Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts: Ein Klassiker der deutschen Romantik

well, im actually in the middle of writing an essay on the implementation of music in this book, in a romantic literature seminar in freiburg, germany. this is one of the most brilliant books we've read during the entire semester, exactly because, upon first reading this book, one sets it down with a smile and assumes that he has just enjoyed a splendid little novel about a "taugenichts" as a good for nothing is referred to in german. however, only upon examining the oft surfacing poetical songs of the novel and the easily over read subtleties of the lesser characters does one realize that the entire point and central theme of the book are something completely different that at first assumed. i can never remember so stark a smack in the face than i received while reading this book the fourth time through. the highest recommendation to anyone interested at all in the german literary romantic movement, or anyone else looking for a good, quick read (it's perfectly satisfying, as i've said, even if you dont dig deep).