Big Read: Effi Briest by Theodor Fontane

Theodor Fontane’s Effi Briest tells the harrowing tale of a young woman of 19th century Prussian country gentry in an unhappy arranged marriage. Her attempt to escape her restrictive life has awful consequences.

Effi Briest has been placed alongside the great 19th century European realist novels with similarly tragic heroines, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Flaubert’s Madame Bovary.

Led by Sabine Purshouse

Discussion points as follows:

1. How does Effi change in the course of the novel?

2. What is your impression of Baron Innstetten, Major Crampas and Effi’s parents?

3. Why are Marietta Tripelli, Roswitha, Dr Giehübler and Dr Rummschüttel important for Effi?

4. What is your view on the different responses to the discovery of the letters?

5. Who or what is to blame for Effi’s tragic fate?

Big Read is BRLSI’s monthly book club and is free to attend for BRLSI members! Non-members are very welcome for only £3 – please register your place below so we know how many people will be coming.