Grimmelshausen s simplicissimus adventures of a simpleton 1669 is largely responsible for establishing the novel as an important genre in german literature. Simplicius simplicissimus german edition grimmelshausen, hans jakob christoffel v on. Alone among the products of the german baroque, it speaks directly to the modern reader with its narrative verve, its portrayal of a turbulent historical epoch, and its psychological character analysis. Jun 15, 2005 grimmelshausen s bestknown work, simplicissimus, was published in 1668 dated 1669, its sequel, the continuatio, in 1669.
Grimmelshausen invented a naive, feckless hero with a guileless, lovable persona. Grimmelshausen s work is greatly influenced by previous utopian and travel literature, and the simplicissimus series attained a readership larger than any other seventeenthcentury novel. Born to an illiterate peasant family, he is separated from his. The novel follows a boy from the spessart named simplicius in the holy roman empire during the 30 years war as he grows up in the depraved environment and joins the armies of both warring sides, switching allegiances several times. Late in life, grimmelshausen wrote simplicius simplicissimus, which became an immediate and overwhelming success, initiating the german novel tradition. Simplicissimus is the eternal innocent, the simpleminded survivor, and we follow him from a childhood in which he loses his parents to the casual atrocities of occupying troops, through his own soldiering adventures, and up to his final vocation as a hermit alone on an island. Considered one of the most significant works of german literature, it contains a satirical and partially autobiographical picture set during the thirty years war 161848.
Influenced by the spanish picaresque novel, the saga of simplicius takes its hero through wars, marriages, and travels that culminate on an uncharted south atlantic island. Grimmelshausens simplicissimus adventures of a simpleton 1669 is largely responsible for establishing the novel as an important genre in german literature. At the age of ten he was kidnapped by hessian soldiery, and in their midst tasted the adventures of military life in the thirty years war. Laszlo krasznahorkai a torrent of hypnotic, lyrical prose. Grimmelshausens bestknown work, simplicissimus, was published in 1668 dated 1669, its sequel, the continuatio, in 1669. Inspired by the events and horrors of the thirty years war which devastated germany from 1618 to 1648, it is. The adventures of simplicius simplicissimus, trams.
Inspired by the events and horrors of the thirty years war which devastated germany. The adventurous simplicissimus main text of the 1912 heinemann edition, trans. Thus, the novel simplicissimus can be read as a political treatise with striking insights on the state of. See all 6 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. See all 4 formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
It was widely imitated and existed in many versions and. Department of germanic studies reading list for the m. Grimmelshausen was born at gelnhausen in 1621 or 1622. The adventures of simplicius simplicissimus by hans jakob.
Feb 15, 2006 simplicissimus is the eternal innocent, caught in the middle of the thirty years war. The adventurous simplicissimus being the description of the. Grimmelshausens work is greatly influenced by previous utopian and travel literature, and the simplicissimus series attained a readership larger than any other seventeenthcentury novel. Considered one of the most significant works of german literature, it contains a satirical and partially autobiographical picture set during the thirty years war. Abaa the adventures of simplicissimus by grimmelshausen. L avventuroso simplicissimus grimmelshausen, hans jacob. His early life was dominated by the thirty years war 16181648 in which he fought for both sides. Simplicissimus is the eternal innocent, caught in the middle of the thirty years war. The adventures of simplicius simplicissimus 9780249865. Walter wallich, in this translation, aptly captures the zest. He describes his first involvement in the war as a snottynosed tenyearold musketeer in his writing and served as a soldier until its end. He is best known for his 1669 picaresque novel simplicius simplicissimus german. Simplicissimus ebook by johann grimmelshausen rakuten kobo. Considered one of the most significant works of german literature, it contains a satirical and.