Novel
Their Pavel
Das Gemeindekind
Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach · 1887
Opening lines
Im Oktober 1860 begann in der Landeshauptstadt B. die Schlußverhandlung im Prozeß des Ziegelschlägers Martin Holub und seines Weibes Barbara Holub.
In October 1860 the final hearing began in the provincial capital B. in the trial of the brickmaker Martin Holub and his wife Barbara Holub.
Translation by Erostrate
Text quoted from zeno.org
Synopsis
The father, a drunkard, is hanged for the murder of the village priest; the mother, whom he tried to accuse, is sentenced to ten years in prison. Of the two children, little Milada pleases the baroness of the castle, who has her brought up at the convent in the neighbouring town; the boy, Pavel, remains the responsibility of the Moravian parish, which discharges it only reluctantly. The village expects him to turn out badly.
Context
The title appears in the author's diary as early as 1881; the novel appeared in 1887 in Berlin's Deutsche Rundschau, then the same year in two volumes from the Paetel brothers, and was at once a great success. Ebner-Eschenbach raises the question of education and environment, and allows a part to the individual's will, without settling it by a thesis. The text of the book remained almost that of the review: the author, having moved on to other work, left later corrections to the publisher's readers.
Who it is for
Originally two volumes, easy to read. It is worth knowing that the narrative opens on a crime and a conviction and spares nothing of the village's brutality.
Prizes and reception
Regarded as its author's masterpiece, the novel was a very great success from the moment it appeared.
Sources for this page 11
The pages consulted to check this page.