Effi Briest (abridged)

Theodor Fontane (1819 - 1898)
Translated by William A. Cooper (1868 - 1939)

Effi Briest is a classic of Prussian Realism, relatively unknown in the English speaking world, but widely taught in German schools. This tragic tale tells the story of Effi, a young woman from an old and respectable family who, due to a sense of duty, marries Geert von Instetten, a much older Prussian official. The tragedy unfolds as a consequence of Instetten's strict following of his duties in society in response to his wife's indiscretions.

Thomas Mann once wrote that if one's library had to be reduced to six books, Effi Briest should be one of them. (Summary by Margaret )

Genre(s): Published 1800 -1900

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Chapter 1 Margaret Espaillat
00:19:12
Play 02 Chapters 2 and 3 Margaret Espaillat
00:21:46
Play 03 Chapter 4 Margaret Espaillat
00:27:47
Play 04 Chapter 5 Margaret Espaillat
00:18:45
Play 05 Chapter 6 Margaret Espaillat
00:21:37
Play 06 Chapter 7 Margaret Espaillat
00:16:24
Play 07 Chapter 8 Margaret Espaillat
00:14:36
Play 08 Chapter 9 Margaret Espaillat
00:28:10
Play 09 Chapters 10 and 11 Margaret Espaillat
00:24:58
Play 10 Chapter 12 Margaret Espaillat
00:15:14
Play 11 Chapter 13 Margaret Espaillat
00:18:43
Play 12 Chapters 14 and 15 Margaret Espaillat
00:26:51
Play 13 Chapters 16 and 17 Margaret Espaillat
00:21:00
Play 14 Chapters 18-20 Margaret Espaillat
00:28:42
Play 15 Chapter 21 Margaret Espaillat
00:25:29
Play 16 Chapters 22 and 23 Margaret Espaillat
00:20:34
Play 17 Chapters 24 and 25 Margaret Espaillat
00:39:21
Play 18 Chapters 26-28 Margaret Espaillat
00:29:33
Play 19 Chapters 29-31 Margaret Espaillat
00:23:03
Play 20 Chapter 32 Margaret Espaillat
00:31:04
Play 21 Chapters 33 and 34 Margaret Espaillat
00:24:03
Play 22 Chapter 35 Margaret Espaillat
00:19:06
Play 23 Chapter 36 Margaret Espaillat
00:15:09