The Confusions of Young Törless
The Confusions of Young Törless
Book Brief
Beta176
Novel • Fiction
Austrian Military Academy • 1900s
2001
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Confusions of Young Törless, Robert Musil explores the psychological development of a young student named Törless at a military boarding school. Törless grapples with moral dilemmas, power dynamics, and the complexities of human behavior, leading to his personal growth and self-awareness within a rigid institutional environment.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Dark
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
9,725 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Confusions of Young Törless by Robert Musil is praised for its insightful exploration of adolescent psychology and moral ambiguity, framed by a rich prose style. Critics appreciate Musil’s introspective narrative and complex character development. However, some find the pacing slow and the philosophical themes dense. Overall, it is a thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Confusions of Young Törless?
A reader who enjoys The Confusions of Young Törless by Robert Musil likely appreciates psychological novels and existential themes. Fans of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment or Hesse's Demian would find its exploration of moral ambiguity and adolescent introspection captivating.
9,725 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Confusions of Young Törless is notable for being Robert Musil's debut novel, originally published in 1906, and it reflects Musil's own experiences at military boarding school.
The novel is considered an early example of the bildungsroman genre, which explores the psychological and moral growth of its protagonist, a tradition which Musil molds with his modernist approach.
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Musil's work has been influential in the development of psychological and existential literature, with The Confusions of Young Törless often cited as a precursor to the themes explored in 20th-century modernism.
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176
Novel • Fiction
Austrian Military Academy • 1900s
2001
Adult
18+ years
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