Author does a take-off on Goethe's famous work. Set (and written) in GDR days, and the story line includes Communist Party-era frustrations and jokes. Somewhat uses the epistolary method (a la Goethe's Werther), though with cassette tapes.
Protagonist at first seems an annoying rebel-without-a-cause type, but turns out to be delightfully self-aware and an attractive character. The hopeless love interest is handled just fine - she plus husband did track the original story quite a bit - Charlotte is a nice character here (kindergarten teacher), the husband more wooden than in Goethe's version.
The plot didn't track the original story as much as I had expected, which was a plus.
[Minor item: protagonist liked joking/punning/offering up aphorisms with his buddy Willi - including "a loaf always has two ends" - reminded of Pete Kirsch humor in 1970s Iowa (among his sayings - he would solemnly intone "everything has an end" if a serious subject was being discussed; then the punch line: "but the sausage has two ends.")]
Recommended by Martine Lanners; I'd recommend it as well.
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