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Summary
Editor's review
As an editor, I believe the value of this book goes far beyond the parable of a 'bargain between soul and devil.' It is an encyclopedia distilling Europe's spiritual exploration since the Renaissance, bringing together a vast panorama of myth, philosophy, science, politics, and love. Through Faust's ceaseless striving, Goethe probes deeply into the meaning of life, the limits of knowledge, the bounds of desire, and the highest ideal of the human spirit: unremitting self-improvement. Reading Faust—especially Goethe's final grant of salvation to Faust through creative labor 'opening up territory for humanity's freedom'—can lift us beyond a narrow concern with personal gain and loss and lead us to ask what constitutes a truly fulfilling and worthwhile life. Mr. Qian Chunqi's translation includes detailed notes and commentaries that effectively help readers bridge the gaps of culture and era and delve into this treasure house of thought.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Deep readers with a strong interest in European classical literature and philosophical thought
- Literature lovers eager to appreciate the artistic charm of verse drama and the essence of German literature
- Thinkers seeking answers to questions of life's meaning and spiritual dilemmas that transcend their era
- Readers with some reading experience who are not afraid to tackle grand narratives and complex texts
Not a good fit for
- Readers looking for light entertainment or fast-paced reading
- Complete beginners unfamiliar with Western cultural background and classical literary forms
Reading tips
- On a first reading, focus on Part One, which has stronger dramatic conflict and a more concentrated story, making it easier to enter.
- Make good use of the translation's notes and introduction to understand the mythological allusions, historical background, and philosophical metaphors behind the story—this is key to understanding the book.
- Don't feel you must understand everything at once; treat it as a mine to be revisited at different stages of life, where new insights often emerge.
About the publisher
Shanghai Translation Publishing House is a Chinese publisher oriented mainly toward translation and publishing. Its publications cover foreign literature, world classics and classic works, as well as social culture, folk literature and classical poetry. The database contains 2,618 titles, including Never Let Me Go, Les Misérables (2 volumes), Don Quixote (illustrated collector's edition), The Complete Comedies of Molière (4 volumes), The Complete Novels of Kafka (3 volumes), The Collected Works of Dostoevsky (9-volume set), Reason and Persons, and Oedipus Rex (Translation Classics). Its author resources include foreign writers such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Victor Hugo, Cervantes and Molière, as well as translators such as Zheng Kelu, Sun Jiameng, Li Jianwu and Zhang Kun. The publisher has brands such as "Translation Classics Selections" and "Translation Documentary," and emphasizes translated works in foreign literature and the humanities and social sciences, while also publishing bilingual dictionaries and foreign-language educational books. Public information is limited; the above is based on the book information in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 译本序
- 献诗
- 舞台序幕
- 天上序曲
- 悲剧 第一部
- 第一场 夜
- 第二场 城门外
- 第三场 书斋
- 第四场 书斋
- 第五场 莱比锡奥艾尔巴赫地下酒室
- 第六场 魔女的丹房
- 第七场 街道
- 第八场 傍晚
- 第九场 散步路
- 第十场 邻妇之家
- 第十一场 街道
- 第十二场 庭园
- 第十三场 园亭
- 第十四场 森林和山洞
- 第十五场 格蕾辛的住房
- 第十六场 玛尔太的庭园
- 第十七场 井边
- 第十八场 城墙里巷
- 第十九场 夜
- 第二十场 教堂
- 第二十一场 瓦尔普吉斯之夜
- 第二十二场 阴暗的日子
- 第二十三场 夜
- 第二十四场 牢狱
- 悲剧 第二部
- 第一幕
- 第二幕
- 第三幕
- 第四幕
- 第五幕
FAQ
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About the author
Johann Goethe is a highly influential writer in the history of German literature. Publicly available information about the details of his life is limited, yet his works alone are enough to establish his standing. The library holds three of his works, including Faust and The Sorrows of Young Werther, commonly classified under foreign literature and world classics. The Sorrows of Young Werther, written in epistolary form, depicts the conflict between personal emotion and social pressure in sincere language and once struck a wide chord with readers; Faust, in the form of a poetic drama, explores themes such as the pursuit of knowledge, desire, and redemption, with a grand structure and strong speculative character. Goethe's writing combines lyricism with philosophical reflection and elevates individual experience into universal observation of human nature, leaving a profound influence on later literary creation.