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A Man in Love
A Man in Love: A Novel | Martin Walser
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For readers of Colm Toibins The Master and Michael Cunninghams The Hours, a witty, moving, tender novel of impossible love and the mysterious ways of art. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is so famous his servant auctions off snippets of his hair and children and adults recite from his many works by memory. When he was a young poet, his first novel, a story of love and romantic fervor ending in suicide, was an international blockbuster that set off a wave of self-inflicted deaths across Europe. Now seventy-three, sought after and busy with scientific pursuits and responsibilities to the Grand Duke, he has fallen in love with a nineteen-year-old, Ulrike von Levetzov. Infatuated, at the spa in Marienbad, he seeks her out. They exchange glances, witty words. In the social swirl, they find each other. On the promenade, they parade together arm in arm. Time spent away from her is sleepless, and when they kiss, it is in the Goethian way, from his books: a matter of souls, not mouths or lips. And yet, his years fail him. At an afternoon tea party, a younger man tries to seduce her. At a costume ball, he collapses. When he proposes nonetheless, Ulrike and her mother are already preparing to leave. Caught in a storm of emotion and torn between despair and unwillingness to give up hope, he begins an elegy in his coach as he pursues her: The Marienbad Elegy, one of his last great works.
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BookishMe
A Man in Love: A Novel | Martin Walser
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As usual, I scanned library display before exiting. Curious about title of the hardcover, I reached for it just to peek at synopsis. Lovely surprise to find out it's a retelling of von Goethe!
Of cos I borrowed it instantly
😁DUH😁 simple joy of serendipitous find was a treat after a demanding week #KeepLitsyPositive

Late last night, I saw the rather ominous quote! Stranger coincidence to get hold of these unwittingly before his death anniversary

BookishMe @SquidgetsRoom so that was my Saturday evening after work. How's your weekend coming along? Having late lunch soon cos it's mostly a lazy Sunday ;p 5y
DieAReader My Saturday was good @BookishMe Hubby & I had 🍝 at my parents house. Mom‘s homemade sauce is awesome! Got a bunch of laundry & dishes done too. Not much reading done but otherwise, very productive day! 5y
BookishMe @SquidgetsRoom sounds GREAT! Clearing laundry pile is always satisfying ;D 5y
DieAReader The dishes were super satisfying too 🤪. Today‘s goal is massive reading & the last little bit of dishes. 5y
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