The Adventurous Simplicissimus by Hans Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen
"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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About this eBook
| 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 |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicius_Simplicissimus |
| Note | Reading ease score: 55.9 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. |
| Credits | Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures |
| Subject | Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648 -- Fiction |
| Subject | German fiction -- Translations into English |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 33858 |
| Release Date | Oct 14, 2010 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 817 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |
