What the Swallow Sang: A Novel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
What the Swallow Sang: A Novel: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

What the Swallow Sang: A Novel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Spielhagen, Friedrich (1829–1911).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"What the Swallow Sang: A Novel" by Friedrich Spielhagen is a work of fiction written in the late 19th century. The narrative introduces the central character, Gotthold, a man returning to his childhood village after a long absence, evoking memories and emotions tied to his family, his past, and a lost love named Cecilia. The book likely delves into themes of nostalgia, memory, and the complexities of love and familial connections. At the start of the novel, we meet Gotthold as he arrives in a churchyard, deeply reflective about his past and his familial relationships, particularly with his deceased father. This opening scene quickly establishes a melancholic atmosphere as he navigates memories tied to his upbringing, his mother’s grave, and the painful recollections of his childhood. As he contemplates his once-forgotten love for Cecilia and engages in an unexpected encounter with her husband, Carl Brandow, his emotional turmoil becomes evident. The opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Gotthold's internal conflicts and the influences of his upbringing, indicating a narrative rich with emotional depth and character development.
Book and edition facts
- Title: What the Swallow Sang: A Novel
- Author credits: Spielhagen, Friedrich (1829–1911)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: German Literature
- Category: Novels
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


