The Wish: A Novel

by Hermann Sudermann

"The Wish: A Novel" by Hermann Sudermann is a literary work written in the late 19th century. The novel centers around complex emotions and relationships, particularly focusing on Olga, a woman caught in the aftermath of a tragic love story involving her sister's husband, Robert Hellinger. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and moral strife as the characters navigate the difficult dynamics of personal desires against social expectations. The opening of the novel introduces the reader to an old doctor contemplating his life’s work and the turbulence that lies ahead. As he receives letters containing joyful news about familial ties and love, his mundane morning is shattered by another letter announcing Olga's tragic decision to end her life due to insurmountable emotional turmoil. The turmoil intensifies as the doctor grapples with the implications of Olga's death, discovering the profound impact it has on Robert Hellinger, her betrothed, who is haunted by grief and questions about her demise. This sets the stage for a poignant exploration of the fragility of human connections and the devastating consequences of unspoken feelings and societal pressures.