Classics · Literary
The Sorrows of Young Werther
Told through letters, this novel follows a sensitive young man who falls hopelessly in love with a woman already promised to another, with ruinous emotional consequences.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1774
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 144
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like short, intense classics about unrequited love and feeling.
Skip this if you find suicide a difficult subject to read about.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about The Sorrows of Young Werther
- What is The Sorrows of Young Werther about?
- Told through letters, this novel follows a sensitive young man who falls hopelessly in love with a woman already promised to another, with ruinous emotional consequences.
- Who should read The Sorrows of Young Werther?
- Read it if you like short, intense classics about unrequited love and feeling. Skip it if you find suicide a difficult subject to read about.
- How long and how fast is The Sorrows of Young Werther?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 144 pages, first published in 1774.
- Does The Sorrows of Young Werther have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Suicide.
- Can I borrow The Sorrows of Young Werther for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Sorrows of Young Werther; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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