Wrote in German · 1788–1857
Joseph Eichendorff
One book in German, with the English translation beside it.
Joseph Karl Benedikt Freiherr von Eichendorff was a German poet, novelist, and playwright born in 1788 at Lubowitz Castle in Upper Silesia, then part of the Kingdom of Prussia. He died in 1857 in Nysa. A central figure of German Romanticism, he wrote in German and produced works that remain popular in German-speaking Europe. His writing is characterized by a blend of dream world and realism, often featuring themes of wanderlust and love. He is considered one of the major writers and critics of the Romantic movement, with a style that combines the purity of folk song and fairy tale elements.
Eichendorff first became famous for his 1826 novella Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts and his poems, many of which were published as integral parts of his stories. The protagonist of his novella, the son of a miller, rejects his father's trade and falls in love, eventually escaping to Italy before returning to find his social status has changed. His works personify a love of nature and an obsession with hiking. He also wrote diaries from a young age, which provide insights into his development as a writer. His literary legacy includes significant contributions to Romantic literature, influencing readers with his lyrical and narrative prose.
Reading Joseph Eichendorff to learn German
On Paralelo, you will read Joseph Eichendorff in the original German with the English translation aligned phrase by phrase. His prose in Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts is accessible, blending narrative description with lyrical moments, as the text includes many poems performed by characters. The vocabulary is rooted in Romantic themes of nature and travel, which may feel familiar if you enjoy travel literature. The sentence structure is generally clear, making it suitable for intermediate learners. This novella is the shortest and best first read in our catalogue, taking about 144 minutes to complete. Its combination of dream world and realism offers a gentle introduction to Eichendorff’s style, allowing you to appreciate his focus on wanderlust and love while building your German reading skills effectively.
Profile written with AI from Wikipedia and Wikidata · Biography: Wikipedia · Portrait: Wikimedia Commons
- Born
- 1788Castle Lubowitz
- Died
- 1857Nysa
- Wrote in
- German
- On Paralelo
- 1 title
- Shortest read
- 144 minAus dem Leben eines Taugenichts
Where to start with Joseph Eichendorff
- 01
Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts
"Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts: Novelle" by Freiherr von Joseph Eichendorff is a novella completed in 1822/23 and first published in 1826.
Read a passage free →DE · PASSAGEDa tanzt sie nun, dacht ich in dem Baume droben bei mir selber, und hat gewiß lange dich und deine Blumen wieder vergessen.
ENThere she dances now, I thought up in the tree to myself, and has certainly long forgotten you and your flowers again.
Reading Joseph Eichendorff in German
Which Joseph Eichendorff book should I read first?
Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts, the one Joseph Eichendorff title on Paralelo: about 144 minutes of reading.
Can I read Joseph Eichendorff in German with the English translation beside it for free?
Yes. A passage from every title is free to read without an account, and a free account opens the whole book, with the English translation aligned to the original phrase by phrase.
Are the books by Joseph Eichendorff in the public domain?
Yes. Joseph Eichendorff died in 1857, and the texts on Paralelo come from Project Gutenberg’s public-domain editions.