Elective Affinities
Elective Affinities
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1809
Book Brief
272
Novel • Fiction
Germany • Early 1800s
1809
Adult
18+ years
1240L
Super Short Summary
Elective Affinities by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe explores human relationships through the lens of chemical affinities, focusing on Edward and Charlotte, who are happily married until introducing the Captain and Ottilie into their household. This shifts the dynamics, leading to complicated romantic entanglements and a series of personal crises affecting everyone involved.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
12,280 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Goethe's Elective Affinities is praised for its sophisticated exploration of human relationships and social constraints. Critics commend its rich, philosophical dialogue and intricate character dynamics. However, some find the plot slow and the characters' actions overly deterministic. Despite this, it remains a compelling study of emotional and moral complexities.
Who Should Read Elective Affinities?
A reader who delights in Elective Affinities by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is likely an enthusiast of classic literature with a focus on human relationships, moral dilemmas, and societal constraints. Fans of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy or Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert may find its exploration of love, marriage, and passion captivating.
12,280 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
272
Novel • Fiction
Germany • Early 1800s
1809
Adult
18+ years
1240L
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