Winnetou I - IV

Winnetou #1-4

by Karl May

Karl May's most popular work originally published in 1892 and influenced by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Winnetou is the story of a young Apache chief told by his white friend and blood-brother Old Shatterhand. The action takes place in the U.S. Southwest, in the latter half of the 1800s, where the Indian way of life is threatened by the first transcontinental railroad. Winnetou, the only Native Indian chief who could have united the various rival tribes to reach a settlement with the whites, is murdered. His tragic death foreshadows the death of his people. May's central theme here, as in much of his work, is the relationship between aggression, racism, and religious intolerance.

Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Classics, Westerns, Childrens, German Literature, Historical Fiction

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1893

About the author

Karl 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.

Reviews

[Anca starts too many books at once & finishes too few · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and re-read it so many times between 10 and 12! In Romanian. Imagine my shock when I found out that May never spent any time in the US...

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess that before I actually start on my specific musings regarding Karl May’s four Winnetou novels (which were penned from 1893 to 1910, although Winnetou as a character makes appearances in a few other Karl May novels and short stories as well, and yes, with my mother and father reading the four specific Winnetou stories aloud to my brother and me from 1972 to 1973 and which I recently quickly skimmed through on my Kindle in order to finally post a bit of a review), I should definitely and categorically state the following. Indeed, even if Karl May was supposed to have been Adolf Hitler’s favourite author, this does in my opinion absolutely NOT render Karl May (who lived from 1842 until 1912) either into a National Socialist or make him in any fashion even remotely personally responsible for ANY Nazi atrocities. And in fact, it might even be claimed that especially with regard to his own vehement anti Semitism, Adolf Hitler was obviously NOT AT ALL following in his favourite author’s footsteps, since according to what I have read as secondary material about Karl May and his life and times, May’s oeuvre is not ever portraying, condoning or making popular and acceptable negative attitudes towards Jews, that in Karl May’s oeuvre, his Jewish characters are in fact generally both respectfully and sympathetically depicted, and furthermore, Karl May actually seemed to have had many Jewish friends and acquaintances, many of whom totally adored his writing and also considered Karl May not only a talented and gifted author but very much a personal favourite. Oh and by the way, I also do not really think that Karl May supposedly never having actually visited the vast majority of the many exotic places about which he wrote is all that much of an issue either, since I for one have always considered May’s work a bit fantastical and thus of course not bona fide historical reality (but rather an expanded full of descriptive imagination actuality, fantastical but still believable enough for readers to get a decent enough textual and narrational picture).

Now with regard to Karl May’s Winnetou stories, yes, from a modern perspective, from today’s point of views regarding Native Americans and how they are supposed to now be depicted in fiction (and in particular in pieces of writing not penned by Native American authors), May’s featured narrative in Winnetou I -IV certainly has some rather major time and place generated and specific problems.

For Winnetou is most definitely depicted by Karl May as being the absolute epitome of the Noble Savage stereotype and his long and drawn out death scene at the end of the third novel equally and unfortunately smacks of the doomed Indian stereotype (and with Winnetou also appearing almost Christ like and his Caucasian blood brother Old Shatterhand as akin to a quasi religious disciple). However, even though I do realise the inherent from a 21st century point of view politically incorrect, paternalistic and culturally problematic attitudes towards Winnetou, towards the Apaches, towards Native Americans in general, I still rather majorly have enjoyed Winnetou I - IV and my inner child totally had many hours of reading pleasure revisiting Winnetou and Old Shatterhand (even if perhaps a bit guiltily and contritely, but I also do stand by still considering Winnetou I - IV as a reading delight and joy).

And while I would as an older adult reader absolutely only recommend Karl May’s Winnetou novels with the caveat that especially as reading material for younger readers, his often paternalistic approaches to American Indians need and require discussion and debate, I also still think that Karl May is fun and adventuresome reading for especially boys from the age of ten or so onwards, and in conjunction with the necessary discussions mentioned above definitely both suitable and appropriate.

[Stjepan Cobets · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, I enjoyed these books. I think I'll read them again soon and return to childhood. I got a new release, and I think, I will soon embark on adventures.

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again one of the books which have marked my youth, as there was no way not to empathize with the main noble character and his sad destiny.
Somehow funny, those were times when I didn't know that the author was German...

[Igor Ljubuncic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read these in German, because my German is limited to saying things like "Ich habe ein sexualische problem" or such like, and singing "Alle Meine Entchen", but read these books I did.

Year 1988. I was 10 years old. Father took me to a library. Four books, a whole lot of pages. The stern librarian tells me, Sonny Jim, you gotta return these in two weeks. 14 days! The books were huge and thick. What now?

I read them. In maybe six days, almost without a break.

This was such a wonderful adventure. The magic of the Wild West, the noble Indian fighter and his chiseled friend Old Shatterhand - or is it Surehand? - simply the best there is for a kid enamored with the Indians & Cowboys theme.

Today, these would probably feel and read as totally naive. But this is The Hobbit equivalent of the fantasy world transposed into the Wild West theater. Simply adorable.

Alas I don't own those old musty hardcovers anymore.

