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Start your review of Max und Moritz. Eine Bubengeschichte in sieben Streichen
Nov 10, 2018 Manny rated it liked it
In this charming and wittily written German children's classic, we meet Max and Moritz, a pair of appalling boys who, it soon becomes clear, the world would be much better off without. The pair indeed get their
just desserts in the last chapter, when they are efficiently ground up by the miller and fed to his ducks.
In this charming and wittily written German children's classic, we meet Max and Moritz, a pair of appalling boys who, it soon becomes clear, the world would be much better off without. The pair indeed get their just desserts in the last chapter, when they are efficiently ground up by the miller and fed to his ducks.
...more
Wilhelm Busch's Max und Moritz (not only an enduring and popular children's literature classic that is still in current print in Germany after more than 150 years, but is also considered amongst the
forerunners of the comic book and thus of course the graphic novel), presents with rollicking rhyming verses (accompanied by the author's vivid, often outrageously intense illustrations) the nasty pranks of two young boys and their final (and in my humble opinion) more than well-deserved fateful demi Wilhelm Busch's Max und Moritz (not only an enduring and popular children's literature classic that is still in current print in Germany after
more than 150 years, but is also considered amongst the forerunners of the comic book and thus of course the graphic novel), presents with rollicking rhyming verses (accompanied by the author's vivid, often outrageously intense illustrations) the nasty pranks of two young boys and their final (and in my humble opinion) more than well-deserved fateful demise (for the presented and depicted pranks are, one and all, not merely mischievous, they are inherently destructive and imbued with
viciousness, with violence for simply its own sake, or at the very least, they do tend give rise to the latter, in other words, Max and Moritz do not simply engage in practical jokes and destructive pranks, their antics also seem to all too often engender more of the same by both them and others). Now personally, while Wilhelm Busch, much like his contemporary Heinrich Hoffmann (of However, while in Hoffmann's Now I have always found it rather strangely problematic that especially many literary theorists and critics seem to be of the opinion that the end of And it is therefore also both more than a bit facile and lazily convenient to claim that Max and Moritz are simply and for the most part either symptoms or victims of an authoritative society, and that both antagonists are present in Due to the graphic content and nature of With regard to the text of And now finally (and yes, I do mean finally),
May 09, 2014 Liam Porter rated it really liked it
Wortschatz zum Deutschlernen zum Guten zu
bekehren - to be converted to good behaviour zum Guten zu bekehren - to be converted to good behaviour
necken - to tease
die Zwetschge - plum
abmalen - depicted
der Streich - prank
das Federvieh - poultry
Einesteils - "Firstly"
das Pfühle - pillow, same as Kissen
geschwinde - rapidly
sich schneiden - intersect
entzwei - in two, asunder
munter - energetic/ally
sich beseinnen - reflect
sich reißen - struggled (?)
dürr - scraggly
der Ast - bough
bang - afraid
ahnungsvoll - full of foreboding
der Graus
- horror
betrübt - afflicted
nien
necken - to tease
die Zwetschge - plum
abmalen - depicted
der Streich - prank
das Federvieh - poultry
Einesteils - "Firstly"
das Pfühle - pillow, same as Kissen
geschwinde - rapidly
sich schneiden - intersect
entzwei - in two, asunder
munter - energetic/ally
sich beseinnen -
reflect
sich reißen - struggled (?)
dürr - scraggly
der Ast - bough
bang - afraid
ahnungsvoll - full of foreboding
der Graus - horror
betrübt - afflicted
nienieden - the aforementioned
verzehren - consume
abrufen - demand
scharren - scrabble
der Schornstein - chimneypot
schmurgeln - to fry
lieblich - delightfully
schwärmen - enthuse
Spitz - common name for a dog
bei der Sache (tätig) sein - to concentrate on the matter (actively)
angewurzelt
- glued to the spot
das Ungetüm - monster
im Verstecke [m] - stuffed
die Hecke - hedge
Fräcke [m] - jacket (pl)
Westen [f] - waistcoat (pl)
Gamaschen [f] - gaiters
flicken - patch up
anstücken - clip on
einerlei - whatever it may be
verdrießlich - annoyed
das Gebrause - shower (Brause)
träge - lethargic
die Tücke - deceit
Zeigenböcke [m] - billy-goats (pl)
die Elle - a cubit, also the measuring rod of this length
die Schwelle -
threshold
Todeshast - the hastiness of nearing death
krampfhaft - desperately
Magendrücken - stomach cramps
das Bügeleisen - flat-iron
achtgeben auf etwas - pay attention to
unverdrossen - undaunted
der Possen - antics
angreifen - molest (?)
