Die Abenteuer des Don Sylvio von Rosalva

by Christoph Martin Wieland, Sven-Aage Joergensen

Christoph Martin Werke. Herausgegeben von Fritz Martini und Hans Werner Seiffert, Mü Hanser, 1964 ff. Leipzig (Weidmanns Erben und Reich) 1772 (anonym).

Genres: 18th Century, German Literature

538 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1764

About the author

Christoph Martin Wieland (1733 – 1813) was a German poet and writer.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

So yes, Don Sylvio's exploits and (mis)adventures (in many ways, much like Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, and even with an accompanying servant à la Sancho Panza), his firm belief (and against ALL reason and logical, enlightened explanation) that the blue butterfly he had chanced to see, is not simply an insect but an enchanted and cursed fairy princess, all this is not only a deliciously fun and delightful 18th century romp (full of whimsy, satire and sometimes biting but necessary societal criticism), it clearly and distinctly demonstrates author Christoph Martin Wieland's own Enlightenment philosophy (namely that one must show moderation in all things, including one's imagination, including one's reading and choice of reading materials). For it is Don Sylvio's education (or rather his lack thereof), the fact that the aunt who is raising him basically shields her nephew from the world, continuously feeding his impressionable and lonely self with books of fairy tales and knights errant (but never showing him, never explaining to him what is fantasy and what is reality) that causes Don Sylvio to grow up to firmly believe that fairy tales and legends are, in fact, historically accurate and true, and that the blue butterfly he sees one day, is thus not just a butterfly, but an enchanted princess requiring rescue, requiring Don Sylivio's knightly support.

Fun, entertaining, delightfully humorous (with many historical and mythological allusions and the kind of satirical asides I have always adored), ever since I had to write a term paper on Die Abenteuer des Don Sylvio von Rosalva for a university course on 18th century German satire, this novel has been a personal favourite (and Christoph Martin Wieland my favourite German satirist, bar none). Highly recommended, but with the caveat that fluency in German is an absolute must (and that both writing style and storyline are intricate and involved, and as becoming 18th century satire, replete with authorial commentary, excurses and a sense of humour that definitely requires the ability to think around the corner). And while I know that there exists at least one English language version of Die Abenteuer des Don Sylvio von Rosalva, I have not read this, and thus cannot and will not make any comments as to its potential quality (although other translations of Wieland's oeuvre have unfortunately proven, while adequate, also rather personally disappointing, and not usually able to all that successfully capture and harness the sly humour and satiric intent of the author's unique and entertaining writing style).

[Miriam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was rather sweet and almost made me give this book three stars - but honestly, I don't think it would be right to up a rating of an almost 400 page novel because of 10 pages.

To be fair though: I had to read this for a class at uni, and as we're all aware it's only natural that we enjoy books less if we HAVE to read them (and then have to write papers about them -_-). So take this review with a grain of salt ;-)! I'm sure that it's probably much better than I thought it - simply because the process of reading is more enjoyable when you don't have to rush through a novel.

[luisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

finally finished!

also: meh

[Fish on Earth · Rating 2 out of 5]

For uni

Well at times funny but the main character was annoying as fuck, it was sooooooo long and fairies are not my faves (except all of the hot and awesome ones brought to life by the queen Cassandra Clare,l)...penultimate book for uni ✅