Author
Wilhelm Raabe
1831-1910
Wilhelm Raabe (1831-1910) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Wilhelm Raabe
Alte Nester: Zwei Bücher Lebensgeschichten
"Alte Nester: Zwei Bücher Lebensgeschichten" by Wilhelm Raabe is a novel written between 1877-1879. Berlin philologist Fritz Langreuter recounts his childhood near the Weser River, where he and four friends built tree nests and dreamed together at Schloss Werden castle. Years later, tragedy, exile, and lost fortunes have scattered the group across continents. When paths finally converge again in their homeland, old bonds are tested and the impossible question emerges: can anyone truly return to the nests of childhood?
Die Chronik der Sperlingsgasse
"Die Chronik der Sperlingsgasse" by Wilhelm Raabe is a novel published in 1857. An elderly man named Johannes Wachholder chronicles his life and the lives of residents in a Berlin alley over one winter and spring. Through diary-like entries, he recalls his unfulfilled love for Marie, his role as guardian to her orphaned daughter, and the intertwined fates of families bound by secrets, tragedy, and redemption across generations in 1850s Berlin.
Keltische Knochen/Gedelöcke: Erzählungen
"Keltische Knochen/Gedelöcke: Erzählungen" by Wilhelm Raabe is a novella written in 1864. Two quarrelsome North German scholars travel to Austria with a criminal plan: to steal Celtic antiquities from a museum high above Hallstatt. Their theft is undermined not by the authorities, but by their own petty rivalry and inability to cooperate. As they flee with their loot, each spitefully discards the other's stolen treasures in revenge, leaving them empty-handed while their stolen artifacts are recovered piece by piece.
Der Junker von Denow; Ein Geheimnis; Ein Besuch; Auf dem Altenteil: Erzählungen
"Der Junker von Denow" by Wilhelm Raabe is a historical novella written in the late 19th century. The narrative is set against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of the late 16th century, primarily focusing on Christoph von Denow, the titular young nobleman, as he navigates the chaos of war and rebellion during the siege of the city of Rees. The story explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for honor amidst the conflicts that engulf his homeland. The opening of the novella introduces readers to the grim atmosphere surrounding the siege of Rees, highlighting the darkness of the night filled with turmoil and the imminent chaos of battle. Don Ramiro de Gusman, a Spanish commander, prepares his troops for an assault on the city's defenders, while chaos reigns among the ranks of the German soldiers who reveal growing dissent and disarray. As tensions escalate, Christoph von Denow finds himself caught in a maelstrom of confusion and violence, marked by vivid scenes of bloodshed and the cries of the desperate populace. Alongside him is Anneke Mey, a brave young woman who stands resolutely amid the chaos, emphasizing her vital role in the unfolding drama and suggesting a burgeoning bond with Christoph as the story progresses.
The Imperial Crown
"The Imperial Crown" by Wilhelm Raabe is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set during a tumultuous period in medieval Europe, particularly focusing on the fall of Constantinople and the subsequent recovery of the Holy Roman Empire's crown jewels, the story centers around an old man in Nuremberg who reflects on his youth, friendships, and the moments that shaped his life against the backdrop of political strife and personal loss. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to an older scribe grappling with the echoes of a significant historical event—the fall of Constantinople in 1453. As he writes, the noise of the town and the teachings of the fiery monk, Johannes Capistranus, intertwine with memories of his younger days, particularly concerning a friendship with the knight Michael Groland and the beautiful Mechthild Grossin. The narrative reveals the impact of their youthful adventures, the struggles for the imperial crown, and the larger implications of the ongoing wars within Christendom. The old man's reflections blend personal experience with historical context, leading up to the immediate crisis of the imperial crown's fate and foreshadowing the tribulations that are to come—a complex interplay of love, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Höxter und Corvey: Erzählung
"Höxter und Corvey: Erzählung" by Wilhelm Raabe is a historical novella published in 1879. Set during a single December night in 1673, the story follows two courageous friends—a Benedictine monk and a young law student—as they intervene to prevent an angry mob of Catholics and Lutherans from attacking the Jewish residents of Höxter. Against the backdrop of a war-ravaged German town still recovering from the Thirty Years' War, the narrative explores religious conflict, social justice, and individual moral courage.
Die Innerste: Erzählung
"Die Innerste: Erzählung" by Wilhelm Raabe is a novella written in 1874. Set against the symbolic backdrop of the demonic Harz river Innerste, the story follows Albrecht Bodenhagen, a wayward youth who returns from the Seven Years' War transformed. He becomes a diligent miller and marries, settling into domestic life at his father's mill. But his past resurfaces when an old comrade arrives, and a former lover with red hair watches from the shadows, threatening his newfound stability with jealousy and supernatural omens.
Zum wilden Mann
"Zum wilden Mann" by Wilhelm Raabe is a novella written in 1873 and published in 1885. In a small German town near the Kyffhäuser, apothecary Philipp Kristeller recounts to friends how he acquired his pharmacy thirty years earlier with money left by a mysterious acquaintance named August. When August returns as a decorated Brazilian colonel, the reunion seems joyful—until his true intentions emerge. This tale explores how friendship crumbles when confronted with greed and self-interest in Germany's materialistic Gründerzeit era.