bieder - honest
Buben - scoundrels
sich schlichen - slink off
Stuben - rooms
Meerschaumpfeife - elegant pipe
lenken - steer, direct
das Getöse - boom
das Tintenfaß - inkwell
abkriegen - to get something out
of something
Mohren - Moors
der Schopf - tuft of hair
vermehren - increase
der Fidibus - paper firelighters
dienstbeflissen - officious
die Prise - pinch
ist bedacht - anxious to do something
das Krabbeltier - bug
sausen - rush
das Genicke - nape of the neck
das Gebrumm - buzzing
hauen - clobber
der Teig - dough
das Jammerbild - a pitiable sight
der Glut - the glow
perdü - "a goner"
wehe euch - woeful for you
das Getreide - cereals
das
Lumpenpack - the good for nothings
mahlen - grind
der Trichter - funnel
die Böserichter - the wrong-doers
verzehren - be eaten us
angehen - to address
Please note this is a review of an uncorrected proof. I'm a big fan of fairy tales, lullabies, myths, legends.. ok you get the point. I am even more
drawn to the creepy and obscure ones like the true Grimm Tales. Seeing the synopsis for this one immediately intrigued me. I visited Germany and adored their culture and history (especially the food) and just couldn't resist reviewing this original German literature in English translation. This is exactly what dark children's humor is about. Mischie This is exactly what dark children's humor is about. Mischievous children doing dastardly deeds and in the end paying in some horrendous way for what
they have done. Of course many parents these days would abhor something like this for their precious little ones but as adults we can see the humor, hear the lesson and appreciate the history behind something of this nature. I also appreciated the inclusion of the original German text and doubly enjoyed the explanation of the translation in the end. It was nice to see what went behind turning this piece into something I was able to appreciate. Special thank you to the author,
NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to review this for an honest review.
These children are psychopaths.
My husband has a German copy of this book, but it was a bit long to ask for his translation. Fortunately I was able to read it in English at
//www.childrensbooksonline.org/m... All I can say is it's one gruesome cautionary tale. Max and Moritz get into all sorts of trouble that would put today's kids into juvenile detention--they put dynamite in a teacher's pipe, kill the neighbor's chickens (in a terrible way!), and are baked inside some dough while trying to steal pretzels (but somehow are All I can say is it's one gruesome cautionary tale. Max and Moritz get into all sorts of trouble that would put today's kids into juvenile detention--they put
dynamite in a teacher's pipe, kill the neighbor's chickens (in a terrible way!), and are baked inside some dough while trying to steal pretzels (but somehow are able to eat their way out). A frustrated farmer finally exacts revenge in what, to me, was a surprising and horrible end. I think it's worth reading just for the shock value! They definitely don't make children's stories like this anymore. My husband has good memories of this book though, and remembers his grandfather calling him
and his cousins Max und Moritz when they were making trouble.
May 30, 2013 Malia rated it really liked it
This takes me back...my grandmother used to read these stories to me when I was little and growing up in Germany. The stories, as seems to be the norm for the tales of German childhood, are often a
bit on the gruesome side. But I have quite fond memories. Find more reviews and bookish fun at //www.princessandpen.com Find more reviews and bookish fun at //www.princessandpen.com
Mar 09, 2020 Chantal rated it liked it
A gruesome cautionary tale of two brothers who misbehave in 7 tricks they
are pulling off. Although I admired the rhymes and how they flow nicely. I found the story cringing at times because of animal cruelty. There for it gets 3 points for the drawings and rhymes, not for the story on some parts. This book is in the 1001 Children's Books
You Must Read Before You Grow Up challenge I am doing. This book is in the
1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up challenge I am doing.
