The New Sorrows of Young W.

This is a great book--I've never read the English translation and I'm sure it doesn't quite do the original justice (translations rarely do), but if you're a fan of The Catcher in the Rye or of Goethe (less likely :), then this is a MUST read. Basically, its the story of a teenager who is in love with an engaged girl (Charlie/Charlotte) in 1970s East Germany, who rebels against conformity, moves to Berlin alone and goes nuts. The work uses Salingeresque language and narration (or at least the German equivalent) full of heartache and melancholy. While you learn in the opening pages that Edgar (the protagonist) doesn't make it out alive, its a great trip to find out the how and the why of it. German literature doesn't get much better than this one.

I had to read this book in a German Lit course in college about 10 years ago. I loved it. It is a must read for any fan of "Catcher in the Rye." I loaned it to all my friends, unfortunately, somewhere along the line I never got it back. I have been looking for the book for about 4 years now... that is how great of a story it is. Glad to see it finally available here...