Elderflowers
"Elderflowers" by Wilhelm Raabe is a poignant novel written in the late 19th century. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the intersection of life and death, set against the backdrop of the author's experiences as a doctor. It reflects on how memories and connections can shape one's understanding of life, illuminating the complexities of human emotions. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of a doctor who reminisces about his encounters with a young Jewish girl named Jemimah Loew in the Jewish cemetery of Prague, known as Beth-Chaim. The doctor grapples with his feelings for Jemimah while witnessing her struggle with a mysterious heart ailment. The story deepens as he learns about the tragic fate of another young woman, Mahalath, who shares an eerie resemblance with Jemimah. This connection intertwines their fates, leading to profound reflections on mortality and the sweetness of youthful dreams against the harsh realities of life. Ultimately, the novel blends rich imagery with emotional depth, creating a lasting impact on the reader, resonating with the essence of human existence.
The Black Galley
"The Black Galley" by Wilhelm Raabe is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set in the context of the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) between Spain and the Dutch Republic, the narrative revolves around themes of war, honor, and love against a backdrop of naval conflict and political intrigue. The story focuses on characters such as Jan Norris, a sea beggar entangled in the struggle for Dutch independence, and Myga van Bergen, whose fate becomes intertwined with his as they navigate the dangers imposed by the Spanish forces. At the start of the novel, the tension is palpable as Spanish soldiers man the walls of Fort Liefkenhoek during a dark and stormy night in November 1599. Alarms are sounded, and a battle is hinted at through distant cannon fire, encapsulating the audience in a gripping wartime atmosphere. The narrative introduces Captain Jeronimo, a seasoned soldier contemplating the futility of war, and glimpses into the lives of Jan and Myga, separated by circumstances yet still bound by childhood promises. The opening sets the stage for the impending confrontation at sea involving the mysterious Black Galley, sparking intrigue and foreshadowing the personal and collective struggles each character will face in this tumultuous era.
Deutscher Mondschein
"Deutscher Mondschein" by Wilhelm Raabe is a novella written in early 1872 and published in 1873. A vacationing jurist encounters his colleague Löhnefinke, a Prussian judge who inexplicably declares the moon his mortal enemy. Through persistent questioning, the narrator uncovers a strange tale linking Löhnefinke's lunar hatred to the 1848 revolution, suppressed poetry, and a life of excessive conformity. What drives a respectable judge to madness? The answer lies in the consequences of political turmoil and the dangerous repression of one's true nature.
La Nigra Galero
"La Nigra Galero" by Wilhelm Raabe is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds during a turbulent time in 1599, focusing on the violence and chaos of war in the region, specifically highlighting the struggles and lives of its characters amidst the backdrop of conflict. The main themes revolve around the impact of war on human lives and relationships, with the prominent figures including the young captain Jan Norris and his fiancée, Myga van Bergen. At the start of the novel, the setting is established on a stormy night at the fort Liefkenhoek, where soldiers anxiously await news of a naval battle. The ominous presence of the "Nigra Galero" is felt as soldiers speculate about its fate, evoking a sense of dread and anticipation in the air. The narrative introduces various characters, including the experienced captain Jeronimo, who reflects on lost glory and the futility of their ongoing struggles. As the events unfold, hints of personal relationships between Jan and Myga, along with their hopes and fears amidst the war, emerge, creating a poignant contrast between the chaos of battle and the yearning for love and normalcy.
German Moonlight
"German Moonlight" by Wilhelm Raabe is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book follows a lawyer, who is also a father of three sons, as he embarks on a journey that intertwines the mundane aspects of civil service with the whimsical and often irrational realm of human emotions, epitomized by the titular German moon. The narrative explores themes related to sanity, the impact of nature on the human psyche, and the conflicts between prosaic duties and romantic ideals. The story unfolds on the island of Sylt, where the protagonist encounters Circuit Judge Löhnefinke, a man seemingly consumed by his fear of the moon. Through their interactions, Löhnefinke reveals his struggles with societal expectations and personal frustrations brought on by his poetic inclinations. As they navigate the moonlit landscape, they delve into the judge's past, discovering how he has become entangled in a web of inherited legacies and ideals that clash with his desires for self-expression. Ultimately, the novel serves as a reflection on the tension between reason and emotion, duty and passion, captured beautifully against the backdrop of the German moonlight.
Meister Autor; oder, die Geschichten vom versunkenen Garten
"Meister Autor; oder, die Geschichten vom versunkenen Garten" by Wilhelm Raabe is a narrative written and published in 1873. A writer recounts interconnected stories of people navigating different life paths in rural Germany's changing society. When a world traveler returns home with exotic treasures and leaves his fortune to a forester's daughter, she rises into high society but loses her enchanted garden to urban expansion. The tale explores questions of belonging, meaning, and whether one can find fulfillment within, outside, or at society's margins.