Jul 15, 2017 Susan rated it it was ok
I read this in the original German. The rhyme flows nicely, although the language
includes some colloquial German words and was not always clear to me. The story is frightful. The two boys in question really need someone to rein them in, and disaster does strike them at the end. It is somewhat humorous - but only when one begins to identify with the boys and their pranks. It is a children's story - but.... not really. I tried to explain some of the plot to my 9-year old daughter. She just could n It is somewhat humorous - but only when one begins to identify with the boys and their pranks. It is a children's story - but.... not really. I tried to explain some of the plot to my 9-year old daughter. She just could not fathom why the boys
were doing such naughty, mean, and hurtful pranks.
Fantastic !!!
The old ' you sow what you reap ' even if you are children, is what this is all about. A bit gruesome I suppose, but I am a Roald Dahl fan, so right up my alley !
Fantastic !!!
The old ' you sow what you reap ' even if you are children, is what this is all about. A bit gruesome I suppose, but I am a Roald Dahl fan, so right up my alley ! ...more
Jan 12, 2014 Jim Peterson rated it really liked it
(review for learners of German) Like
Struwwelpeter, Max und Moritz is one of the most well-known children’s tales in Germany. It has fun pictures and the verses are actually quite nice. It’s probably a bit easier to read than Struwwelpeter. The pictures will help beginners understand the story better without having to look up every word. That’s an important skill to learn when reading another language: read for the gist and don’t worry about every single word you don’t understand. With that in mi Like Struwwelpeter, Max und Moritz is one of the most well-known children’s tales in Germany. It has fun pictures and the verses are actually quite nice. It’s probably a bit easier to read than Struwwelpeter. The pictures will help beginners understand the story better without having to look up every word. That’s an important skill to learn when reading another language: read for the gist and don’t worry about every single
word you don’t understand. With that in mind, even A2-level (elementary) readers can enjoy it.
A classic cautionary tale about two nasty little boys getting up to all kinds of pranks and their gruesome ending.
I never perceived this as a violent book as a child. It was just one of those stories you read as a kid in
Germany, same as Struwwelpeter.
Good fun, great drawings, very not 'politically correct', but I think children today would still like it.
English version:
//www.childrensbooksonline.org/m... A classic cautionary tale about two nasty little boys getting up to all kinds of pranks and their gruesome ending.
I never
perceived this as a violent book as a child. It was just one of those stories you read as a kid in Germany, same as Struwwelpeter.
Good fun, great drawings, very not 'politically correct', but I think children today would still like it.
English version:
//www.childrensbooksonline.org/m...
...more
Dec 07, 2019 Joyce rated it did not like it
I read this as a child in German and even then I couldn't understand how anyone could be so cruel. These 2 boys are precursors of the NSDAP brown shirts. On the other hand, even though Roal Dahl was a Nazi sympathizer, I do enjoy his children's books which are much less vicious. And Struwwelpeter? Let's not go there.... I read this as a child in German and even then I couldn't understand how anyone could be so cruel. These 2 boys are precursors of the NSDAP brown shirts. On the other hand, even though Roal Dahl was a Nazi sympathizer, I do enjoy his children's books which are much less vicious. And Struwwelpeter? Let's not go there.... ...more
Jun 11, 2019 Klinta rated it liked it
Like many people here, I read this book when I was a kid many, many times. I don't really know why perhaps because of the images? I know for a fact that I didn't like it much back then. I read it now, to see if anything has changed and
no, not really. It is a clever tale with unusual and very (for me) iconic images, but it is about annoying and horrible human beings who kill and torture for fun. I have obviously missed the "black humour" bit all my life. The only thing I'm really happy about in It is a clever tale with unusual and very (for me) iconic images, but it is about annoying and horrible human beings who kill and torture for fun. I have obviously missed the "black humour" bit all my life. The only thing I'm really happy about in regards the characters is that Max and Moritz meet their end quickly enough.
