Lotte in Weimar: The Beloved Returns by Thomas Mann. Short summary

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In Weimar, the arrival of Charlotte Kästner, haunted by the fame of the protagonist from Goethe’s novel, Lotte, becomes known. Constant visitors wish to see the heroine and do not let her rest.

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Charlotte Kästner arrives in Weimar in the morning by mail carriage. Accompanying her are her daughter and her maid. The characters stay at the Elephant Inn. Charlotte Kästner was a venerable court counselor.

From a young age she was haunted by the fame of the protagonist of the famous novel, Lotte. The work itself, whose author was Goethe, was called «The Sorrows of Young Werther».

In Weimar, the arrival of Lotte becomes known. The locals do not allow the travelers to catch their breath after the long road. One of the enthusiastic admirers of Goethe’s talent meets Charlotte, and she is harassed by an Irish artist who paints portraits of celebrities.

More and more visitors arrive at the hotel, wanting to see Lotte. Goethe has left an indelible mark on the lives of these people, and it has not always been a happy one, especially for Lotte.