Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Goethe: The Collected Works, Vol. 9)
Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, a novel of self-realization greatly admired by the Romantics, has been called the first Bildungsroman and has had a tremendous influence on the history of the German novel. The story centers on Wilhelm, a young man living in the mid-1700s who strives to break free from the restrictive world of economics and seeks fulfillment as an actor and playwright. Along with Eric Blackall's fresh translation of the work, this edition contains notes and an afterword by the translator that aims to put this novel into historical and artistic perspective for twentieth-century readers while showing how it defies categorization.
A Fantastic Book That Never Leaves You
As one of the most prolific and multi-talented authors to ever set words to page, Goethe is often considered the master of early romantic works and even the patriarch of the modern novel. Fittingly, Goethe's numerous interests and telents, including law, geology, science and literature, come to life in Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship the precursor to Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years.
I caution all those who pick up this book to do so with grit and determination for it is not light reading. The density and complexity of the piece can be discouraging and the sometimes fantastical character encounters can leave you with a sense of shallowness and predictability. These opinions, however, are ones that fade away as the overall impact of the novel begins to set in and alter you perceptions of the world.
Goethe's romantic voice can be heard throughout, and, while many readers prefer the more adventurous and extravegant side of love, the romances here are shockingly harsh and true-to-life, which only add to the benefits of the work. To be sure adveture and extravegance are not spared.
Goethe was also the quitesential statesman of his time, and this meant ties to Freemasonry. What can be interpreted as Masonic overtones and undertones add a veil of mystery and adventure to the book, while philosophical exchanges leave the reader with points to consider, even in today's world.
My appreciation for this book stems from its uncanny insight into my present life and the lingering ideas it presented to me. Had I not read this novel I would surely be missing something extraordinary today. --Reviewer: Craig Wienckowski from Seoul, Korea
