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The Sorrows of Young Werther
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
The Sorrows of Young Werther is an epistolary novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It's publication instantly made the 24-year-old Goethe one of the first international literary celebrities. Of all his works, this book was the most known to the general public. Werther gives a very intimate account of his stay in the fictional village of Wahlheim (based on the town of Garbenheim, near Wetzlar).[citation needed] He is enchanted by the simple ways of the peasants there. He meets Lotte, a beautiful young girl who is taking care of her siblings following the death of their mother. Despite knowing beforehand that Lotte is already engaged to a man named Albert who is 11 years her senior, Werther falls in love with her. Although this causes Werther great pain, he spends the next few months cultivating a close friendship with both of them. His pain eventually becomes so great that he is forced to leave and go to Weimar. While he is away, he makes the acquaintance of Frulein von B. He suffers a great embarrassment when he forgetfully visits a friend and has to face the normal weekly gathering of the entire aristocratic set. He returns to Wahlheim after this, where he suffers more than he did before, partially because Lotte and Albert are now married. Every day serves as a torturous reminder that Lotte will never be able to requite his love. Out of pity for her friend and respect for her husband, Lotte comes to the decision that Werther must not visit her so frequently. Werther had realized even before this incident that one member of their love triangle Lotte, Albert or Werther himself had to die in order to resolve the situation. Unable to hurt anyone else or seriously consider committing murder, Werther sees no other choice but to take his own life. After composing a farewell letter to be found after his suicide, he writes to Albert asking for his two pistols, under a pretence that he is going "on a journey". Lotte receives the request with great emotion and sends the pistols. Werther then shoots himself in the head, but does not expire until 12 hours after he has shot himself. He is buried under a linden tree, a tree he talks about frequently in his letters, and the funeral is not attended by clergymen, Albert or his beloved Lotte.
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review
Daisey
Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Mehso-so

Well, that was rather depressing. I also think Goethe is a bit too philosophical for me to truly enjoy. I appreciated this story of love gone wrong, but I can‘t say I enjoyed it. Additionally, the narrator read clearly but also had the perfect voice to put me to sleep, so I headed out for a walk to finish it.

📷: Here‘s a picture of a very happy beagle to go with the unhappy ending to Werther‘s story.

#1001books #audiobook #translated #audiowalk

dabbe Da cutest beagle around! Looks like you're being taken on the walk, not the other way around! 💙🐾💚 1y
Graywacke Love your happy pup! 1y
Daisey @dabbe We take turns. 😂 Sometimes she excitedly leads and sometimes I make her continue on our way. Never a dull walk with a hound checking out her surroundings. 1y
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Daisey @Graywacke Thanks! We haven‘t had much time for long walks lately, and it was a beautiful day, so we both very much enjoyed it. 1y
SamAnne Yeah, I would prefer the company of your Beagle to Goethe! 1y
dabbe @Daisey From the once-owner of two greyHOUNDS, I totally agree! 🤣😍🤗 1y
MariaW Why do you think there was a “Werthermania”, it being fancy to commit suicide due to a general longing back in the days after the book was published? Because most readers were depressed after reading it. 🙈 1y
Daisey @MariaW I read about that when I first looked up the book and thought it was ridiculous, but after reading it I understand how someone dealing with unrequited love could decide to copy it. So depressing. 1y
49 likes8 comments
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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

Goethe wrote this tragedy of extreme infatuation in 1774 to deal with his own experience of unrequited love.

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vivi_lee
Las desventuras del joven Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Ningún lugar es malo para comenzar a leer 😊

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vivi_lee
Las desventuras del joven Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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"los seres humanos sentirían menos sus trastornos de no ocupar su imaginación con tanta frecuencia y con tal de minuciosidad en recordar los males pasados, en vez de hacer soportable lo presente"

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vivi_lee
Las desventuras del joven Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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He escuchado muy poco sobre este libro, aunque que es muy interesante saber que desató un gran escándalo en la época en el que fue escrito.
Me da mucha curiosidad de leerlo!!!!!☺️☺️

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Buechersuechtling
Die Leiden Des Jungen Werther | Johann Wolfgang Goethe
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Pickpick

#NovelNovember @Andrew65

Overall a “Pick”. I really could relate to Werther and his sadness and his despair – even though, here comes a little contradiction, I sometimes thought it‘s laid on thick (that farmers guy and the one who once was in love with Lotte).