Igor

[Yavor Kovachev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put them down as a kid. Old Mothereffin Shatterhand. Karl May showed me I don't have to be bored as a kid all the time. Implicitly he helped me learn that "a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies but the man who never reads lives only once."

Also May never went to the Wild West before he wrote the books. Only after he became famous did he travel there... so yeah, logic can take you from A to Z but imagination, as he demonstrated, can truly take you anywhere.

Winnetu I-IV is part of a of 30 book sequence by Karl May, which was available in the kid's section of our local library. I only got to 8 but I sincerely hope they did not throw those books away as I still want to read the remaining ones in the sequence.

[Stela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trebuia sa-i dau macar trei stele! Cind ma gindesc de cite ori am citit-o! Cind imi amintesc ca stiam pasaje intregi pe de rost, ca mi-a revelat pentru prima data sensul profund al cuvintului prietenie, ca am scotocit biblioteci intregi dupa carti despre pieile-rosii, ca faceam scenarii in care eram inevitabil Old Shatterhand!
Sa fi avut vreo 12-13 ani...

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit apprehensive to read them again, (perhaps I will), but books about Winnetou captured my imagination and heart as an 8yo, and I could not put them down. I was miffed that Winnetous sister Nscho-tschi didn't get to play a bigger part. Did not care much for Old Shatterhand.
Grateful for the habit of reading this series furthered in my life!

[mrzokonimow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Może gdybym czytał to jakieś ćwierć wieku temu, rzuciłbym się jak rączy mustang w wir przygód Winnetou i Old Shatterhanda... Niestety, dziś monstrualna powieść Karola Maya mnie znużyła i zirytowała patosem oraz boleśnie uproszczoną, czarno-białą wizją świata...

[Matthieu Wegh · Rating 3 out of 5]

? Dit weekend gekocht bij een kinderboekenwinkel in Deventer nadat Winnetou en Old Shatterhand van Karl May vaak voorkwamen in mijn leeskringroman Mauk en ik er nieuwsgierig naar was.
Dit is een bewerking voor kinderen van de oorspronkelijke romans van Karl May. Ik heb deze albums vroeger niet gelezen, maar waarschijnlijk wel albums in stripvorm.
🤔Ik was vooral nieuwsgierig naar de karakters van Winnetou en met name Old Shatterhand, die net als de vader van Mauk een schoolmeester was voordat hij naar Amerika ging.
Ik moest er wat moeite voor doen, maar het was toch wel een prettige leeservaring.
MW5/5/25

[Sandra Rugina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book as a teenager. I loved it, read it maybe 10 times or more. Still re-reading it occasionally.
A classical Western story of friendship, adventure, revenge and more. Actually I read everything by Karl May I could lay my hands on.

[Nazarii Zanoz]

Це наче доволі хороший вестерн із пропагуванням хороших цінностей, особливо, зважаючи на час написання. В дитинстві це читати, либонь, було справді захопливо і може навіть повчально.
В цій історії цікавим видалося, наскільки багато речей (ідей, цінностей і подібних абстрактних людських понять) мають значення і логіку лише в рамках певної спільноти, в межах якої вони закріплені якимсь умовним договором. Наприклад поняття "чести" і його сенс досі доволі специфічно можна сприймати. Невдовзі після Вінету читав "Трьох мушкетерів" і "Вогнем та мечем". Теж історії про воїнів, любов і т.д., коротше кажучи, європейські вестерни, і там оце гіперболізоване сприйняття образи чести, коли через будь-яку дурницю люди хапаються за шпаги чи піштолі та влаштовують дуелі на смерть. В ті часи це здавалося само собою зрозумілим. Зараз сприймається диким. А між нами наче не так багато століть. Подібно дивними видаються якісь ідеї native americans, проте вони цілком були собі в логіці їхнього трибу життя і суспільного договору (наприклад відмірювання кари за якийсь проступок). В Мая це доволі непогано прописано.
З того, що видалося дивним, то в якійсь 3-ій книжці, якщо не плутаю, знову з'являється герой, котрий раніше помер)але можливо то через те, що в аудіокнижці, яку слухав, вони йшли не під порядковим номером, а по написанню чи щось таке.
Думаю також про те, як прописаний Вінету і індіанці загалом, бо ось та простакувата довірливість і відданість Віннету і його співплемінників, з якою їх змальовує Май - це справді їхня характерна риса, така щирість чи є в цьом�� якась типу зверхність і демонстрація наївности? Чи навпаки - сили і відкритости? Ну, то я вже надумую

[Geert Vandriessche · Rating 4 out of 5]

een aanrader voor iedereen die vroeger ooit cowboy en indiaantje gespeeld heeft!

[András Balogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiatal teenager korom egyik legmeghatarozobb konyve. Ezek utan estem szerelembe a western tortenetekkel. Lenyugozo ahogy Karl May a vadnyugatrol es Amerikarol ir tekintve hogy a konyv megjeleneseig nem jart amerikaban.

[Mihai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probabil prima carte citita, la indemnul mamei, dar fara nicio constrangere. Mi-a fermecat copilaria si mi-a dezvoltat imaginatia. O serie minunata de volume!

