Aus meinem Leben

by Franz Michael Felder

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464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Life in the Making tells the story of Franz Michael Felder who was born into a middle-class family of farmers, in 1839 in Schoppernau, whose property was at any given time at least two-thirds in debt. Felder, who was nearly blind in one eye due to doctor malpractice, attended a two-class primary school and always had an interest in the written word. In 1861, he married Anna Katharina “Nanni” Moosbrugger from Au. She was, like Felder, well read and composed poetry and the two had five children together. Nanni died in 1868 and Felder died just a year later in 1869 at the age of 29. Franz Michal Felder is recognised as one of Vorarlberg’s first social reformers.

He endeavoured to change the difficult social and economic prospects that affected many people in the region from the ground up. In order to try to break the nearly unlimited economic power of the region’s cheese dealers, Felder founded the first agricultural cooperative. His activities met with heavy resistance, especially from the clergy. Franz Michael Felder was erudite and an avid writer. He subscribed to many newspapers including the socially critical “Gartenlaube,” for which he also wrote. His social criticism and societal utopian ideals were the topic of his novels, “Sonderlinge (Eccentrics)” and “Reich und Arm (Rich and Poor).”

He is recognised as one of the most legendary Vorarlbergers. His short, intense life exuded tremendous energy and was shaped by the will for changes in society, literature and politics. His name stands for courage and enlightenment, for utopia and resistance, for tradition and renewal. This memoir explores Felder's personal life and his multilayered work. However, in addition to the impressive and emotional life story, it also allows an authentically precise insight into the everyday life of the conservative, rural milieu in the Bregenzerwald. A Life in the Making was completed only a short time before his death and hailed as a masterpiece. A compelling, captivating and absorbing read about a much neglected historical figure who deserves to be remembered for his work regardless of if you accept his ideology. Highly recommended.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im östlichen Österreich nur wenigen Literaturinteressierten bekannt, genießt Franz Michael Felder im Westen, und da naturgemäß in Vorarlberg, höchstes Ansehen - und das zu Recht. 1839 geboren und sehr jung, 1869, gestorben. Ein Bauernbub aus dem Bregenzerwald entwickelt so viel Lebensklugheit, Lebensgefühl und Leidenschaft, dass er in der kurzen Lebensspanne die ihm zugedacht war, unglaubliches ins Werk setzte. Nicht nur in der Literatur, auch als Reformer und Widerpart zum alles niederhaltenden Pfarrer setzte er für die Bauern im Bregenzerwald die Grenzpfähle des Möglichen neu. Ein großartiger Text, ein ganz besonderer Autor. Und mich freut's, dass wir erst vorige Woche seinen Heimatort Schoppernau, sein Geburtshaus und den so umstrittenen Gedenkstein am Friedhof besucht haben.

[Sharanya Venugopal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Life in the Making is a memoir of the life of Franz Michael Felder in which he gives us an in-depth, introspective look into his life and the experiences that played a pivotal role in the groundwork of his life's ideologies. Set in the 19th century, the story of his life is quite the contrast of the life that we are leading in this day and age. This difference in time, society and ideologies is what intrigues me most about this book. The gradual progression of his view of the world what beautifully put together. However, personally I thought that a few parts of the story seemed slow and slightly repetitive, but that was only my personal opinion. I would definitely suggest this book to a reader who is interested to deep dive into the genesis of one's own philosophy of life which is independent of the societal pressures and limitations.

[Evan Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you think you have nothing in common with a young dude living in an Austrian farming village in the 1800’s, you are wrong.

[Johann Guenther · Rating 4 out of 5]

FELDER, Franz Michael: "Aus meinem Leben", Konstanz 2013
Was Peter Rossegger für die Steiernmark war ist Felderer für Vorarlberg. Er beschreibt das bäuerliche Leben im Bregenzerwald im 19. Jahrhundert. Wie er aufgewachsen ist. Wie er das erste Mal mit dem Vater zur Kirche ging. Wie er seine Braut kennengelernt und geheiratet hat.
Er war aber kein gewöhnlicher Bauer. Er war ein schreibender Bauer. Alles wurde in einem Tagebuch festgehalten. Später verfasste er seine Biografie. Das vorliegende Buch „Aus meinem Leben“ befasst sich mit der Zeit seiner Kindheit bis zu seiner Heirat.
Man wird auch mit bregenzerwäldlerischen Worten und Formulierungen konfrontiert, die man ohen Erklärung nicht verstehen würde. So etwa das Wort „auf den Strich gehen“:
„Wohl fast jeder Bregenzerwälder an meinem Platz hätte das Heimgehen der Fremden, ja wohl auch das Zubettgehen der Hausbewohner abgewartet und wäre dann wenigstens bis Mitternacht bei dem Mädchen auf dem Strich geblieben.“ (Seite 230)
Leider wurde Felder nur 30 Jahre alt, sonst wäre uns, der Nachwelt, mehr erhalten geblieben.

(Flachau, 30.07.2014)