Zürich Novellas

By Gottfried Keller

A new 2023 complete translation of Gottfried Keller's Zurich Novellas, followed by an Afterword by the translator, a timeline of his life and works and an index of his works. This edition contains all of the Zurich novellas, Parts I and II, unabridged and in one volume. "The Zürich Novellas," written as "Züricher Novellen," constitute a novella cycle by Gottfried Keller. The first volume comprises three novellas interwoven by a framing narrative that itself constitutes a novella. In the second volume, this interconnection is not present. The novellas included are "Hadlaub," "Der Narr auf Manegg," and "Der Landvogt von Greifensee" in the first volume, while the second volume features "Das Fähnlein der sieben Aufrechten" (The Banner of the Seven Upright Men) and "Ursula." These novellas were initially serialized between November 1876 and April 1877 in the "Deutsche Rundschau" magazine and were later published as the first volume in 1877. The second volume combined Keller's previously published "Das Fähnlein der sieben Aufrechten" with the newly written concluding novella "Ursula," 17 years after its initial release. In contrast to his earlier work "Die Leute von Seldwyla," Keller shifted his focus to historical settings, incorporating elements such as the Manesse Codex and the Manegg Castle ruins. The first three novellas are linked by a framing narrative in which an old uncle aims to impart the values of the past to his inquisitive nephew. This cycle, notable for its didactic undertones, illustrates Keller's evolution in thematic and stylistic approaches. Keller presents the story of Hadlaub against the backdrop of medieval Zurich. The narrative begins with a detailed description of the region around Kaiserstuhl, where two sisters, Mechtildis and Kunigunde, reside in their respective castles, Weiß-Wasserstelz and Schwarz-Wasserstelz. The elder sister, Mechtildis, is portrayed as malicious and conniving, constantly plotting to deprive her younger sister, Kunigunde, of her inheritance. Kunigunde, on the other hand, is portrayed as beautiful, graceful, and steadfast, resolutely resisting her sister's schemes. The story introduces Heinrich von Klingenberg, the emperor's chancellor, who is romantically involved with Kunigunde. His secret visits to her, facilitated by his supposed necromantic abilities, add an element of intrigue and the supernatural to the narrative. The story evolves to reveal that Kunigunde has a daughter, Fides, who is later sent to Zurich and becomes a nun in the Zurich Abbey, eventually becoming its prince abbess through Henry's influence. The narrative then shifts to Fides' life in Zurich under the tutelage of Konrad von Mure, a venerable director of the singing school at the Grossmünster monastery. Recognizing Fides' potential, Konrad becomes her mentor and protector. Through the lens of Fides' upbringing and her interactions with notable figures in Zurich, Keller weaves a rich tapestry of medieval life, social structures, and the cultural milieu of the time. This 2023 translation from the original German is followed by extra materials to bring Keller's life and impact alive. Keller was regarded by Nietzsche as one of the greatest living poets of his time, but his works are rarely found in other languages, and his impact is unknown to the modern reader. This edition is designed to bring a clean, easy-to-read version of his original German manuscripts, and introduce the reader to his broader system of thought, including the philosophic environment of his day. This edition contains: An Afterword by the Translator on Keller's philosophic legacy and his relationship to Nietzsche A timeline of his life and works An index of his body of works and their content

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CK3WZHWM
• ISBN13: 9798862741285
• Release Date: September 2023
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 290 Pages
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.7" x 5.0"