Faust: A Tragedy in Two Parts

A fresh new translation of Faust, the greatest work by Germany's greatest writer, brings us the immediacy, power and passion of Goethe in modern language. Part One: The Faustian Bargain and Gretchen's Tragedy: Here is the iconic tale of Dr. Faust, a scholar who makes a pact with the devil, Mephistopheles, in his desperate quest for knowledge, power, and worldly pleasures—in exchange for his soul. Part Two: This symbolical, allegorical, experimental part is often overlooked as it is a challenge to read; yet Wayne's way conveys the energy and eccentricities of the original without extra obfuscation. Like certain Biblical verses, there are some unexpected word sequences, some thorny twists and turns. But each syllable is measured, hand-picked, important, creating a dramatic poem which resonates for readers today much as it did in the early 1800s when Goethe first wrote it. Poet, playwright, novelist, memoirist, and aphorist, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a multifaceted genius, the equivalent of Dante and Shakespeare. He put all he had into his version of Faust, the man who sold his soul to the devil for worldly fame and riches. It is a fable for today and every day. Prof. Thomas Wayne is uncannily adept at conveying the vigor, the emotional charge, and the soul-searing impact of the drama. Thomas Wayne, a highly-regarded literature professor, lights up readers with his insightful, high-charge renderings of works that so many of us would have missed without his guidance. Read more