, provide a solid and detailed introduction to each of Goethe's featured literary oeuvres). However, the ending of the story, about what happens post the decision day, including the total destruction of the island of Hulm by the British (and Hakim and Tuma's deaths), feels horribly and massively rushed, even rather tacked on, and is pushed through in only six rather sparsely detailed pages (really quite a let-down and disappointment, leaving me personally annoyed and dissatisfied enough to only consider a high three star rating).

And finally, although this is not really all that much of an actual criticism, but rather the observation of someone who has advanced university degrees in German literature, I would also like to mention and point out that the presentations and interpretations of Goethe's literature are (and probably by mere and simple necessity) rather the standardly accepted and most popular analyses. And thus, if you are perhaps looking for interpretations of Goethe's Werther or his Faust that are a bit more unconventional (and critical), Der geheime Bericht über den Dichter Goethe, der eine Prüfung auf arabischen Insel bestand will generally not produce and feature this (but again, that is not really the purpose of this novel, as it means to provide a general, simple introduction to Goethe and his work, and this has definitely been more than achieved by the authors, by Rafik Schami and Uwe-Michael Gutzschhhahn).

[Mia]

So viel hat mich mit meinem Opa verbunden, aber ganz besonders werde ich immer seine Liebe zur Literatur teilen. Als großer Verehrer Rafik Schamis hat er mir schon früh dessen Bücher geschenkt und mir auch dieses Buch mit 14 oder 15 erstmalig zum Lesen gegeben.
Ich werde nie wieder mit ihm darüber sprechen können, aber ihm zu Ehren habe ich es nochmal lesen müssen.
Danke für alles Opa❤️

[Sharaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

إلى القمر
ها أنت ذا تعود صامتًا تملأ الدغل والوهاد
ببريق الضباب
وتمنح روحي في النهاية
حريتها الكاملة،

تنشر فوق أجوائي
نظرتك الرهيفة،
بحنانٍ كعين الصديق
ترف فوق مصيري.

قلبي يحس رنين كل زمنٍ
بهيجًا كان أم حزينًا،
وأنا أسبح بين البهجة والألم
في وحدتي،
واصل سيلك، أيها النهر الحبيب!
فلن تعود إلى البهجة أبدًا،
بعد أن غيبت عنك الدعابة والقبلة،
وغيبت الوفاء.

مرة كنت أمتلك حقًا
ما هو عذب لذيذ!
ولعذابي لم تعد لي قدرة
على نسيانه أبدًا!
اهدر أيها النهر، على امتداد الوهاد
دونما استراحة ولا هدوء،
اهدر واهمس لأغنيتي
بألحانك البديعة.

عندما تفيض غضبًا
في الليالي الشتوية،
أو في روعة الربيع
تنمو البراعم اليافعة.

سعيد هو من يعرض عن العالم
دونما نفور
ويضم إلى صدره حبيبا
ويجني نعماه.

ما لم يعرفه الناس
أو لم يفكروا فيه
وهو في متاه الصدر
يسبح في غمرة الليل.

[ناديا · Rating 3 out of 5]

رواية لطيفة خفيفة اقرب للسيرة، حيث يقوم المؤلف بابتداع جزيرة اسطورية يحكمها سلطان، يؤمها العلماء والادباء، فيزورها توما الالماني ويدخل في تحدي للحديث عمن يراه اهم المفكرين الالمان، فيحكي في ليال تسع عن غوته، من خلال استعراض اهم مؤلفاته حسب رأيه.

بقيت زيارة منزل غوته فيةفرانكفورت عالقا في ذهني، مع رغبة عامرة لولوج عالمه الذي بدا حميما مريحا في زوايا البيت.

[Francie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A good introduction to Goethe's oeuvre told in a slightly odd but interesting background story.

[Jonas Reif · Rating 2 out of 5]

Besser einfach Goethe lesen.

[Wera Steffens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es gibt kaum einen schöneren Weg, einen der größten deutschen Dichter kennen zu lernen oder sich sein Leben und seine Werke wieder ins Gedächtnis zu rufen!

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Die Sonne kommt! Ein Prachterscheinen!
Der Sichelmond umklammert sie.
Wer konnte solch ein Paar vereinen?
Dies Rätsel, wie erklärt sich's? Wie?

Wer sich selbst und Andre kennt,
Wird auch hier erkennen:
Orient und Occident
Sind nicht mehr zu trennen.
Sinnig zwischen beiden Welten
Sich zu wiegen lass' ich gelten;
Also zwischen Ost und Westen
Sich bewegen, sei's zum Besten!

Auch sey’s ein Bild von unsrer Wonne!
Schon seh ich wieder mich und dich,
Du nennst mich, Liebchen, deine Sonne,
Komm, süßer Mond, umklammre mich! "