You always try to do it, but somehow you don't always have the time to do it: browse through classics of world literature. Even today, you can still learn a lot from the works of past authors. Admittedly, it is often difficult to follow the language; it is tiring to read. How good that getAbstract offers informative summaries!
Read abstracts and be well informed with summaries
As a student, you have to read so much stuff that you hardly have time for private reading lessons. So that you don't miss out on book knowledge, getAbstract offers a brilliant service: journalists summarize books on 5-8 pages! Book summaries give you a great overview, hardly take any time and you can have a say everywhere. Download a free title now, there are even TED summaries!
If you are interested in world classics or have to cram them for your German studies anyway, but don't have enough time to read them all completely, then you definitely shouldn't miss the following 10 book recommendations for summaries of the literary classics !
1. Summary: 'Faust' by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Even the biggest literary philistine knows what is probably the most important poet in German literature: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Although he wrote an incredible amount, his most famous work is probably Faust. Many will learn the story of Dr. Faust, who made a bet with the devil Mephisto, with whose help seduced the virgin Gretchen and ultimately plunged her into ruin. If you want to avoid this, you should read the Faust summary - saves time and (probably) nerves!
2. Summary: 'Death in Venice' by Thomas Manns
Thomas Mann's extremely autobiographical novel tells the story of the artist Gustav Aschenbach, who gives in to his desire to travel and ends up in Venice. There he sees a boy who is so beautiful that he ends up falling in love with him. But this is also where the collapse of his life begins and ends with his death in Venice .
3. Summary: 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka
One of Franz Kafka's most famous works tells the story of the transformation of Gregor Samsa, who becomes a beetle overnight. Kafka addresses themes such as lack of freedom, humiliation, enslavement and a sense of duty towards the family - definitely a classic of world literature.
4. Summary: 'Hamlet' by Shakespeare
Sure, Shakespeare conjured up many other literary classics on paper, but Hamlet is definitely one of the most important. It's about the Prince of Denmark, who is haunted by his father's ghost and called upon to avenge the murder committed by his own brother.
5. Summary: 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde's only novel tells of the handsome Dorian Gray , who wants to stay young and beautiful forever, which is why a portrait should age in his place. Dorian then becomes ruthless towards himself and others. Beauty mania and self-expression – both very current topics if you just take a look at Instagram & Co.
6. Summary: 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen
Love at first sight is not an issue in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice : protagonist Elisabeth Bennet meets Fitzwilliam Darcy and can't stand him from the start, and he isn't enthusiastic about her either. Only after many trials and tribulations do the two come together. In addition to the love story, Austen primarily addresses the topic of marriage - the central goal of women at the time was to marry as profitably as possible.
7. Summary: 'Ulysses' James Joyce
James Joyce's thousand-page novel seems like a modern version of Homer's Odyssey: It's about two Dubliners who meet at the end of the book, but the plot is not the primary concern. The book breaks all stylistic conventions and is therefore difficult to read - how good that there is a summary of it!
8. Summary: 'Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift
The name is familiar, but that's why you haven't read it: Jonathan Swift tells the story of the doctor Gulliver, who goes on four sea voyages and ends up with a different, unknown people each time. Basically, the novel is a satirical work that takes aim at society and humanity in general.
9. Summary: 'Anna Karenina' by Leo Tolstoy
Along with War and Peace, Anna Karenina is one of the most famous works by the Russian Leo Tolstoy. Everything revolves around the adultery of the protagonist, who is ostracized by the nobility after an affair. The story ends with Anna's suicide, but more than 1000 pages have to be read before that happens - read the summary instead!
10. Summary: 'Odyssey' by Homer
Finally, one of the oldest and most important literary classics: Homer's Odyssey. She tells of Odysseus, who wants to travel home after the years-long Trojan War, but because he angers Poseidon, countless obstacles are put in his way. Only after ten years does he manage to return. You won't have to read as long and even shorter if you get the summary !
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What else might interest you:
- 20 books you must read as an academic
- Nonfiction summaries from Blinkist: now 20% off for students !
- Super price breaker: annual subscriptions to DIE ZEIT and FOCUS magazine with a student discount for just a few euros!
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Image sources: getabstract.com
... works that an academic knows!
