Author
Theodor Fontane
1819-1898
Theodor Fontane (1819-1898) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by Theodor Fontane
German Fiction
"German Fiction" by Fontane, Goethe, Keller, and Storm is a collection of selected works from notable German authors written in the late 19th century. The compilation includes significant literary contributions from luminaries such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Gottfried Keller, Theodor Storm, and Theodor Fontane, exploring complex themes of life, emotion, and character development within the context of German culture. The book likely delves into the internal struggles and nuanced experiences of its protagonists, inviting readers to reflect on deeper issues of existence and sentiment. The opening of the book presents a scholarly overview that examines the German novel's evolution and its intersections with international literature. It highlights the unique psychological depth characteristic of German literature, focusing on the internal emotional landscapes of characters more than on external action. Addressing the reader directly, it posits that German fiction often prefers psychological exploration over sensational narratives, appealing to those who appreciate intricate character studies and subtle developments over traditional plot-driven storytelling. The examination serves as a thoughtful introduction to the selected works, preparing readers for the emotional and intellectual depth they can expect from the writers featured in this anthology.
Effi Briest
"Effi Briest" by Theodor Fontane is a realist novel published in 1895. Seventeen-year-old Effi is married off to Baron von Innstetten, a man twenty years her senior who once courted her mother. Isolated in a remote Pomeranian town while her husband travels frequently, the lonely young woman finds solace in the attentions of Major Crampas. This tale of marriage, adultery, and social judgment explores the tragic consequences when personal desire collides with rigid societal expectations in nineteenth-century Germany.
Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg, Dritter Teil Havelland
"Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg, Dritter Teil" by Theodor Fontane is a travel narrative published in 1873. This volume explores the Havelland region of Brandenburg, Germany, guiding readers through its castles, monasteries, villages, and landscapes. Fontane weaves together personal observations from his wanderings with historical research, family archives, legends, and conversations with local residents. The work reflects both Prussian national consciousness and Romantic sensibilities, capturing the cultural and historical richness of Brandenburg's smaller towns and noble families while deliberately avoiding the major cities of Berlin and Potsdam.
Der Stechlin: Roman
"Der Stechlin: Roman" by Theodor Fontane is a novel written between 1895 and 1897. Set in the Brandenburg countryside, it follows the aging Major Dubslav von Stechlin and his son Woldemar as old aristocratic values collide with new liberal and social democratic ideas. Through leisurely conversations rather than dramatic action, the story explores a society in transition—where the old guard faces decline and the next generation must choose between tradition and progress. Fontane's final work captures the melancholy of an ending era with sympathy and gentle irony.
L'Adultera: Roman
"L'Adultera: Roman" by Theodor Fontane is a novel written between 1879 and 1880. It tells the story of young Melanie van der Straaten, married to a wealthy Berlin merchant twenty-five years her senior. Her husband's constant jealousy and predictions of her inevitable infidelity create mounting tension. When the charming Ebenezer Rubehn arrives as a houseguest, Melanie faces a life-altering choice between duty and desire, setting in motion consequences that will test love, social standing, and personal redemption.
Unterm Birnbaum
"Unterm Birnbaum" by Theodor Fontane is a novella written between 1883 and 1885. Abel and Ursel Hradscheck run a small shop with an inn in a village, burdened by mounting debts. When Abel discovers an old soldier's corpse buried under his pear tree, he devises a dark plan to escape financial ruin. The story follows the psychological unraveling of the couple after committing their crime, as suspicion grows and guilt becomes unbearable in their increasingly haunted home.
Frau Jenny Treibel: Roman aus der Berliner Gesellschaft
"Frau Jenny Treibel: Roman aus der Berliner Gesellschaft" by Theodor Fontane is a novel published in 1892. Set in Berlin, it centers on two families: the wealthy bourgeois Treibels and the educated but modest Schmidts. Jenny Treibel professes devotion to higher ideals while ruthlessly pursuing money and status. When Corinna Schmidt seeks to marry into wealth through Jenny's son Leopold, conflicting ambitions collide. The novel satirizes bourgeois hypocrisy and explores the tension between genuine feeling and social calculation in a sharp yet affectionate comedy.
Schach von Wuthenow Erzählung aus der Zeit des Regiments Gensdarmes
"Schach von Wuthenow" by Theodor Fontane is a novella written between 1878 and 1882. Set in 1806 Berlin before Prussia's defeat by Napoleon, it follows a handsome cavalry officer who, in a moment of romantic confusion, seduces the pockmarked daughter of a witty widow he has been courting. When the king himself commands the reluctant officer to marry and restore the young woman's honor, he faces an impossible choice between duty and the fear of his comrades' mockery. Based on a true story, Fontane explores the contradictions of Prussian military culture.
Kriegsgefangen : $b Erlebtes 1870.
"Kriegsgefangen: Erlebtes 1870" by Theodor Fontane is an autobiographical work published in 1870-1871. Fontane recounts his experiences as a war correspondent during the Franco-Prussian War, including his capture as a suspected Prussian spy and two-month imprisonment. Moved between French fortresses while facing hostile crowds, he survived through an international rescue effort involving over fifty people. Despite his ordeal, Fontane portrays his French captors with remarkable sympathy, emphasizing their humanity and fairness throughout his detention.
Nuoren naisen kohtalo
"Nuoren naisen kohtalo" by Theodor Fontane is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Effi Briest, a young woman navigating the complexities of love, societal expectations, and her eventual marriage to the older Baron Geert von Innstetten. As Effi's life unfolds, themes of personal desire versus societal duty emerge, painting a poignant picture of her struggles and aspirations. The opening of the novel introduces us to Effi and her mother as they sit in the garden of their estate, engaged in sewing an altar cloth. Through a lively exchange filled with playful banter and reflections on their lives, we learn about Effi's spirited personality, her feelings towards her impending marriage to Baron Innstetten, and her interactions with friends. The passage emphasizes the warmth of familial bonds, the expectations placed on Effi as a young woman, and hints at the romantic tensions that will soon shape her future as she prepares to meet her fiancé for the first time.