[Wers_6 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutna klasyka. Marzyłam o tym by przeżyć choć jedną przygodę u boku Old Shatterhanda czy Winnetou. Cóż, zostawały mi marzenia. Granica między moralnością postaci była aż nazbyt widoczna i prosta. Poczciwy bohater bez skazy albo nikczemy złoczyńca i morderca. Nic pomiędzy. Gdy Winnetou nie darzył kogoś zaufaniem i sympatią, przez zapewne jego wygląd łotra, to wiedz że tak jest. Możesz też przygotować się na niedługie traumatyczne przeżycie jeśli jesteś na początku książki (bądź przeklęty gadatliwy Samie Hawkigu). Wystawiłam wysoką ocenę. 5 gwiazdek. Maksimum. Zrobiłam to przez wzgląd na sentyment. Nie przypominam sobie żeby inna książka przygodowa dla młodzieży tak mnie wciągnęła w swój świat. Czytałam ją 2 razy co rzadko się zdarza i pokreśla wrażenie jakie na mnie wywarła. Gdybym przeczytała ją dzisiaj ocena byłaby bez wątpienia niższa, lecz wolę patrzeć na nią przez pryzmat moich wspomnień z czasu gdy miałam 12 lat. Ponadto do dziś nie mogę pogodzić się ze śmiercią Winnetou, mimo że minęło parę lat od ostatniego przeczytania tej książki, co jest niepodważalnym dowodem na to jaki wpływ na mnie wywarła.

[Yvonne Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm 72 years old and rereadi
ng my favorite Karl May books in German for the umpteenth time. I first read them as a child and discovered to my delight that both of my German parents - all of us U.S. citizens - grew up reading them also, and in fact both always cast themselves as Winnetou when playing Indians with their siblings and friends. In fact, my father to the end of his long life maintained correspondence with a childhood friend, and they still addressed each other by their "Indian names"! I am aware of May's faults but am also convinced that my first enlightenment on the subject of white crimes against our native people dated from reading these novels. Incidentally, the novels set in the Middle East taught me the difference between Sunni and Shi'a Islam early on, and I was appalled at the ignorance of our own government about these matters, especially in the matter of how we handled the Iraq invasion and the subsequent descent into decades of war! Well, as my dad would have said,"Die haben ihren Karl May nicht gelesen!" (They didn't read their Karl May.)

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know until the end that I was reading an edited version of Karl May's Winnetou. So I feel a little conflicted because how can I say that I enjoyed this knowing the fact there were parts that needed to be edited out?


Anyway, my father mentioned it a lot to me when I was younger, he said that these stories were his childhood and he enjoyed them very much. That was the reason why I bought this book when I saw it was on sale.

I haven't really read a lot heavily adventure focused books before that. It was all about riding horses and fighting bad guys. I can't lie it was a bit repetetive after a while and I was much more interested in Winnetou's character than any other character. BUT it sucked me in, these simple stories were easy to read and I had a good time.


3 stars

[Szilard Raduly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cel mai bun roman despre indieni și unul dintre cele mai captivante romane pe care le-am citit. O poveste sublimă care îmbină dragostea, suspansul, ciocnirea unor civilizații atât de diferite și povestește despre aventurile unui tărâm aproape magic, pentru noi, care captivează atenția la fiecare pagină.

[Mollplytowy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Całość oceniam na 3/5. Na początku nawet niosło, ale ostatecznie uważam, że książka się tak sobie zestarzała. Wszystko jest tam wyłożone jak kawa na ławę, naiwnie napisane, główny bohater wszystko umie, wszystko wie, jest legendą. Natomiast na tamte czasy może była to epicka opowieść. Ostatecznie dobrze było poznać najdzielniejszego Apacza i jego przygody.

[Goran · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an adventure to read.
Being lazy bump, I waited for 15 years to read the second part.
Great disappointment.
Seems like it influenced Eastern European kids like me a lot :)
Read it in Serbian, called Serbo-Croatian back then.

[Aaron Schülein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genial. Ein treffenderes Wort wird man dafür nicht finden. Wenn man auch sonst nichts von Karl May lesen will, grenzt es schon an einer Straftat Winnetou nicht zu kennen. Mein größter Fiktiver Held wird immer bleiben. Winnetou Häuptling der Apachen.

[DanielS · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I've read as a kid, I remember liking it so much that I wanted to read it a second time.

I don't have much to say other than that since it's been so long, but my love for the western genre definitely started with this book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asta a fost prima mea serie de carti din viata mea. Recomand actiunea, locatia, personajele si tot traseul lor pe parcursul cartii. Aceasta carte inca imi este in suflet si de multe ori mai imi reamintesc de ea.

[Ciobanu Petru · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good adventure novel. I totally recommend it.

[Simon van der Lugt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deel 1: spannend en irritant

[Alin Si Nicoleta Calu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it when I was a child...just loved it! From time to time, I read it again and again...

[Anna Gracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic!

[Nicoleta Copaci · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite books when I was a teenager! Miss the thrill from the books!

[Jakob Novak · Rating 3 out of 5]

TBD