The Radetzky March
352
Novel • Fiction
Austro-Hungarian Empire • Early 20th century
1932
Adult
18+ years
The Radetzky March by Joseph Roth follows the decline and fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the lives of three generations of the Trotta family, beginning with Infantry Lieutenant Trotta’s heroics in saving Emperor Franz Joseph I and being ennobled, which sets off a chain of unintended consequences leading to the family's eventual downfall.
Melancholic
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Gritty
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Joseph Roth's The Radetzky March is lauded for its elegant prose and vivid depiction of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's decline. Critics praise the rich historical context and complex characters. Some find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally meandering. Nonetheless, its exploration of loyalty and disintegration resonates deeply with readers.
Readers who relish the intricate exploration of the decline of empires, rich historical detail, and character-driven narratives will appreciate The Radetzky March. Fans of novels like War and Peace and The Leopard will find Roth's portrayal of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's twilight both engrossing and poignant.
13,674 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The novel's title, The Radetzky March, refers to the military march composed by Johann Strauss Sr., which became a symbol of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is mentioned multiple times throughout the book.
Joseph Roth wrote The Radetzky March in 1932, capturing the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before its eventual collapse in World War I.
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The novel was first serialized in the Frankfurter Zeitung, a prominent German newspaper, before being published as a book, highlighting Roth's reputation as a significant literary voice of his time.
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352
Novel • Fiction
Austro-Hungarian Empire • Early 20th century
1932
Adult
18+ years
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