Conversations of Goethe by Johann Peter Goethe
It is a delightful book. I cannot help giving this book five stars (This feels weird, though, to give such books stars).
I like every page of the book. Right at the beginning, Eckermann writes about his impoverished childhood and his realization that he is gifted.
Later in the Book, we learn how he gets in touch with Goethe. The book is written in the form of journal entries. He meets Goethe often and they talk about other writers, books, and so forth. These are indeed delightful moments. Eckermann's fascination with Goethe is absolute. He sees a lot in him; sometimes it feels like Goethe resides inside him.
It is also wonderful to read about Jena, Weimar and such small historical towns of Germany. No matter where one lives in the world, one is drawn to the world that Eckermann describes. I feel nostalgic about the place, and those meetings where the young meet the established. Eckermann's meetings with Goethe are full of warmth. I loved listening to their talks.
I am also inclined to read more about Goethe after I finished reading this book. Although he is known for his love for women, there is enough about him in his own words, and in the words of others, which indicate his same-sex leanings. Throughout his life, even though he loved women, he never gave himself to anyone – including his first love. However, he always had great male friends. For instance, the Duke of Weimar was really enchanted with him, and he with the Duke. They would spend a lot of time together hunting. Their bonding was so strong that it had annoyed the ministers in the Duke's staff considerably, as if the young poet had the potential to taint their Duke. He lived the better part of his life in Weimar against the wishes of his father. I wonder if anyone researched about his male friends such as with the Duke of Weimar.
However, I am not at all suggesting that Goethe relationship with Eckermann was homosexual, not at all. It is very clear that Eckermann admires Goethe for his work. He probably feels complete in Goethe's company. What fascinates me about the book is how Goethe emerges in the book. Coming back to Goethe's same-sex leanings, it is interesting to note that how much Goethe admired Winkelmann, and often in the book, he speaks very highly of Lord Byron. In fact, Byron had met Goethe on several occasions. As for Winkelmann, after living in Italy for several years when he travelled back to Germany, Goethe as a young man was on cloud nine and waited for him with the enthusiasm of a lover (that is how Walter Pater wrote about Goethe and Winkelmann in his wonderful book 'The Renaissance').
The book is written in a wonderful language. There is nothing in the words that sounds dated. One thing I would like to do soon is to go and see Weimar. I admire Eckermann's sensibility. The book is as much about Goethe as it is about Eckermann. Admiring someone else for his/ her talent is often about the admirer.
I like every page of the book. Right at the beginning, Eckermann writes about his impoverished childhood and his realization that he is gifted.
Later in the Book, we learn how he gets in touch with Goethe. The book is written in the form of journal entries. He meets Goethe often and they talk about other writers, books, and so forth. These are indeed delightful moments. Eckermann's fascination with Goethe is absolute. He sees a lot in him; sometimes it feels like Goethe resides inside him.
It is also wonderful to read about Jena, Weimar and such small historical towns of Germany. No matter where one lives in the world, one is drawn to the world that Eckermann describes. I feel nostalgic about the place, and those meetings where the young meet the established. Eckermann's meetings with Goethe are full of warmth. I loved listening to their talks.
I am also inclined to read more about Goethe after I finished reading this book. Although he is known for his love for women, there is enough about him in his own words, and in the words of others, which indicate his same-sex leanings. Throughout his life, even though he loved women, he never gave himself to anyone – including his first love. However, he always had great male friends. For instance, the Duke of Weimar was really enchanted with him, and he with the Duke. They would spend a lot of time together hunting. Their bonding was so strong that it had annoyed the ministers in the Duke's staff considerably, as if the young poet had the potential to taint their Duke. He lived the better part of his life in Weimar against the wishes of his father. I wonder if anyone researched about his male friends such as with the Duke of Weimar.
However, I am not at all suggesting that Goethe relationship with Eckermann was homosexual, not at all. It is very clear that Eckermann admires Goethe for his work. He probably feels complete in Goethe's company. What fascinates me about the book is how Goethe emerges in the book. Coming back to Goethe's same-sex leanings, it is interesting to note that how much Goethe admired Winkelmann, and often in the book, he speaks very highly of Lord Byron. In fact, Byron had met Goethe on several occasions. As for Winkelmann, after living in Italy for several years when he travelled back to Germany, Goethe as a young man was on cloud nine and waited for him with the enthusiasm of a lover (that is how Walter Pater wrote about Goethe and Winkelmann in his wonderful book 'The Renaissance').
The book is written in a wonderful language. There is nothing in the words that sounds dated. One thing I would like to do soon is to go and see Weimar. I admire Eckermann's sensibility. The book is as much about Goethe as it is about Eckermann. Admiring someone else for his/ her talent is often about the admirer.
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