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41 pages 1 hour read

Mother Courage and Her Children

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1939

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Book Brief

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Bertolt Brecht

Mother Courage and Her Children

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1939
Book Details
Pages

154

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Europe • 1600s

Publication Year

1939

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht follows Anna Fierling, known as Mother Courage, and her three children as they navigate the hardships of the Thirty Years War in seventeenth-century Europe. Operating a rolling canteen business, Mother Courage attempts to profit from the war while striving to keep her children safe. Over twelve years and twelve scenes, the family encounters various challenges and tragedies, ultimately leaving Mother Courage poor, childless, and alone as she continues her journey with her canteen wagon. The book contains scenes depicting violence, torture, and sexual assault, including the trauma experienced by Kattrin.

Gritty

Dark

Challenging

Contemplative

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.1

21,603 ratings

58%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children praise its profound anti-war message and powerful depiction of human resilience. Critics commend the compelling characterization of Mother Courage and Brecht's innovative use of epic theater techniques. However, some find its didactic style and emotional detachment challenging. Overall, it's a thought-provoking, if demanding, masterpiece.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Mother Courage and Her Children?

Readers who appreciate thought-provoking political and social commentary in literature would enjoy Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht. Fans of Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World, who enjoy exploring themes of war, survival, and the human condition, will be particularly drawn to Brecht's work.

4.1

21,603 ratings

58%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

Character List

Mother Courage (Anna Fierling)

A shrewd, resourceful businesswoman and mother determined to protect her children amid the chaos of wartime, often wrestling with the moral complexities her survival instincts entail.

Mother Courage’s oldest son, who follows in his father's military footsteps, valuing personal glory in battle despite the risks and controversies tied to his actions.

Mother Courage’s younger son, whose honesty and loyalty find him a responsible position within the war effort yet also result in several naive missteps due to his straightforward nature.

The silent daughter of Mother Courage, who communicates non-verbally and works alongside her mother, facing unique perils as a young woman in a wartime environment.

A religious figure who navigates the war’s shifting allegiances and moral ambiguities, serving as a reminder of the conflict’s religious undertones while often prioritizing self-preservation.

Book Details
Pages

154

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Europe • 1600s

Publication Year

1939

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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