I‘m not sure if Werther is narcissistic as some people say – but, you know, his manipulative way with the letters he writes Lotte in the end … Fine art, Johann Wolfgang, fine art‼️👏🏼

Andrew65 👏👏👏🙌 4y
18 likes1 comment
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Buechersuechtling
Die Leiden Des Jungen Werther | Johann Wolfgang Goethe
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@Jari-chan I see what you mean by feelings building up slowly … I continued listening during my Sunday breakfast. And I still like it. I was surprised by the witty things Werther utters in his conversation with Albert about his rifles. I never expected Goethe to have such sensitive thoughts – although … Werther holding one of the unloaded rifles to his head is laid on thickly, isn‘t it❓
Just because of the end. You know❓ #NovelNovember

Jari-chan Goethe is a very sensitive writer, I think. Also, when it comes to his other works. Fits the time he wrote it. And yes, the rifle scene is a good scene, if you know about the ending. 4y
12 likes1 comment
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Buechersuechtling
Die Leiden Des Jungen Werther | Johann Wolfgang Goethe
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#30daysofgratitude by @jb72

Prompt: Take a moment to say or do something nice for someone today.

🎈 Thank you, LITTENS, you‘re great. You helped me through the day because I wanted to stay away from starting a new book. And listening to audiobooks isn‘t suitable for every situation during the day. 🎈

Gratitude
• Sleeping in
• Doing stuff at my _own_pace_
• Practicing self care 🧡
• Cozy lighting

Leftcoastzen We like you too!😄 4y
jb72 So glad you can join in! It makes me happy. 4y
16 likes3 comments
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Buechersuechtling
Die Leiden Des Jungen Werther | Johann Wolfgang Goethe
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#NovelNovember

You remember what I just posted about finding ballads and things like Schiller, Goethe, Kafka, Shakespeare on Apple Music❓

Here‘s another one, and I will listen to it while preparing lunch. My bestie had to read it back in high school and said, all this suffering was soooo awful.

So let me give it a try to see how awful it turns out to be. 😁

Jari-chan When I read it as a teen, I hated it. When I reread it as an adult - I loved it. Guess that just what time does to you... 😄 😅 4y
Buechersuechtling @Jari-chan I‘m sure you‘re right there. I am curious how I will end up with it since I wasn‘t made reading it in high school. Meaning it‘s not ruined for me. So far, I am really surprised that he‘s not suffering that much. In contrary, I in some points definitely can relate to him. But I am only in July 1771 and as far as I found out, it ends in December 1772. So pretty much time for the suffering to really kick in. 😂 4y
Jari-chan @Buechersuechtling I'm curious, too, what you'll think about it 😁 And the feelings build up slow, but steady... 4y
14 likes3 comments
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BookishMe
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#QuotsyApr20 Passion

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BookishMe
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Pickpick

Out of the 5hrs plus so far (halfway through Day 2 #24B4Extend) 3 hours on this emotional journey - Book 1 ✅
von Goethe's eloquent prose kept me glued to this journal of doomed passion.
I also read the ebook, by different translator under Modern Library Classics. While it was simplified, I preferred the older translation.
#ReadingEurope2020 Germany

nanuska_153 Poor Werther! I remember reading the book when I was in college, in the hallway waiting for a class to start and having to go to the toilet to avoid crying in front of everyone. There are certain books that shouldn't be read in public! 5y
BookishMe @nanuska_153 oh dear... The book that made cry in public was A Man called Ove. I recall tears pooling in my eyes while I boarded a bus. Had to keep head down to hide the trickling tears. But I tend to lol more in public than cry ;p 5y
nanuska_153 @BookishMe same here and even when I don't have a discrete laugh I am not ashamed at all about openly laughing xD 5y
BookishMe @nanuska_153 absolutely! 😃😃 5y
43 likes4 comments
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BookishMe
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I should stay away from Twitter and nap/sleep LESS! lol

#24B4Extend
End of Day 1 Tues noon now
(meant to update at midnight but it was only 2hrs clocked and I fell asleep 😬🤣😏)

- 60% of tagged book
The goal is to complete it today

- Listening to couple other audiobooks while at chores

Buechersuechtling 😂 Love your post. It just is so much me during the past 2 weeks. I was on residual leave then and slept way more than I intended. Every evening I decided to get up “really” early the next morning. Well, guess: That never happened. 😇 And of course Litsy is my Twitter since I quitted Twitter. But I‘ve lately been on news-apps and radio-media-libraries also. That results in that I sometimes am annoyed by my own “media behaviour”. 5y
BookishMe @Buechersuechtling 🤗 glad to keep you company 😉😉 hope you've gotten past the media behaviour ;p 5y
41 likes2 comments
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BookishMe
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#KeepLitsyPositive #24B4Extend #currentlyReading

May we continue to have strength to see through these troubled times

BookishMe @SquidgetsRoom wishing you a safe and good week 💕💕 5y
DieAReader Same to you @BookishMe 🥰 This is a beautiful quote. Very insightful 🧐 5y
BookishMe @SquidgetsRoom yes, it also reminds me how gratitude can fortify us ;D 5y
DieAReader Absolutely! 🥰 5y
41 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Emilymdxn
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Pickpick

Yes, Werther comes across very silly in the 21st century and it‘s all immensely melodramatic - he‘s not someone I‘d want to go for a drink with. But with that caveat in place, I adored this book. I have such a weakness for wild intense romanticism and this book IS romanticism. I just vanished into all the huge emotions and the massive rapturous landscapes and deep despair.

