The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben): A Play in Five Acts: Play Guide and Free Edition
The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben): A Play in Five Acts: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben): A Play in Five Acts is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Sudermann, Hermann (1857–1928). The listed translation credits are Wharton, Edith (1862–1937).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben): A Play in Five Acts" by Hermann Sudermann is a dramatic work written in the late 19th century. The play revolves around Count Michael von Kellinghausen and his wife, Beata, as they navigate the complexities of personal and political relationships amidst an election campaign. The narrative explores themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the intricacies of love and duty. At the start of the play, we are introduced to the drawing-room of Count Kellinghausen's house in Berlin, where various characters—politicians, family members, and friends—gather to discuss the recent elections. Tensions rise as Beata expresses her concern about her husband's political ambitions and the implications for their family. The interplay between personal affection and public duty is highlighted, particularly in the conversations surrounding the ramifications of an election where Michael has withdrawn to support Barón Richard von Völkerlingk. The opening sets the stage for the emotional and political conflicts that will unfold throughout the narrative.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben): A Play in Five Acts
- Author credits: Sudermann, Hermann (1857–1928)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Wharton, Edith (1862–1937)
Catalogue subjects
- German drama -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: German Literature
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
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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.


