Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Anchor (Doubleday)
Pages
503
Description
The best translation of Faust available, this volume provides the original German text and its English counterpart on facing pages. Walter Kaufmann's translation conveys the poetic beauty and rhythm as well as the complex depth of Goethe's language. Includes Part One and selections from Part Two.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1808 (part 1)
1832 (part 2)
1961 (English: Walter Kaufmann)
Physical description
503 p.; 8 inches
ISBN
0385031149 / 9780385031141
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member keylawk
Boy meets world of scholarship and falls in love. Implausible. In practically his dotage he meets a nice shop-girl but figures he does not have a chance with her. Uh, why would he want HER? Anyway, so he makes a deal with the Devil, None of this is remotely plausible, but it is the wonderful genius
Show More
of Goethe that he unfolds the story with great power. Ultimately, "Das ewigweiblische dran uns hinan". Or something like that. Show Less
LibraryThing member yesssman
Well this will be in the category of Shakespeare as a classic that I will have to reread many times to truly appreciate. Certainly the power and uniqueness of Goethe's writing came through to me, as well as the interesting characterization of Mephisto. I read the introduction after reading the text
Show More
as I usually do, and it is clear that I missed a great deal. Probably next time I will use a version with detailed annotation to help me along. I did enjoy this version's German facing English text, as I could get a sense for the tone and feel of the original German. Show Less
LibraryThing member Devil_llama
There have been many writings of the Faust story; in this one, Goethe tries his hand at the fable. Faust sells his soul to the devil in return for some rather nebulous gains. The story is told in poetry rather than prose, and some of the poetry is a bit dense. There is also a lot more than is
Show More
needed to tell the story, making this particular play impossible to present in this form on a modern American stage (of course, it might still work in Germany, where they don't have the same expectations). This translation includes the German original side by side with the translation; although I am not able to read German, it is interesting to see it in its original form, and for German readers, that gives them the ability to check the translation and see if they agree. The ending veered very close to a universalist view of heaven and hell; probably not too surprising from a freethinker like Goethe who tended to some rather heterodox opinions. Show Less
LibraryThing member josmith16
Very enjoyable book. Mephistopheles is a very interest character and represents the devil very well. The lies are weaved wonderfully. As he enacts the deception on Faust. The flow in a poetic style make the book very fascinating and added to the flavor of Mephistopheles.
LibraryThing member trilliams
Do most people even know the second act exists? That changes everything. Also the Germans get to call him Mephistopheles, which is way better than Mephisto. Someday I'll read the left side of this book, I swear.
LibraryThing member BenKline
This is an abridged version of the massive play. This was abridged, cut, and translated into English for a BBC radio adaption in the 1940s.
The play itself is meant to be a closet drama - ie. its meant to be read and not exactly played and acted out on a stage in front of an audience.
It is a
The play itself is meant to be a closet drama - ie. its meant to be read and not exactly played and acted out on a stage in front of an audience.
It is a
Show More
tremendous play and a massive and tremendous piece of work/literature. I have trouble though deciding on **** or ***1/2, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and go with ****. It's a bit deep with the satire, going into Greek mythologies (esp. in Part II) and it draws from a number of sources, some German, some classical Greek/Roman, some Shakespearean, and English. It's a hard play to wra your head around as the verse isn't aptly descriptive of the events and a large amount of 'reading between the lines' needs to be done. Overall it is a highly recommended work that should be read for no other reason than to at least acknowledge how Goethe is a great writer and to feel some sort of semblance of culture emanating from the work. Show Less
Call number
FIC E Goe