The Suffering of a Boy

Conrad Ferdinand MeyerProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.0

Word count: 105K words
Chapters: 11

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Das Leiden eines Knaben by Conrad Ferdinand MeyerAuthor: Meyer, Conrad Ferdinand, 1825-1898,Language: German, Class: PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures, Release Date: Dec 1, 2005

Editor's review

Das Leiden eines Knaben is a novella by the Swiss author Conrad Ferdinand Meyer, in the original German and a public-domain ebook from Project Gutenberg. Meyer is known for historical subjects and psychological portrayal. This work revolves around the tribulations of a boy; its tone is restrained and introspective, focusing on the tension between the characters' inner lives and their surroundings. The narrative pace is unhurried, yet emotional weight accumulates through detail. Its value lies not in strongly stimulating plot but in a careful observation of suffering, growth, and human vulnerability, making it suitable for readers willing to slow down and appreciate the flavor of German narrative prose. While reading, one may pay attention to shifts in narrative perspective and the layered unfolding of the characters' psychology, or understand it within the tradition of 19th-century German-language literature. Because it is a public-domain original text, the edition has no modern annotations, so readers with insufficient German may need a dictionary or bilingual materials. Overall, this is a classic short work suited to quiet, careful reading and repeated savoring.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with some German reading ability who enjoy classic literature
Literature lovers interested in 19th-century German-language short novels
Readers drawn to themes of boyhood growth and psychological portrayal
Readers who wish to encounter Meyer's narrative style in a short format

Not a good fit for

Readers with no German at all who are unwilling to use辅助 tools
Those who prefer fast-paced, plot-driven, light reading
Classroom beginners who need detailed annotations and introductions

Reading tips

First read through to grasp the direction of the story, then read a second time to examine the characters' psychology and shifts in narrative perspective.
Keep a German dictionary at hand, mark key words and sentences that affect understanding, and look them up together after finishing.
You may read introductions to Meyer's other historical works to understand the overall character of his style.
After reading, write a short note recording your understanding of the boy's tribulations and the narrative method.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What level of German is needed to read this book?

The language belongs to 19th-century German literary expression, with sentences of some density. An intermediate level of German reading ability and a habit of using a dictionary are recommended. If your German is weaker, you can first read a Chinese translation or bilingual materials to understand the plot, then return to the original to appreciate the language and narrative rhythm.

Is this work long? Is it suitable to read in one sitting?

It is a novella and not long, but the narrative pace is slow and the psychological depiction detailed, so it is better read in two or three sessions. Pausing briefly after each session to review the characters' relationships and emotional changes makes it easier to appreciate the work's layers than reading it all at once.

Does the Project Gutenberg edition have annotations or an introduction?

This edition is a public-domain ebook and usually provides only the original text, without modern editorial annotations or an introduction. Readers who need background information can consult introductions to Meyer and his creative period in histories of German literature, or use an annotated library edition as a supplement.

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About the author

Conrad Ferdinand Meyer Author · Swiss · 1825–1898

Conrad Ferdinand Meyer (1825–1898) was a Swiss poet and novelist, born in Zurich and died in Kilchberg. He is known for his historical novellas and poetry, with representative works including Huttens letzte Tage, Die Versuchung des Pescara, Die Hochzeit des Mönchs, Angela Borgia, Das Leiden eines Knaben and Die Richterin; eight of his works are held in this collection. His writings draw largely on the Renaissance and the Reformation, paying close attention to historical atmosphere and psychological portrayal, with concise language and firm structure. He stands out in nineteenth-century German-language literature and is regarded as one of the representative writers of Swiss literature. Public information on his early life and education is limited, so no speculation is offered here.