Gottfried Keller is an important Swiss writer and poet of the 19th century, born on 19 July 1819 in Zurich. He is best known for his realistic stories and novels, which often focus on bourgeois life and social change in Switzerland. Keller grew up as the son of a carpenter and lost his father at a young age. These early difficulties characterised his life and his literary works. One of his best-known works is the novel cycle ‘The People of Seldwyla’, a collection of novellas describing the life and idiosyncrasies of the inhabitants of a fictitious Swiss town.
Gottfried Keller died in Zurich on 15 July 1890. His literary legacy is one of the classics of Swiss and German literary history.

Clothes Make the Man
‘Clothes Make the Man’ is a well-known novella by the Swiss writer Gottfried Keller, which was first published in 1874. The story is part of Keller's novella cycle ‘The People of Seldwyla’ and thematises the power of external appearances and social prejudices. The plot revolves around Wenzel Strapinski, a poor journeyman tailor who is mistaken for a rich count due to his well-groomed appearance and fine clothes. While travelling in a carriage, he is taken to the small town of Goldach, where the inhabitants immediately treat him as a nobleman due to his distinguished appearance. Strapinski reluctantly plays along, driven by the fear that his true identity could get him into trouble. Strapinski quickly becomes a popular figure in Goldach. He is invited to various social events and falls in love with Nettchen, the daughter of the respected local councillor. Despite his guilty conscience, Strapinski enjoys the benefits of his new status. The situation escalates when Strapinski and Nettchen become engaged and the wedding is planned. ‘Clothes make the man’ is a critical examination of the superficiality of society.

Romeo and Juliet of the village
‘Romeo and Juliet of the Village’ is a novella by Gottfried Keller that was published in 1856. The story is part of Keller's novella cycle ‘The People of Seldwyla’. The story is a tragic love story inspired by Shakespeare's ‘Romeo and Juliet’, but set in a rural Swiss setting. The plot begins with the introduction of two farming families, the Martis and the Manz, who were once good neighbours and friends. However, a small land dispute quickly develops into deep enmity between the two families. In the midst of this tense atmosphere, the children of the feuding families grow up. As teenagers, they meet by chance in the fields and immediately fall in love. Their love grows in secret, as they know that their families will never agree to a union. Gottfried Keller uses the love story of Vrenchen and Sali to raise questions about responsibility towards the next generation and the devastating effects of unyielding pride and hatred.
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Our books by Gottfried Keller | ||
Clothes Make the Man | ebook: 978-3-7592-3386-8 | Print: 978-3-7592-3387-5 |
Romeo and Juliet of the Village | ebook: 978-3-7592-3388-2 | Print: 978-3-7592-3389-9 |