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Italian Journey: 1786-1788 (Penguin Classics) Paperback – Illustrated, December 1, 1992

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Author), W. H. Auden (Translator), Elizabeth Mayer (Translator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 88 ratings
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Goethe's account of his passage through Italy from 1786 to 1788 is a great travel chronicle as well as a candid self-portrait of a genius in the grip of spiritual crisis.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    512 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Classics
  4. Publication date
    December 1, 1992
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    7.78 x 5.16 x 0.93 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0140442332
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0140442335
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfurt-on-Main in 1749. He studied at Leipzig, where he showed interest in the occult, and at Strassburg, where Herder introduced him to Shakespeare’s works and to folk poetry. He produced some essays and lyrical verse, and at twenty-two wrote Götz von Berlichingen, a play which brought him national fame and established him in the current Sturm und Drang movement. This was followed by the novel The Sorrows of Young Werther in 1774, which was an even greater success.

Goethe began work on Faust, and Egmont, another tragedy before being invited to join the government of Weimar. His interest in the classical world led him to leave suddenly for Italy in 1786 and the Italian Journey recounts his travels there. Iphigenia in Tauris and Torquato Tasso, classical dramas, were written at this time. Returning to Weimar, Goethe started the second part of Faust, encouraged by Schiller. In 1806 he married Christiane Vulpius. During this late period he finished his series of Wilhelm Master books and wrote many other works, including The Oriental Divan (1819). He also directed the State Theatre and worked on scientific theories in evolutionary botany, anatomy and color. Goethe completed Faust in 1832, just before he died.
W.H. Auden was born in 1907 and went to Oxford University, where he became Professor of Poetry from 1956 to 1960. After the publication of his Poems in 1930, he became the acknowledged leader of the 'thirties poets'. His poetic output was prolific, and he also wrote verse plays in collaboration with Christopher Isherwood, with whom he visited china. In 1946 he became a U.S. citizen. He died in 1973.
Elizabeth Mayer was born in Mecklengurg in 1884 and emigrated to the U.S. in 1936. In collaboration with Louise Blogan she translated Werther and Elective Affinities

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics; Reissue edition (December 1, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140442332
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140442335
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.78 x 5.16 x 0.93 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 88 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
88 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Beppeprimo
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for the Italophile
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful, if occasionally gossipy, travelogue and cultural commentary on Goethe's 2-year stint in Italy hobnobbing with the glitteratti of the day. It covers virtually every principal region, including Sicily, and many of its cultural treasures,often in granular detail. Although more than two centuries have passed, it's remarkable how little so many things have changed. The beautiful prose in translation is wonderful. Whether planning a first trip or a twentieth, this is a must-read. One of Goethe's most enduring truisms: "To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the key to everything." Amen
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Carlos A. Padilla
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful tour of Italy
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2016
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I just came back from a trip to Italy, completely in love with it, the food, the people, churches, museums, famous cities, and I bought this book as a way to prolong my italian adventure. I am enjoying his descriptions so much, that I am already planning my return trip and including the things and places he describes in this book. It would be wonderful to be able to just travel, with no plans, no reservations, no timetables.

The descriptions of the places and the people that the author meet during his journeys are very beautiful and very detailed. It is a very easy to read book and a very entertaining one. Venice, Rome, Naples and Sicily are beautifully described for you. Enjoy the virtual tour.
3 people found this helpful
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Neri
5.0 out of 5 stars Goethe's Italian Travel Journal
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2007
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Goethe went on a somewhat spontaneous (long thought about - but left with little notification to employer or relations and a surprise to himself it seemed) journey to Italy to reignite or find his passion, his muse. He never quite recaptured his creative impulse to the standard of his expecations after writing the book that shot him into international superstardom "The Sorrows of Young Werther" and he wanted to be with young artists in Italy and incognito to reignite his muse (although the forward suggests something quite different may have been responsible for igniting his muse which his journal only hints at). The success of Werther might have left an almost stiffling weight on his creativity and his journal also discusses situations where he has to get past the legacy of Werther on his creative process, just through the sheer weight what people want to talk about and identify him with. After Goethe came from his Italian journey he did go on to complete many works, or revise ones in progress, and further his artistic gifts to mankind; also completing at least one while in Italy.

Following along with the help of the internet probably made this book more interesting: getting easy access to pictures and the obscure references made to this or that. Goethe also came across some amusing people as well. Goethe's insights and observations are of course quality but it is also remarkable how normal he was and susceptible to the same sorts of sentiments and feelings, prejudices as most have. I think his notions about dolphins would have changed if he were alive now. It also takes one to a different time and place and takes one, I think, into the mind of a great genius at rest.

