Plot Summary

The Radetzky March

Joseph Roth
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The Radetzky March

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1932

Book Brief

Joseph Roth

The Radetzky March

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1932
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Austro-Hungarian Empire • Early 20th century

Publication Year

1932

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

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

Reviews & Readership

4.2

13,674 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Radetzky March?

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.

4.2

13,674 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

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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Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Austro-Hungarian Empire • Early 20th century

Publication Year

1932

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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