MetaChat - The Sorrows of Young Werther.

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02 October 2006

The Sorrows of Young Werther. In 1774, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote a book about a love-lorn man who kills himself. Such was the power of the book that supposedly over 2,000 readers committed suicide after reading it. The book was banned, and even now, clusters of copycat suicides are attributed to the Werther Effect.

This may be the most dangerous link I've ever posted, but you can read it (in the English translation) here.

post by: seanyboy at: 11:06 | 6 comments

*bang!*

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 02 October | 11:12

The name Werther made me think of yummy candies. Dare I read the book and destroy that happy association?

posted by Orange Swan 02 October | 11:18

The name Werther made me think of yummy candies.Dare I read the book and destroy that happy association?

Those candies are unbelievably sticky. They could yank your damned fillings out.

posted by jonmc 02 October | 11:25

I know better than to read that thing.

posted by JanetLand 02 October | 13:27

Interesting. I knew about the suicides related to Young Werther, but I had no idea this phenomenon has been given a name.

From what I've read, modelling one's life after that of a literary hero was quite popular in the Romantic era and Werther was one of many such role models.

posted by Daniel Charms 02 October | 15:11

I just hope somebody here posts a thorough spoiler, soon, so the more sensitive among us aren't moved beyond their abilities to help themselves, into doing something rash on first reading.

posted by paulsc 02 October | 19:43

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