This is definitely different from the children’s stories I’m used to reading! I wouldn’t want to babysit these kids, but they’re entertaining. This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the
publisher.
Sep 17, 2008 Rebecca rated it it was amazing
Am devotedly unilingual so read translation.
Naughty children ground into animal feed. Feasted upon by ducks.
*refuses to heed 'conform or die' message* Am devotedly unilingual so read translation.
Naughty children ground into animal feed. Feasted upon by ducks.
*refuses to heed 'conform or die' message*
...more
Aug 16, 2020 Hakan rated it it was ok
Rhyming and not much politically correct children's book with a horrible ending. Rhyming and not much politically correct children's book with a horrible ending. ...more
OMG! What a story! I do not know what to call these kids - tricksters? Evil-pranksters? There is a thin line between being naughty and evil. What Max and Moritz do is definitely not
naughty - well, it isn't "naughty" when animals die or people get hurt!
There's nothing 'fairy-like' about Max and Moritz! I wouldn't recommend this to the younger ones. OMG! What a story! I do not know what to call these kids - tricksters? Evil-pranksters? There is a thin line between being naughty and evil. What Max and Moritz do is definitely not naughty - well, it isn't "naughty" when animals die or people get hurt!
There's nothing
'fairy-like' about Max and Moritz! I wouldn't recommend this to the younger ones. ...more
As a kid, I found Max and Moritz's antics amusing. Today they'd probably be considered the worst kind of tricksters, pulling pranks on their neighbors who are oblivious to the boy's misdeeds. They take glee in stealing the chickens Widow Palmer is cooking, and delight in almost drowning the tailor. Again by today's standards, their actions would be considered very mean spirited, intended more to harm versus being playful. Yet, I still really enjoyed my re-read. I really liked the rhyming of the As a kid, I found Max and Moritz's antics amusing. Today they'd probably be considered the worst kind of tricksters, pulling pranks on their neighbors who are oblivious to the boy's misdeeds. They take glee in stealing the chickens Widow Palmer is cooking, and delight in almost drowning the tailor. Again by today's standards, their actions would be considered very mean spirited, intended more to harm versus being playful. Yet, I still really enjoyed my re-read. I really liked the rhyming of the English translation and that it was similar to the structure of the original German. It had the same sort of flow and despite a few changes in word use and names, I'd say it stays pretty true to the original. There's an author note at the back explaining the changes that were made. The illustrations by Wilhelm Busch still had the same whimsical quality that I liked when I was younger and I was happy to see that the original German text was included at the back of the book. Although I was a bit rusty with my German, it was still fun to be able to take a crack at it. Overall, the story still resonated with me. I believe the theme of the story was meant to illustrate that crime doesn't pay, especially given the manner in which the boys meet their untimely demise at the end of the book. So be warned that it might be a bit much for some children. ** I received an E-ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review** ...more
One of my books of Classic German Literature that I got for Christmas. It's a series of short poems about the very naughty Max & Moritz who came to a very sticky and final end. This is how it starts: Ach, was muss man oft
von bösen Which losely translated would be: This is how it starts: Ach, was muss man oft von bösen Which losely translated would be: Or something like that.
Kindern hören oder lesen!
Wie zum Beispiel hier von diesen,
Welche Max und Moritz heißen;
Die, anstatt durch weise Lehren
Sich zum Guten zu bekehrren,
Oftmals noch darüber lachten
Und sich heimlich lustig machten.
how often do we have to here or
Kindern hören oder lesen!
Wie zum Beispiel hier von diesen,
Welche Max und Moritz heißen;
Die, anstatt durch weise Lehren
Sich zum Guten zu bekehrren,
Oftmals noch darüber lachten
Und sich heimlich lustig machten.
how often do we have to here or read about naughty children
Like these two, for example, who are
called Max and Moritz
Who, instead of learning to be good boys
Often laughed about it and secretly made fun of things.
