This was an interesting story - saying it's an age-gap romance would be putting it mildly. Goethe is decades older than the woman who has stolen his heart - Ulrike. They make quite the interesting couple, and a rather interesting story spawns from their courtship. The story and characters overall were quite entertaining, but at times it moves quite slowly, which can make it difficult to keep pushing through when it feels like you've stalled. I did enjoy reading this, and seeing all the difficulties that had to be navigated in the 19th century. A sweet story that those who enjoy historical literary romances will enjoy.

This might well send you, like me, off to do more research on Goethe. I was familiar with his work (in general terms) but not with his life. An interesting read.

I wasn’t convinced by this account of the 73-year-old Goethe and his infatuation with 19-year-old Ulrike von Levetzow and his pursuit of her at Marienbad. The romance, such as it is, is never going to go well for him, even in an age when large age gaps were more common than they are today, but the whole concept of this old man in love with such a young girl sat uncomfortably with me, however couched about his feelings are by exaggerated romanticism and so-called “pure” emotions. The rise and fall of this last affair is chronicled with some empathy, and the book is quite good at describing ageing and physical decline, but overall I found the book too self-indulgently wordy with overblown vocabulary and heightened emotion, and it meanders aimlessly through the poet’s thoughts and desires. Overall it failed to move or even interest me very much.

The author did a great job of writing about a period in our history that I didn't know too much about. I found myself wanting to learn more after reading this book and spent time researching online. Definitely recommend this one!

This book tells the story of Goethes later life and his relationship with the much younger Ulrike. This book is well written, detailed, evocative and romantic. The relationship between the two main characters is largely cerebral and their intellectual and philosophical conversations are fascinating to read.
I enjoyed this very much.

The lens of the novel zooms in on Goethe's feelings for Ulrike von Levetzow, creating a meditation full of emotion about the last love of the great author. Goethe was in his 70s at the time, while Ulrike was an 18 year old girl. This is not only a meditation on denied love and unmet love expectations, but also on old age. As Goethe describes the rivalry for Ulrike's hand with a much younger jewelry merchant, he notes that the merchant is the future while he could promise her only a widow's pension. Goethe trips and falls, catches a strong cold that makes some newspapers announce his death, colors his white hair. The man in love is an old man. The interactions Goethe has with Ulrike are mostly intellectual in nature, the author capturing witticism and intellectual discussions. The pleasure he arises in Ulrike are intellectual in nature, with Ulrike admitting in one of her last letters how much her conversations with Goethe have trained in facing the rival suitor. At the heart of this beautiful story is the artistic creation born from an unfulfilled love, the beautiful Elegy of Marienbad.

The great polymath of the German literary renaissance famous for writing 'Faust' is created here as an infatuated old man when at 5 o'clock on July 11 1823 beside the Kreuz Spring in Marienbad he sets eyes on the young Ulrike. Much of the novel springs from Goethe's many letters, poems and music which at this time of life towards the end of his career became obsessed with the beautiful young daughter of family friends.
"If he, 74, were to marry her, 19 then she, 19 would be the stepmother of his son August 34, and his stepdaughter Ottilie, 27".
Despite Goethe's philosophical debates (often with himself) on true love he feels overwhelmed and every fibre of him physically and emotionally is entrapped with Ulrike.
There is detailed description of court and nobility life around the grand balls and spas of Europe where Goethe was well known and it had to be said previously respected. Now there is gossipy letters, rumours and diary entries by others observing his silliness.Goethe's friend Dr Rehbein gets engaged to Catherine vin Gravenegg (also much younger than him) but this seems accepted and Goethe has flights of fancy and is often jealous when separated from Ulrike. Reading up on Goethe I find he was often attracted to unsuitable women and his artistic nature often pushed aside any sense in his choices. On meeting Ulrike he immediately states " I can see happiness now." It is also apparent facing the last years of mortality he looks to regaining his youth and even his sexual virality.
Although slightly intrigued by the story which eventually formed the basis for Goethe's epic poem 'The Marienbad Elegy' which he sends to Ulrike you do feel the relationship is doomed. However Goethe didn't let it ruin his life and continued writing until his death aged 82.
This is a translation and seems well done but I did find the detail a little plodding and needed more dialogue. Easy to say when you are using real life characters in a fictional setting I know but it might have added more beyond the main two people. I didn't warm to Ulrike......unlike Goethe!

This story focuses on Goethe’s life in his late years, when he meets a young woman who becomes an inspiration for his novel.

Kreuz Spring in Marienband, Germany, 1823: Goethe recognizes Ulrike von Levetzow on a promenade with her two sisters and mother. “She had discovered him when he had not yet discovered her.” And now he gets dizzy when he sees her after not seeing her for a year.

She is the inspiration for his new novel. He is 74 and she is 19.

When he sees her next time, he gives her hints of his feelings. He would even “gladly have sunk to his knees but knew he might have trouble getting up again.”

Since then, they are almost inseparable, strolling together, conversing deeply, him presenting them as a couple, not tolerating intruders for very long.

Now, he looks so vibrant and strong. “With such effect, how could he help but worship their cause!”

By the time he gets courage to ask Frau von Levetzow for Ulrike’s hand, they decide to leave the spa town.

Then he is pushed to listen to Count Wallenski, who “tells him terrible things about the suffering of the Polish people in the hope that the world-famous poet would at once lift his world-renowned voice so that international aid could ease or even end the sufferings of the Poles.”

Told with talented language and richly imagined story of a famous writer whose feelings run deep, first with love, then with broken heart.

However, at some parts the message, even though literary, is too wordy, not moving the story forward. The first part is fairly engaging, but the literary language did not carry it through to the end for me. I wanted there to be more to the plot. The language wasn’t enough for me.

A Man in Love is a historical fiction novel that pulls at your emotions. It is well written and the characters are well developed.

The majority of my knowledge of Goethe is of his early adult years, so I was intrigued to read a novelisation of his later life. I found the story and characters well written and compelling, and I was definitely rooting for Goethe throughout, even though it seemed clear it was a romance doomed to failure. Once or twice some word choices niggled, as they did not seem period appropriate, but that is a minor gripe and didn't adversely affect my enjoyment of the book overall. I would recommend this work for fans of historical fiction, especially those who appreciate May-December romances. It will also appeal to anyone interested in Goethe and his writings.