About this book
August von Kotzebue's *Lover's Vows* is a groundbreaking German drama that challenges the moral conventions of its era through a tale of love, legitimacy, and redemption. Elizabeth Inchbald's celebrated 1798 adaptation brought this provocative play to English audiences, where it became an immediate sensation at Covent Garden—running for forty-two nights and establishing itself as the theater's most successful production of that season.
Set in Germany, this five-act dramatic work explores the consequences of passion and social prejudice when a young woman discovers her illegitimate birth and must navigate questions of honor, charity, and forgiveness. Inchbald carefully adapted Kotzebue's original German text for English sensibilities, yet retained its emotional complexity and moral ambiguity. The play gained further literary fame centuries later when Jane Austen featured it prominently in *Mansfield Park*, cementing its place in the English literary canon.
With its progressive themes about class and legitimacy, *Lover's Vows* sparked both controversy and defense during its era—some praised its moral clarity, while others criticized its "levelling" politics. The dialogue brims with passionate declarations and philosophical musings that resonate across centuries.
This audiobook is perfect for literature enthusiasts, Jane Austen fans, and anyone fascinated by Romantic-era drama that dared to question social norms and explore the transformative power of love and forgiveness.
