| Author |
Grimmelshausen, Hans Jakob Christoph von, 1625-1676 |
| Title |
The Adventurous Simplicissimus
being the description of the Life of a Strange vagabond named Melchior Sternfels von Fuchshaim
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 55.9 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Credits |
Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
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| Summary |
"The Adventurous Simplicissimus" by Hans Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen is a novel written in the mid-to-late 17th century. The book tells the story of Melchior Sternfels von Fuchshaim, who embarks on a tumultuous journey through the devastation of the Thirty Years' War in Germany. Following his transformation from a simple rustic boy into a more worldly and complex character, the narrative explores themes of survival, innocence, and the human condition amidst chaos. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Simplicissimus, a young boy from a humble background living with his family in the idyllic region of Spessart. His life takes a dark turn when a troop of soldiers invades and ravages his home, leading to panic and destruction. As he escapes into the woods, he grapples with his naivety and fear, ultimately finding shelter with a hermit who begins to educate him about the world beyond his simple upbringing. The opening chapters set the stage for a coming-of-age tale marked by humor, tragedy, and philosophical musings, all of which promise a rich exploration of both the character and the historical context in which he exists. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures
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| Subject |
Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648 -- Fiction
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| Subject |
German fiction -- Translations into English
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
33858 |
| Release Date |
Oct 14, 2010 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
660 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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