Liebe ist ewig

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78125

Title

Liebe ist ewig

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in early 20th-century Berlin, this novel follows Jutta Reimers, a talented young artist navigating the complexities of family duty, societal expectations, and forbidden love. As her brother falls ill and her family dynamics shift, Jutta confronts the seductive dangers of the city and the intense, spiritual turmoil of her unrequited passion for the devout Martin Weßleben.

Summary up to 500 words

Wilhelm von Polenz's *Liebe ist ewig* (Love is Eternal) presents a poignant exploration of youth, art, and faith in turn-of-the-century Germany, centering on the life of Jutta Reimers. A gifted painter, Jutta's world is upended when her brother Kurt falls seriously ill. Forced to care for him, she endures his tyrannical moods and sacrifices her artistic pursuits during a grueling journey to the sea and the Alps. Upon Kurt's death, the family faces financial strain and social scrutiny, particularly regarding his mixed-race wife, whom Jutta's father despises. Back in Berlin, Jutta immerses herself in the art world, finding solace in the studio of the painter Weischach. Here, she cultivates a double life: a dutiful, somewhat naive student at home and a celebrated muse in the artistic sphere. Her innocence is challenged by the predatory advances of her cousin Luitpold Habelmayer, whose insinuating behavior forces her to mature rapidly. Simultaneously, she experiences a profound spiritual crisis through her relationship with Martin Weßleben, a deeply religious brother of her pastor father. Martin's love for Jutta is consumed by guilt and fear, as he believes his faith and her Catholic upbringing make them incompatible. The novel contrasts the rigid, hypocritical piety of the family with the vibrant, often corrupting allure of the city. Through Jutta's eyes, the reader witnesses the tension between traditional values and modern freedom. As Jutta prepares for her debut in high society, she grapples with the realization of her own desirability and the weight of responsibility. The story culminates in a meditation on the nature of love, whether it be the destructive passion of the city or the self-sacrificing, unfulfilled devotion of the clergyman, questioning whether true love can survive the barriers of class, religion, and social convention. The narrative also delves into the complexities of the Weßleben family, highlighting the internal conflicts between faith and modernity, and the struggle of individuals like Martin, who finds himself torn between his religious vows and his overwhelming, forbidden feelings for Jutta.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction