The Runenberg

by Ludwig Tieck, Thomas Carlyle (Translator)

Ludwig Tieck's 'The Runenberg' is a captivating tale that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, weaving a narrative filled with rich symbolism and Gothic elements. The story follows a young man who ventures into the mysterious Runenberg mountain, where he encounters supernatural beings and undergoes a transformative journey of self-discovery. Tieck's prose is characterized by its lyrical and poetic style, reminiscent of German Romanticism, which adds depth and emotional resonance to the text. Through intricate descriptions and surreal imagery, Tieck creates a dreamlike atmosphere that draws readers into a world of magic and mystery. 'The Runenberg' stands as a seminal work in German literature, exploring themes of nature, spirituality, and the human psyche with profound insight and beauty. Fans of Romantic literature and fantastical tales will find 'The Runenberg' a captivating and thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Genres: German Literature, Classics, Fantasy, Fiction, Fairy Tales

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1804

About the author

Johann Ludwig Tieck was a German poet, translator, editor, novelist, and critic, who was part of the Romantic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Tieck's importance lay in the readiness with which he adapted himself to the new ideas which arose at the close of the 18th century, rather than in any conspicuous originality. His importance in German poetry is restricted to his early period. In later years it was as the helpful friend and adviser of others, or as the well-read critic of wide sympathies, that Tieck distinguished himself.

Tieck remained influential as dramatic adviser to the theatre at Dresden, and as an editor of Hans Sachs, Martin Opitz, Andreas Gryphius, and Daniel Casper von Lohenstein and of Heinrich von Kleist and Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz.

Tieck also influenced Richard Wagner's Tannhäuser. It was from Phantasus that Wagner based the idea of Tannhäuser going to see the pope and Elisabeth dying in the song battle.

Reviews

[Vit Babenco]

In the era of romanticism not all the adventures were romantic…
A young hunter is alone in the mountains… He has left home looking for the better life… So now he misses his native village and his former friends…

Unthinkingly, he pulled a straggling root from the earth; and on the instant, heard, with affright, a stifled moan underground, which winded downwards in doleful tones, and died plaintively away in the deep distance.

He flees in fear… And all sorts of miraculous things start occurring… The ruins of the ancient castle Runenberg lie ahead on the high hill…

Suddenly he saw a light, which seemed to move within the ruined edifice. He looked towards the gleam; and found that he could see into an ancient spacious hall, strangely decorated, and glittering in manifold splendour, with multitudes of precious stones and crystals, the hues of which played through each other in mysterious changes, as the light moved to and fro; and this was in the hand of a stately female, who kept walking with a thoughtful aspect up and down the apartment.

The next day he thinks it was only a dream… He finds a beautiful wife… Has children… Reunites with his father… He prospers… Life goes on… But the mysterious still keeps calling…

I might be altogether happy; but once, in a mysterious night, a secret sign was imprinted through my hand deep on my soul; frequently the magic figure sleeps and is at rest; I imagine it has passed away; but in a moment, like a poison, it darts up and lives over all its lineaments.

He who rises against nature becomes its enemy and gets defeated.

[Michael]

Die beiden ersten Märchen gelesen, der Rest wird im Laufe der Zeit mit der Lektüre der Werkausgabe nachgeholt.
Auf jeden Fall sehr interessant und sich ins Gedächtnis zurückzurufen, dass Tieck kein erledigter Fall der Literaturgeschichte ist. Die Schublade Romantik ist für diesen außergewöhnlichen Menschen doch gar zu eng, der mal klischeehaften Geschichtchen für´s liebe Brot schrieb, ein andermal Leser und Kritiker durch abgedrehte, schon modern anmutende Texte verwirrte (die dann im Zirkelschluß Tieck für den Verwirrt=Gestörten hielten).
Die Bewertung gilt nur für die beiden erste Märchen des Bandes, wobei DER RUNENBERG schon ein Beispiel dafür ist, wie schwierig die weißgott nicht volkstümlichen Tieckschen Märchen aufzufassen / zu deuten sind.

[Ransom Lester]

not me leaving my lovely wife and kids to chase an old hag and some rocks i dreamed about that one time

[ella solgaard]

Christian war von dem ersten Augenblick gecooked, als er die Bergfrau sah.

[Ostrava]

An elegant triumph. With rich prose and captivating cynicism, Tieck manages to disturb as well as astound you. Would recommend for those who love fairy tales.

