About this book
Ludwig Anzengruber's Der G'wissenswurm is a delightful Austrian peasant comedy that brings rural life to vivid, humorous life through witty dialogue and genuine human conflict. This three-act Bauernkomödie follows the wealthy farmer Grillhofer and his household of servants, exploring themes of conscience, ambition, and the complications of rural society with sharp comedic timing and surprisingly tender moments.
Originally premiered at Vienna's Theater an der Wien in 1874, Anzengruber's play captures the spirit of Alpine village culture with authentic dialect and folk charm. The story unfolds in Grillhofer's prosperous farmhouse, where personal tensions and moral dilemmas simmer beneath the surface of everyday agricultural life. Through encounters with family members, servants, and neighboring farmers, the characters navigate love, duty, and the wrestling match between selfishness and conscience that gives the play its evocative title.
Anzengruber masterfully blends comedy with deeper social commentary, creating characters that feel both entertaining and genuinely human. The inclusion of folk songs and traditional Austrian sensibility adds authenticity and warmth to this classic theatrical work.
This audiobook is perfect for listeners interested in 19th-century European theater, Austrian literature, and comedies rooted in real human experience. Whether you're drawn to period pieces, folk traditions, or simply excellent dramatic writing, Der G'wissenswurm offers an engaging window into a vanished world of rural charm and timeless emotional truths.
