Martin Salander
May 2024 · Marchen Press
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442
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About this ebook
"Martin Salander" is both the title of a family and historical novel by Gottfried Keller, published in 1886. This final work by the author is a candid critique of conditions in his own country and beyond. It follows Martin, a poor idealist, as he navigates life ethically, which is a reflection of Keller's hope for a compassionate family life as an image for a free Switzerland. The idealistic but credulous and naive protagonist returns to his Swiss homeland after a lengthy stay in Brazil, achieving prosperity as a merchant and engaging in political activities. However, he witnesses how the unchecked pursuit of social advancement leads many contemporaries into fraud and embezzlement, resulting in him and his family becoming victims of such schemes. His hope that people, endowed with political rights in their country, would interact more responsibly with each other is bitterly disappointed, leading him to hand over the management of his business to his pragmatic son by the novel's end. One can compare this novel to Dosteovsky's "The Idiot". Martin Salander, the main character, arrives in the Swiss town of Münsterburg, where he is immediately struck by the changes that have taken place during his absence. The narrative begins with his observations of the new, unfamiliar streets and buildings, which symbolize both progress and the passage of time. Salander's journey through the city is marked by a mixture of nostalgia and disorientation, reflecting his internal struggle to reconcile his past with the present. As Salander makes her way to reunite with her family, she encounters old acquaintances and reflects on her past experiences. His interactions reveal the complexity of his relationships and the challenges he faces in reconnecting with his wife and children after a long separation. The story delves into themes of financial ruin and personal redemption as Salander recounts the misfortunes that led him to leave Switzerland and his efforts to rebuild his life in Brazil. His return is bittersweet, marked by a mixture of hope and fear for the future. In his later work, Gottfried Keller undertook an experiment on multiple fronts. He engaged with contemporary history more directly than in any of his previous works and ventured into new formal pathways by attempting to minimize the use of an authoritative narrator. Despite varying reception, the novel held norm-setting power for many subsequent Swiss writers. Keller's narrative is rich with social commentary, highlighting the economic and social changes in Swiss society. Through Salander's perspective, the novel critiques the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals and communities in the face of progress and modernization. This modern critical reader's translation from the original German includes supplementary materials that bring Keller's life and impact to life. Nietzsche considered Keller to be one of the greatest living poets of his time. However, his works are rarely found in other languages, so most people today are unaware of who he was or why he was important. This edition remedies that situation by providing a clear, accessible version of Keller's original German writing and offering insight into his broader ideas and the philosophical landscape in which he operated. Working directly from Keller's manuscripts, this new translation delivers literary excellence and scholarly depth with amplifying materials. Readers will discover not only Keller's powerful voice but also the philosophical currents that shaped an entire era of German thought. The edition includes an illuminating afterword tracing Keller's intellectual relationship with Nietzsche, revealing the fascinating dialogue between two of the period's most influential minds. A comprehensive timeline connects the major events of Keller's life with his published works, and a detailed index provides an authoritative guide to his complete writings. Together, these materials provide newcomers and serious readers with everything needed to appreciate one of literature's most overlooked figures.
About the author
One of Nietzsche's favorite living poets (the only real Swiss poet in his opinion, Keller was a major Swiss poet and writer, Keller is best known for his novel "Green Henry" (German: "Der grüne Heinrich"). His work is representative of the Realist movement, which sought to depict life and society as they were. Keller's stories often reflect the conflict between individual creative drives and the constraints of society. His novel "The People of Seldwyla" was one of Nietzsche's favorite.
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