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The Sorrows of Young Werther

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Goethe's explosive early novel of feeling: Werther falls in love with Lotte, who is promised to another man, and turns private longing into a literary event that swept Europe. A short, dangerous book about desire, self-dramatization, and the cost of making life answer to emotion.

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Chapters
  1. Chapter 1Preface
  2. Chapter 2May 4, 1771
  3. Chapter 3May 10, 1771
  4. Chapter 4May 12, 1771
  5. Chapter 5May 13, 1771
  6. Chapter 6May 15, 1771
  7. Chapter 7May 17, 1771
  8. Chapter 8May 22, 1771
  9. Chapter 9May 26, 1771
  10. Chapter 10May 27, 1771
  11. Chapter 11May 30, 1771
  12. Chapter 12June 16, 1771
  13. Chapter 13June 19, 1771
  14. Chapter 14June 21, 1771
  15. Chapter 15June 29, 1771
  16. Chapter 16July 1, 1771
  17. Chapter 17July 6, 1771
  18. Chapter 18July 8, 1771
  19. Chapter 19July 10, 1771
  20. Chapter 20July 11, 1771
  21. Chapter 21July 13, 1771
  22. Chapter 22July 16, 1771
  23. Chapter 23July 18, 1771
  24. Chapter 24July 19, 1771
  25. Chapter 25July 20, 1771
  26. Chapter 26July 24, 1771
  27. Chapter 27July 25, 1771
  28. Chapter 28July 26, 1771
  29. Chapter 29July 30, 1771
  30. Chapter 30August 8, 1771
  31. Chapter 31August 10, 1771
  32. Chapter 32August 12, 1771
  33. Chapter 33August 15, 1771
  34. Chapter 34August 18, 1771
  35. Chapter 35August 21, 1771
  36. Chapter 36August 22, 1771
  37. Chapter 37August 28, 1771
  38. Chapter 38August 30, 1771
  39. Chapter 39September 3, 1771
  40. Chapter 40September 10, 1771
  41. Chapter 41October 20, 1771
  42. Chapter 42December 24, 1771
  43. Chapter 43January 8, 1772
  44. Chapter 44January 20, 1772
  45. Chapter 45February 8, 1772
  46. Chapter 46February 17, 1772
  47. Chapter 47February 20, 1772
  48. Chapter 48March 15, 1772
  49. Chapter 49March 24, 1772
  50. Chapter 50April 19, 1772
  51. Chapter 51May 5, 1772
  52. Chapter 52May 9, 1772
  53. Chapter 53May 25, 1772
  54. Chapter 54June 11, 1772
  55. Chapter 55July 16, 1772
  56. Chapter 56July 18, 1772
  57. Chapter 57July 29, 1772
  58. Chapter 58August 4, 1772
  59. Chapter 59August 21, 1772
  60. Chapter 60September 3, 1772
  61. Chapter 61September 4, 1772
  62. Chapter 62September 5, 1772
  63. Chapter 63September 6, 1772
  64. Chapter 64September 12, 1772
  65. Chapter 65September 15, 1772
  66. Chapter 66October 10, 1772
  67. Chapter 67October 12, 1772
  68. Chapter 68October 19, 1772
  69. Chapter 69October 26, 1772
  70. Chapter 70October 27, 1772
  71. Chapter 71October 27 — Evening, 1772
  72. Chapter 72October 30, 1772
  73. Chapter 73November 3, 1772
  74. Chapter 74November 8, 1772
  75. Chapter 75November 15, 1772
  76. Chapter 76November 21, 1772
  77. Chapter 77November 22, 1772
  78. Chapter 78November 24, 1772
  79. Chapter 79November 26, 1772
  80. Chapter 80November 30, 1772
  81. Chapter 81December 1, 1772
  82. Chapter 82December 4, 1772
  83. Chapter 83December 6, 1772
  84. Chapter 84The Editor to the Reader

Preface

I have carefully collected whatever I have been able to learn of the story of poor Werther, and here present it to you, knowing that you will thank me for it. To his spirit and character you cannot refuse your admiration and love: to his fate you will not deny your tears.

And thou, good soul, who sufferest the same distress as he endured once, draw comfort from his sorrows; and let this little book be thy friend, if, owing to fortune or through thine own fault, thou canst not find a dearer companion.