Das Erdbeben in Chili
Das Erdbeben in Chili
Book Brief
Beta32
Short Story • Fiction
•
Historical Fiction•
EducationSantiago, Chile • 1640s
•
World History1981
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In "Das Erdbeben in Chili," Heinrich von Kleist tells the story of people experiencing a devastating earthquake in 17th-century Santiago, Chile. The narrative follows their struggles for survival and explores themes of fate, societal judgment, and human resilience in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
1,645 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Das Erdbeben in Chili is lauded for its intense exploration of human emotion amid chaos. Critics praise Kleist's adept portrayal of moral ambiguity and societal critique. However, some find the narrative overly tragic and the character development lacking depth. The novella's pacing and evocative imagery keep readers engaged despite its darker themes.
Who Should Read Das Erdbeben in Chili?
A reader who enjoys Das Erdbeben in Chili would appreciate intense, dramatic narratives and philosophical exploration akin to Camus' The Plague. This work suits those intrigued by moral dilemmas, the unpredictability of fate, and early 19th-century literature with a focus on human nature's complexities.
1,645 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Heinrich von Kleist's novella Das Erdbeben in Chili was first published in 1807 in the literary journal Phöbus, which Kleist co-founded with Adam Heinrich Müller.
The story utilizes Kleist's characteristic style, which combines intense emotion and stark realism, a hallmark of his later work that solidified his reputation as a significant figure in German literature.
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Kleist uses the novella as a platform to explore the themes of fate and divine intervention, reflecting his contemporary era's philosophical debates regarding Enlightenment ideas.
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32
Short Story • Fiction
•
Historical Fiction•
EducationSantiago, Chile • 1640s
•
World History1981
Adult
18+ years
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