Reviews

Faust 1 und 2 by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

hadeanstars's review against another edition

4.0

You can only review this sort of literature on two distinct levels. First it is a classic, and a high-calibre one at that, second, it is not easy or particularly flowing in style. It's old-fasioned and a little like opera (which was probably von Goethe's audince anyway) so all the messages are repeated ad infinitum, and too it's written in verse, so one would not expect this to read easily or especially engagingly.

I enjoyed book one much more than the majority of book two which made a strange juxtaposition of medieval theocracy with classical paganism. The devil was certainly out of his depth, but the concepts did not fit together very well for me. The first book was a delight by comparison, so much more human and relatable (inasmuch as anyone can relate to making a pact with the devil).

Still, it's great, in the true sense of the word, and even if there are long sections which are hard work, you cannot fail to appreciate just how epic this work is. Worth the time.

moonys_daemon's review

adventurous reflective

3.5

hakkun1's review against another edition

funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jeffreywbush's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

contintayletras's review against another edition

1.0

1,5.
No le pongo un 1 porque "Fausto parte 1" ha estado algo mejor que la segunda, que se me ha hecho eterna, gracias a dios que es teatro y se pasan las páginas volando. Las escenas más importantes suceden demasiado deprisa y son tratadas muy por encima, mientras que hay parrafadas irrelevantes que ocupan numerosas páginas. "Fausto 2" debería llamarse "Helena y compañía", porque mitología griega hay por un canuto, mientras que la historia de Fausto pasa a un segundo (o décimo) plano.

bgmylc's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

oelia's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A genuinely very impressive book. It can hardly be understated how amazing it is that this even exists. You wouldn't think that the rhymes and verses add all that much but they do and they are beautiful. With that said, what happend in the second part? Acts 1-4 are almost entirely lost on me, not because they are abstract or almost surrealist, but because they don't fit in with the first part and with the structure of this play(?, I can't imagine this being actually properly realized in a theater). I guess they are a continuation of Faust's journey through the highest of experiences, but I think Faust shines most when there's just him and Mephisto and few other setpieces and characters. Act 5, however, justifies everything that came before it. It is one of the most beautiful endings for anything, Faust's last words are so touching I actually cried a little.

swancubine's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

cschmi46's review against another edition

3.0

I believe I've only read part one of this, but I enjoyed it to some degree. The concept of the story is very intriguing, but I'm not particularly enthusiastic with the way Goethe writes it.

mayam330's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5