The 10 pages on the the relationship of Goethe's favorite Saint Filippo Neri and Pope Clement VIII is worth the price of the book.
8 people found this helpful
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taylor storey
4.0 out of 5 stars Inspired Thoreau and Emerson... Like Walden but not quite as good
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2014
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Excellent book. But specific. I'm not sure I've met anybody I would recommend this book to. It's a lot like Thoreau's Walden, but less directly philosophical/quotable. Like Walden, there's a lot of stuff to weed through that is not immediately interesting. Lots of notes about the topography of the land from Germany to Italy. Very readable though, he doesn't use big words (maybe because it is translated from German?).

Like Walden, this is Goethe's summary of a 2 year trip where he left to confront the essential facts of life. To live deliberately.

Probably my favorite quote from the book is the following:

"Now let me also say that a thousand times, ay, at all times, do I think of you in the neighborhood of these objects which I never believed I should visit alone. It was only when I saw every one bound, body and soul, to the north, and all longing for those countries utterly extinct among them, that I resolved to undertake the long solitary journey, and to seek that centre toward which I was attracted by an irresistible impulse….Friends and country have once more become right dear to me, and the return to them is a wished-for object…I feel convinced that I bring with me too many treasures for personal enjoyment for private use, but such as through life may serve others, as well as myself, for edification and guidance."

Maybe if you're on some kind of Walden/Italian Journey esque part of your life, I'd recommend it. Or if you want to go further into what inspired those New England Transcendentalists. That's why I read it.

Lots of notes on art criticism here, some unexpected notes on Goethe's protestantism, I am compelled by many of his comments when he is in both the Italian catholic settings and nature.

Since I've finished this one, I've begun The Sorrows of Young Werther, which is what Goethe wrote as a 24 year old that propelled him into fame. Napoleon carried it in his coat when he was conquering nations! Thomas Carlyle called it a perfect tragedy I believe. Carlyle said the sequel, Wilhelm Meister's apprenticeship, was the best expression of humanity he knew of. Werther is a novel that most people agree is pretty autobiographical. More interesting than Italian Journey probably, and shorter.
2 people found this helpful
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Phil Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars Italian Journey: Goethe
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2019
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This is a very readable account of Goethe's 2-year escape to Italy. Goethe without tears. Unlike most of his writings, this feels very modern and accessible, translating well.
2 people found this helpful
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Jeffrey Huntington
5.0 out of 5 stars Most famous tourist
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2019
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This is the famous account of Goethe's 1786 trip to Italy and Sicily, in English. Fairly candid, though perhaps not about his romantic encounters.
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charles m johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars delivered on time
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2020
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product as described...
One person found this helpful
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Renate Homa
5.0 out of 5 stars It was very comfortable to order the book
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2015
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It was very comfortable to order the book, and it arrived very soon at the address. The translation is perfect for the reader.
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read
Reviewed in Canada on December 12, 2022
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Goethe is best remembered for serious work so the style of this travel book is a pleasant surprise. It was written nearly 240 years ago and the excellent translation is about 100 years ago but fresh and easy to read. Fun to know that in some ways travel does not change. He misses home but is fascinated and delighted by the long-anticipated trip and notices everything, the country, architecture people, customs and the art he loves. He is excited to see the sea for the first time and collects shells and rocks and plant specimens and at the end has bought too many souvenirs, including gifts for his friends and their children. Excellent description of Marxism Gras. A great book for people who love Italy.
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Justyna
3.0 out of 5 stars A little bit damaged cover
Reviewed in Poland on December 22, 2022
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My book has a few tiny damages. I would normally let it pass, however it's going to be a gift. I paid a lot for this, so I expected it to be an excellent quality. Anyways, the shipping before Christmas was very fast, so I'll give 3 stars out of 5.
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Justyna
3.0 out of 5 stars A little bit damaged cover
Reviewed in Poland on December 22, 2022
My book has a few tiny damages. I would normally let it pass, however it's going to be a gift. I paid a lot for this, so I expected it to be an excellent quality. Anyways, the shipping before Christmas was very fast, so I'll give 3 stars out of 5.
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christopher moss
5.0 out of 5 stars good holiday read
Reviewed in Germany on June 3, 2022
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especially if you go to italy
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Dsf
5.0 out of 5 stars poet, philosopher, genius
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2011
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Goethe is one of the towering figures of European civilization.

This description of his Wanderjahre in Italy serves as an excellent introduction for those about to embark on Goethe's Roemische Elegien - and reminds one that he possessed one of the most penetrating intellects of all times.
2 people found this helpful
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M. Pacitti
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2017
Verified Purchase
Very happy with the condition of this book and it's a keeper
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