Der verlorene Frühling. Die Geschichte von Louise Cotih und Hannes Bühn, der zum Barrikadenbauer wur

by Dietlof Reiche

Die Revolution führt Hannes und Louise zusammen. Frankfurt 1848: In der Paulskirche tagt die Nationalversammlung. Der Lokomotivheizer Hannes Bühn fängt an, sich für Politik zun interessieren. Die Erzieherin Louise Coith beschließt, endlich eine politische Versammlung zu besuchen. Und hier treffen Hannes und Louise zusammen. Ihre unterschiedliche Herkunft macht es ihnen schwer, zueinanderzufinden. Aber sie verlieben sich ineinander und überwinden die gesellschaftlichen Schranken. Währenddessen spitzt sich die politische Entwicklung dramatisch zu. Und am 18. September 1848 steht Hannes Bühn, der sich eigentlich aus allem raushalten wollte, dann doch auf den Barrikaden und kämpft gegen das preußische und östereichische Militär.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Amazon Germany, the one featured review of Dietlof Reiche's historical fiction novel about the (sadly unsuccessful) 1848 Revolution (Der verlorene Frühling, The Lost Spring) claims that the novel is suitable for readers above the age of eleven or twelve (as well as for interested adults). However and in my opinion, I would personally actually consider eleven and twelve year olds as still probably being not quite mature and ready enough both reading capability (and appreciation) wise for Der verlorene Frühling, and not so much because Der verlorene Frühling contains themes and historical details that are inappropriate for eleven or twelve rear olds to experience and handle (albeit that there certainly are historically accurate episodes of political violence presented and depicted as well the many work related dangers and threats that in particular manual labourers generally had to endure and face on a day to day basis) but more so because in Der verlorene Frühling, Dietlof Reiche presents his narrative in an often densely thick with information writing style full of textbook like historical and social details on 19th century German life (including the many philosophical and political streams that precipitated the 1848 Revolution attempt, as well as what ultimately caused it to fail), a truly and wonderfully, massively informative and educational novel about the 1848 Revolution, but indeed, Der verlorene Frühling is also a majorly complex and at times even convoluted and confusing story, especially since the two main protagonists hail from different social strata (and that while Hannes and Louise both believe in and want democracy, their different backgrounds make both their love for one another and their similar political goals difficult if not impossible).

For yes, solidarity and love do seem to become more and increasingly difficult for Hannes and Louise primarily because they have such different backgrounds, with Louise as the daughter of a professor definitely sometimes even being regarded with more than a bit of suspicion by Hannes and the other labourers intent on having the revolution work and their political and social demands for change be met. Thus in Der verlorene Frühling Hannes' and Louise's passion and companionship, this does unfortunately not last due to their differences culture, life story, education and social status, mirroring the fact that the many different philosophical and political ideas and conflicts even amongst so-called allies with a similar goal of wanting republicanism and democracy, also did end up making the 1848 Revolution a definite starting point but still at that time ultimately unsuccessful, with too much infighting to create lasting success and democratic ideals for all.