The nature of creativity changes over time. The 18th century led to the education of multifaceted talented creators and thinkers.
The artist is almost certainly a composer, a statesman is a philosopher. XIX century already shows the emergence of creative specializations - philosopher, psychologist, sociologist, novelist.
Germany spawned entire dynasties of talented statesmen, thinkers and enlighteners. From classical romanticism to psychologism and surrealism, the range of what the German writers and philosophers presented to the literary world is immense.
Hoffmann and Goethe, the brothers Grimm and the brothers Manna, Nietzsche and Kafka ... Let's see what these people from the list of the most famous German writers are famous for and what literary trail they had to leave.
10. Gunter Grass
A striking feature of the works of the writer, born in 1927, is the combination of the grotesque with surrealism.
Already in the debut novel "Tin Drum", these features showed themselves so clearly Gunter Grass He was awarded a literary prize only for reading fragments of an as yet unfinished work.
In 1961, the continuation of The Drum, Cats and Mice, was released, and in 1965, The Dog Years, the final novel of the trilogy.
The writer was always worried about the problems of the history of Nazism, the comprehension of the world tragedy that had happened. This was especially important for him, because Gunter served as a volunteer in the SS troops - he fought, was wounded, and was captured.
- Tin Drum (1959)
- Cat and Mouse (1961)
- Dog Years (1965)
9. Thomas and Heinrich Mann
At the end of the XIX century, Germany gave history to many writers. In the merchant family of Mann alone, two sons were born, who became eminent writers and founders of a literary dynasty.
Born in 1871 Heinrich Mannwho gained world fame after the release of the novel "Promised Land" in 1900. Bright evil satire combined with deep psychological analysis.
From 1914 to 1925, the writer creates the trilogy “Empire”, the first novel of which (“Loyal subject”) brings world fame. A cross-cutting feature of all the works is an evil criticism of imperialism and the nearsightedness of the bourgeoisie.
- Promised Land (1900)
- Goddess, or Three Novels of the Duchess of Assy (1903)
- The Young Years of King Henry IV (1935)
- The Mature Years of King Henry IV (1938)
His younger brother Thomas (born 1875) adhered to directly opposing beliefs, which led to numerous quarrels with his brother (in the magazine of which young Thomas made his debut) and even a breakdown.
In the year 1901 Thomas Mann seeks international recognition. The novel "Buddenbrooks" can be considered almost autobiographical - the life and decline of the merchant dynasty are described in detail and with deep attention to psychology.
The novel was so successful that in 1929 he brought Thomas the Nobel Prize.
- Buddenbrooks (1901)
8. Cornelia Funke
Born in 1958, a German writer became the author of more than 40 fantasy books. The works are aimed at children and adolescents, but provide food for adult minds.
The choice of the audience is far from accidental - Cornelia FunkeBeing a social worker, she talked a lot with disabled children.
Interestingthat she first came to book publishing as an illustrator.
Five novels of the writer were filmed. The Russian audience is well acquainted with the film "Inkheart", based on the novel of the same name.
Twice her works were awarded the title "Best Book of the Year", and according to the Times magazine, Cornelia acquired the status of "the most influential German woman in the world."
- Through the Looking Glass (2003-2015)
- Ghostbusters (2006-2007)
- King of Thieves (2000)
- Wild Chicken (1993-2003)
7. Erich Maria Remarque
Erich Paul Remarque Born in 1898 in a large family of bookbinder. It is not surprising that sooner or later he had to prove himself as a writer.
Interesting fact: née Paul, Remarque changed his middle name to Mary in honor of his beloved, but early dead mother.
The very first novel - “On the Western Front Without Changes” - brought the young author world fame and even a nomination for the Nobel Prize. But not everyone recognized the novel.
Despite the overwhelming success of the film made on his motives (just two Oscars!), From the side of both literary circles and society, the novel was sharply criticized.
- On the Western Front without Change (1929)
- Three comrades (1936)
- Arc de Triomphe (1945)
- The spark of life (1952)
- Life on loan (1959):
- Night in Lisbon (1962)
6. Franz Kafka
The surname of this German writer and philosopher became a household name. Born in 1883 in a Prague Jewish family, Franz KafkaThanks to his mother’s condition, he was able to get a good education and take a quiet position with moderate income.