Big TW for romanticising suicide - I do recommend the book but be aware

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catiewithac
Sufferings of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Pickpick

I read this in high school but wanted to revisit it after I started listening to a biography of Goethe. I think I like it better now. Maybe it‘s Stanley Corngold‘s translation, but Goethe‘s writing is really lush here. Of course, the story is particularly gloomy. That was one reason I struggled to finish rereading it. On the one hand, Goethe‘s prose is stunning and I didn‘t want it to end. On the other, Werther is dark AF. 🌚

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Gessica
Pickpick

.

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Libby1
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Panpan

Young Werther is an old bore.

REPollock He‘s also a stalker and an abuser. This book pissed me right off. 6y
Libby1 I COMPLETELY agree, @REPollock . I went back and skimmed through the rest of it. Horrid. There is nothing good or romantic here, only toxic thoughts, behaviour, and abuse. 6y
Anna40 😂😂😂 you should try the 'parody' set in the GDR The new sufferings of Young W. by Plenzdorf. ... 6y
58 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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jenniferw88
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Yet another book on my ever-increasing #tbr list! #Sorrow for #SisforSeptember @CaliforniaCay

GabrielleDubois I read it few weeks ago, and reviewed it on Goodreads. 5⭐ for me. 6y
batsy It's a great one! 6y
72 likes2 comments
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GabrielleDubois
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“Content and peace of mind are valuable things:
I could wish, my dear friend,
that these precious jewels were less transitory.”
#Goethe #thesorrowsofyoungwerther #quote

I liked this book, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, my review on Goodreads!

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GabrielleDubois
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'The sorrows of young Werther' by Goethe, in a pretty edition of 1926. It is wonderful what can be found when one sorts his bookshelves...!
#thesorrowsofyoungwerther #goethe

Nute Love this photo! 6y
41 likes1 comment
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JMEdwards
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Linsy Ooooooooooooooo 😍😍😍 6y
rightasrain13 Old books are SO gorgeous - thanks for posting! 6y
ReadZenRites Oh my, Goethe! 😊💕a little book jealousy over here. 6y
56 likes3 comments
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sdbruening
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Bailedbailed

I gotta say I did not like that at all. I was expecting grander from Goethe. Werther is so melodramatic.

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plemmdog
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Most people toil during the greater part of their lives in order to live, and the slender span of free time that remains worries them so much that they try by every means to get rid of it. O Destiny of Man!

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Letsracethesun
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Pickpick

The first book 📚 I‘ve read by Goethe. Book had some great moments of prose and wit. A love unrequited story, though I hate using that word. I don‘t know why writers from this time all rather die then love someone who would be happy with them. I would say, she did return the feelings if we are being honest with ourself. In this edition, he says in retrospect, that fist love is the only true love. All love after is transient. I feel this maybe true

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BarbaraBB
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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The lyrics of Nirvana‘s #Lithium are so sad and probably a forebode of Kurt Cobain‘s suicide. This made me think of the tagged book. #Rocktober

🎶 I'm so lonely but that's okay
I shaved my head
And I'm not sad
And just maybe I'm to blame for all I've heard
But I'm not sure
I'm so excited, I can't wait to meet you there
But I don't care
I'm so horny but that's okay
My will is good 🎶

Cinfhen 😢😥 7y
batsy 😔 7y
50 likes2 comments
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jenniferw88
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Can't remember if this was a #freebie or just really cheap, but it will work for #riotgrams @bookriot

74 likes2 stack adds
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MJSanty
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Mehso-so

The centuries of time since this book's completion are very apparent, and will require some latitude from the reader. The novel is very much a part of the Romantic movement, and readily bears its pros and cons. Werther is a charming and sensitive soul, but being unable to control his passions they lead to his ruin. Goethe is trying to teach us the limits of Romanticism, and how we could use more realism and wisdom in our views on life and love.

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GoneFishing
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

The human race is a monotonous affair. Most people spend the greatest part of their time working in order to live, and what little freedom remains so fills them with fear that they seek out any and every means to be rid of it.