Feb 28, 2012 Sandra rated it liked it
A girl I'll be studying with here in Vienna told me I had to read this book (because it's a classic), so I read it in her room yesterday. It was a quick read, with some nice drawings, but.. I can't believe this is a kid's book! It's absolutely macabre and though the rhyme was nice and some of the things that happened were quite smart, I would never give this to my kids to read. I was so shocked when I finished reading this, and my friend just looked at me and said: "I know." A girl I'll be studying with here in Vienna told me I had to read this book (because it's a classic), so I read it in her room yesterday. It was a quick read, with some nice drawings, but.. I can't believe this is a kid's book! It's absolutely macabre and though the rhyme was nice and some of the things that happened were quite smart, I would never give this to my kids to read. I was so shocked when I finished reading this, and my friend just looked at me and said: "I know." ...more
I grew up with the German and English versions. Can't really force my way through the former, but the English remains simultaneously the German bedtime story regimen and a keen insight into the German people. The lovable, disobedient Max und Moritz have several adventures, but with an ending no English-language children's story ever would allow. Well worth a read; think of it the next time you choke on a pretzel. I grew up with the German and English versions. Can't really force my way through the former, but the English remains simultaneously the German bedtime story regimen and a keen insight into the German people. The lovable, disobedient Max und Moritz have several adventures, but with an ending no English-language children's story ever would allow. Well worth a read; think of it the next time you choke on a pretzel. ...more
I read the dual language edition. Original published in 1865. Classic story, well-known in Europe. Didactic in words and plot--the boys get chopped up into tiny pieces by the miller after
they’ve played 7 nasty tricks. I felt the translation used too much freedom to force the rhymes into English.
Still, it was well worth reading.
Aug 25, 2012 Päivi Brink rated it really liked it
I remember reading some of these poems as a child. I was shocked how naughty Max and Moritz were. These are cruel stories, but now they also made me laugh. Have I become more cruel? The illustrations are great.You can find this story with an English translation here: //www.childrensbooksonline.org/m... I remember reading some of these poems as a child. I was shocked how naughty Max and Moritz were. These are cruel stories, but now they also made me laugh. Have I become more cruel? The illustrations are great.You can find this story with an English translation here: //www.childrensbooksonline.org/m... ...more
What do I think? I had so much fun reading this book this summer. I was jet-lagged in Germany and took it (my sister bought the Spanish edition for me at author's hometown early this year), well, there I was, laughing at 3 am or so in such a quiet house, enjoying myself with the rough, nightmarish, hideous "pranks" of these two Max and Moritz, their jokes are so "criminally fun", really. What do I think? I had so much fun reading this book this summer. I was jet-lagged in Germany and took it (my sister bought the Spanish edition for me at author's hometown early this year), well, there I was, laughing at 3 am or so in such a quiet house, enjoying myself with the rough, nightmarish, hideous "pranks" of these two Max and Moritz, their jokes are so "criminally fun", really. ...more
Very cute original German pictures. Translating books is very hard. Translating poetry is very, very hard. The translator did not succeed in making this book an English read. The content is violent and ends in more violence. If this was meant to be funny, that didn't work for me. I do not recommend this book to anybody, except for the artwork. Very cute original German pictures. Translating books is very hard. Translating poetry is very, very hard. The translator did not succeed in making this book an English read. The content is violent and ends in more violence. If this was meant to be funny, that didn't work for me. I do not recommend this book to anybody, except for the artwork. ...more
Apr 26, 2013 Mary rated it really liked it
I have a 1937 version in the old German script. Translated parts of it for my students who thought it was a lot of fun. Max and Moritz play a lot of practical jokes which sometimes have gruesome results. Think original Grimm. Fun to read, but first year students will need assistance with translation. Great as an in-class assignment.
Heinrich Christian Wilhelm Busch was an influential German caricaturist, painter, and poet who is famed
for his satirical picture stories with rhymed texts. After initially studying mechanical engineering and then art in Düsseldorf, Antwerp, and Munich, he turned to drawing caricatures. One of his first picture stories, Max and Moritz (published in 1865), was an immediate success and has achieved t After initially studying mechanical engineering and then art in Düsseldorf, Antwerp, and Munich, he turned to drawing caricatures. One of his first picture stories, Max and Moritz (published in 1865), was an immediate success and has achieved the status of a popular classic and perennial bestseller.
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