About this ebook
"Martin Salander" is both the title of a family and historical novel by Gottfried Keller, published in 1886. This final work by the author is a candid critique of conditions in his own country and beyond. It follows Martin, a poor idealist, as he navigates life ethically, which is a reflection of Keller's hope for a compassionate family life as an image for a free Switzerland. The idealistic but credulous and naive protagonist returns to his Swiss homeland after a lengthy stay in Brazil, achieving prosperity as a merchant and engaging in political activities. yet, he witnesses how the unchecked pursuit of social advancement leads many contemporaries into fraud and embezzlement, resulting in him and his family becoming victims of such schemes. His hope that people, endowed with political rights in their country, would interact more responsibly with each other is bitterly disappointed, leading him to hand over the management of his business to his pragmatic son by the novel's end. One can compare this novel to Dosteovsky's "The Idiot". Martin Salander, the main character, arrives in the Swiss town of Münsterburg, where he is immediately struck by the changes that have taken place during his absence. The story begins with his observations of the new, unfamiliar streets and buildings, which symbolize both progress and the passage of time. Salander's journey through the city is marked by a mixture of nostalgia and disorientation, showing his internal struggle to reconcile his past with the present. As Salander makes her way to reunite with her family, she encounters old acquaintances and shows on her past experiences. His interactions reveal the structure of his relationships and the questions he faces in reconnecting with his wife and children after a long separation. The story delves into themes of financial ruin and personal redemption as Salander recounts the misfortunes that led him to leave Switzerland and his efforts to rebuild his life in Brazil. His return is bittersweet, marked by a mixture of hope and fear for the future. In his later work, Gottfried Keller undertook an experiment on multiple fronts. He engaged with modern history more directly than in any of his previous works and ventured into new formal pathways by attempting to minimize the use of an authoritative narrator. Despite varying reception, the novel held norm setting power for many later Swiss writers. Keller's story is rich with social commentary, showing the economic and social changes in Swiss society. Through Salander's viewpoint, the novel critiques the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals and communities in the face of progress and modernization. This edition pairs a modern translation of Martin Salander with supporting material that situates Keller historically and intellectually. Nietzsche considered Keller to be one of the greatest living poets of his time. yet, his works are rarely found in other languages, so most people today are unaware of who he was or why he was major. For Martin Salander, Keller's German prose is rendered in readable modern English and placed within its wider intellectual context. The translation of Martin Salander works directly from Keller's manuscripts and this new translation delivers literary excellence and scholarly depth with supporting materials. This presentation of Martin Salander adds an afterword tracing Keller's intellectual relationship with Nietzsche, revealing the detailed dialogue between two of the period's most influential minds. The supporting chronology for Martin Salander connects the major events of Keller's life with his published works, and a detailed index provides an guide to his complete writings.
"Martin Salander" is both the title of a family and historical novel by Gottfried Keller, published in 1886. This final work by the author is a candid critique of conditions in his own country and beyond. It follows Martin, a poor idealist, as he navigates life ethically, which is a reflection of...
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About the author
Gottfried Keller (1819 to 1890) was a Swiss poet, novelist, and short story writer who also served as a public official in Zurich. His best known books include Green Henry and the story cycle The People of Seldwyla, alongside poetry, diaries, letters, and political prose.
Gottfried Keller (1819 to 1890) was a Swiss poet, novelist, and short story writer who also served as a public official in Zurich. His best known books include Green Henry and the story cycle The People of Seldwyla, alongside poetry, diaries, letters, and political prose.
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