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GoneFishing
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

The human race is a monotonous affair. Most people spend the greatest part of their time working in order to live, and what little freedom remains so fills them with fear that they seek out any and every means to be rid of it.

LeahBergen I'm reading this right now. 8y
26 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LeahBergen
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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This book was mentioned in another book that I'm reading right now, so I've decided to give #SerialReader a go. Did you know that this book, published in 1774, contributed to a bunch of copycat suicides by young men of the time?! 😮 @SerialReader

KVanRead 🙀 8y
rabbitprincess I learned that from Kate Beaton! 😄 http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=228 8y
LeahBergen @rabbitprincess That is so great!!! I only really heard about Beaton since joining Litsy and I have her books on my "want" list now. ? 8y
See All 12 Comments
ApoptyGina69 I, too, just joined Serial Reader, but haven't started anything yet. Next time off will be 10/14-10-17, so there's hope. 8y
LeahBergen @ApoptyGina69 I chose this one as my first because it only has 19 issues. Each issue is only a few (phone) pages long so it is actually pretty easy to keep up with it when you are out doing other things! 8y
Hobbinol I bought my first copy of Werther at a used bookstore near my high school and the little old proprietress said she wouldn't sell it to me unless I swore that I wouldn't follow the fatal fashion of suicide like so many of its young readers. 😳Needless to say I survived🙄, but she never warned me about the other trends that the book set and now I'm left with this inexplicable attraction to blue frock coats with yellow waistcoats.☺️ 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Hobbinol What was she thinking? She really needed to be all inclusive in her warning labels! 8y
LeahBergen Oh, my GOD @Hobbinol ! Best story EVER. 😂😂😂 I need photographic evidence of you as a Werther dandy. 😉 8y
Zelma @Hobbinol 😂 that certainly wasn't very responsible of her. She should take her book warnings much more seriously. 8y
OSChamberlain I'm not a serial type person since I like holding fat old hardcovers in my hands and smelling their pages, but I love to lurk #SerialReader posts and add all the books I see to my tbr pile 😂😂😂 8y
LeahBergen @OSChamberlain Oh, I am SO not an e-reader type either. This is the first "on screen" read I've ever done and I'm trying it because it's short. 8y
OSChamberlain @LeahBergen I read an ebook for a girl who'd just released her book independently on amazon, and it was a horrible experience. The whole swiping, and the pages having very little text on them so that it showed page 1 of 647363 made it hard to stay interested 😂 8y
63 likes4 stack adds12 comments
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HijackMe
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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I haven't seem to have read a lot of of #DebutNovels but this one surely counts, even if a few centuries have passed since its first publication. #booktober

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libellule.reader
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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#Booktober Text-only Cover: It was very hard to find this one, and it's in Spanish but it does the trick 😊

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DreesReads
Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Panpan

Wow. "Sensitive exploration of the mind of a young artist at odds with society and ill-equipped to cope with life" as per the Goodreads description? Or "Stalker who defends a man who murders a rival for a woman's affection, and who considers murdering the husband of the woman he himself has fallen in love with." I have no respect for this sort of man, and cannot appreciate a story casting him in a sympathetic light. #1001books read number 161.

11 likes2 stack adds
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DreesReads
Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Just one more section in my current Serial Reader book (and this book has been such a struggle!). But then today I got this!

Reviewsbylola That's awesome!! 8y
24 likes1 comment
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DreesReads
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Werther is a creepy stalker. I am not enjoying this at all, but will finish because #1001books

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affiknitty
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Mehso-so

Eh, it was okay--a little too melodramatic for my taste. I see why it's important, though. On the other hand, I give an A++ to Serial Reader.

ReadingOver50 I am loving serial reader too 😄 8y
5 likes1 comment
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affiknitty
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Hey, random question. Could someone explain to me how to put the links to what you are currently reading in your profile? Thanks! 😊

Onceuponatime Do a search for the book, then tap on the icon to the right of its photo to select "read, reading, to-read" 8y
read.run.travel When you click onto the book any article is linked to or search for a book, there are three little stacked book (the Litsy logo) beneath the description. Click on the logo and select the shelf (to read, currently reading, have read). 8y
5 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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affiknitty
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Thanks to @bookriot for the tip on Serial Reader, a well-designed app that allows you to subscribe to daily issues of classic works of literature and tackle the books you've always meant to read a bite at a time. Now I'll finally get around to this monster of Romanticism! 😀

8 likes1 stack add
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that_danny_mac
The Sorrows of Young Werther | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Mehso-so

The birth of emo? Probably. There are some undeniably beautiful and gut wrenching passages in here, but overall it comes across much like a teen whining about unrequited love. Worth a read, but not a re-read.