But bureaucracy was deeply disgusted with the soul of a young man prone to asceticism and self-condemnation.
He hated the service, openly confessed his love of literature - but in his entire life he published only four collections of short stories:
- Contemplation;
- Rural doctor;
- Kara;
- Hunger.
Most of his incredible, completely supernatural work is known to us only thanks to the courage of the executor who broke the word and refused to destroy his papers after the death of the writer.
6. Friedrich Nietzsche
"The philosopher who drove himself crazy" was born in 1844. Already a schoolboy Friedrich Nietzsche keenly interested in ancient history, philosophy and music. He was not only a good performer, but also tried to engage in musical creativity.
Nietzsche's success in the study of philology is confirmed by the fact that he was already invited to the post at the age of 24.
Nietzsche wrote quite a few scientific articles, but the publication of the first major work brought him fame. The novel "The Birth of Tragedy, or Hellenism and Pessimism" became a literary event.
It makes no sense to list all the works of the great psychologist and philosopher. We can only note the key in his work:
- The birth of tragedy, or Hellenism and pessimism (1872)
- So said Zarathustra. A book for all and for no one (1883-1885)
- On the other side of good and evil. Prelude to the Philosophy of the Future (1886)
- Twilight of idols, or how they philosophize with a hammer (1888)
- Antichrist. The Curse of Christianity (1888)
4. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Born in Berlin in 1785 Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm. A year later, he joined Wilhelm Karl - and later the brothers were almost inseparable.
The creativity of the brothers is known to the Russian-speaking reader, primarily from the collection of classic German fairy tales. The Tales of the Brothers Grimm became the basis of many works of theater and cinema, as well as literary imitations.
It was the publications of the brothers that led to the design of linguistics as an independent science. The German Dictionary, about a quarter of which the brothers themselves managed to compile during their lifetime, was completed only at the end of the 20th century and covers almost all German dialects.
- German dictionary (1852 to the present)
- Tales (1804-1855)
3. Patrick Suskind
Born in 1949, writer Patrick Suskind known, in his own words, as "the author of short stories that were never published anywhere and scripts that were never shot."
But it is not so.
In 1980, his drama "Double Bass" brought popularity among readers and good fees.
In 1985, the public was shocked by the novel Perfumer. The story of one killer. " The total circulation of "Perfumer", published in 47 languages, amounted to more than 12 million copies.
- Double bass (1980)
- Perfumer. The Story of a Murderer (1985)
- Literary Amnesia (1986)
2. Ernst Hoffmann
Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann - the name of a German writer born in 1776 in the family of a lawyer sounds like that.
Ernst Hoffmann was educated broadly and multifaceted. In creativity left a noticeable mark as an artist and composer.
Interestingthat in 1805, out of respect for Mozart, he changed his third name to Amadeus.
Public service was boring, and Hoffmann often returned home in frustrated feelings. Ernst Hoffmann found a way out in literary work. The lines that came out from under his pen sometimes, in their own words, "terrified him."
Collections of short stories “Fantasies in the manner of Kallo”, “Night Etudes” and “Serapion Brothers”, written in the spirit of late romanticism, are riddled with subtle irony. And we all know the fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King."
- Fantasies in the manner of Callot (1814)
- The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816)
- Night Etudes (1817)
- The Serapion Brothers (1819-1821)
- Worldly Views of the Cat Murra (1819-1821)
- The Lord of the Fleas (1822)
1. Wolfgang Goethe
Born in 1849, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe distinguished by the immense breadth of horizons and interests. He is a writer, a philosopher, and a statesman.
The deep thinker does not shy away from natural science experiments, which left a deep mark in botany, biology, physics and physiology.
Did you knowthat Goethe was elected an honorary member of the Moscow Society of Naturalists?
In literature, Goethe is known as one of the founders of the movement, known as the Weimar Classicism. The first significant work (the drama "Goetz von Berlichingen") makes Goethe a famous and influential writer.
Almost immediately, the sentimental novel The Suffering of Young Werther consolidates worldwide literary fame. The main literary work is considered the drama “Faust”.
- The suffering of young Werther (1774)
- Iphigenia in Tauris (1779-1788)
- Egmont (1788)
- Faust (1774-1832)