[Orçun Güzer]

The only thing I can say about this tale that it has many layers and deserves a careful second reading (maybe an analysis?). Tieck’s prose is poetic and insightful; the tale is mysterious, eerie, sad and beautiful.

Towards the end of tale, Christian echoes not only his condition, rather, a general human condition :
"How have I lost my life as in a dream!"

[anna]

THIS NOVELLA IS SOOOO GOOD EVERYONE READ IT RN ITS SO PHILOSOPHICAL I LOVEEEE IT ITS MY FAVE THANK U NOSTALGIC BROWN CLASS

[Mia N]

Bruder wtf

[Charlie]

Schullektüre eben

[Walter Schutjens]

Too much a blend of morality tale and fairytale. Although I see how this got the literate excited back in the day.

[Lovely Fortune]

For my class on German Romanticism.

The texts in this class are very difficult, but they are interesting. There's definitely a religious bent to Tieck's short story here, which I thought was insightful. I have always found that conservation of the Earth is an admirable cause that Christians should find importance in. If we are willing to taint and harm God's greatest gift to us, what else are we willing to destroy? Humanity has tried to overpower nature for far too long instead of working alongside nature. Perhaps if we all took a moment to be in nature for longer than a day, we might understand the magnificence and beauty of nature.

[Kelby Alloway]

Die Alruuuuunenwurzel fand ich etwas lustig. Ich konnte das Buch mit einer ekokritischen Linse lesen, was es mir interessanter machte. Christian was driven mad by the realization of a coming industrial revolution and the coming murder of a planet and natural order he had hitherto never considered to be as fragile as it truly is. Why havent you also gone mad? You're living in it.

Also, the striptease in the crystal palace was cool.

[Tom]

2.75⭐

This 19th century German romantic -gothic short story tells the tale of Christian, a young man who leaves his family's home to seek adventure and find his own path in life. Christian is a nature lover, and his journey leads him into a mystical forest where he encounters strange and enchanting experiences.

One day, he meets a miner who tells him about a hidden treasure in the mountains, guarded by mysterious forces. Christian is drawn to this quest, but the forest itself seems to have a bewitching power over him, altering his perceptions and desires. He encounters a beautiful but eerie woman who further entangles him in the supernatural world of the Runenberg.

Eventually, Christian returns home, but he is forever changed by his experiences in the forest. He finds it difficult to reconcile his past life with the new, haunting memories of the Runenberg. This novella explores themes of nature, the supernatural, and the quest for self-discovery.

[merle]

musste über den runenberg ZWEI(!!!) seminarsitzungen leiten und es war schrecklich, meistens hat meine dozentin übernommen, weil sie bemerkt hat wie maßlos überfordert ich war. außerdem ist das dargestellte frauenbild unglaublich misogyn und dementsprechend unangenehm zu lesen war diese erzählung

[meg]

writing an essay on this🤩🔫

[Lumine A]

2.5⭐️

[Angi]

kurz aber sehr detailliert (nicht unbedingt gut gemeint). würde ich nicht empfehlen. eine zusammenfassung würde reichen

[Christian]

Romantisch...

[raspberriesdarling]

Relativ einfach zu lesen und verstehen, im Gegensatz zu anderen Novellen aus dieser Zeit. Aber wtf.

[Felix]

Noch nie in meinem Leben sowas sinnloses gelesen

[Mika]

Read it as a part of an Assingment, it's okay, if you like the Era that Ludwig Tick wrote this book in, its really gold, but outside of that ... idk

[Ayla]

Nichts verstanden

[Molly Mynte]

honestly kom der nogle sjove tysktimer ud af det her, derfor ikke alt for slemt imo

[Aang Shih]

ok it was a bit kitschy but still a nice read

[Benjamin]

It's pretty good, but the meaning is not clear to me.
The language itself (I read it in German) is beautiful.

[Jared Jay]

Es war etwas nervig

[Ninke]

Ich musste dieses Buch für die Schule lesen und ich muss ehrlich sagen, dass ich es gar nicht mal so schlecht fand. Es war unterhaltend und dafür das es schon älter ist vom Schreibstil weder zu abgehakt noch zu komplex. Empfehlen kann ich, während des Lesens das Hörbuch zu hören, da es das Lesen nochmal deutlich erleichtert und man die Geschichte mehr genießen kann.