Release date is 2019-11-13

E-text prepared by Juhani Kärkkäinen and Tapio Riikonen

"Tuhlaajapoika" by Paul Heyse is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in the 17th century, it delves into the life of young Andreas, a rebellious and reckless son of a wealthy widow, Helena Amthor, who faces the consequences of his actions and the emotional turmoil they bring to his family, particularly his mother and younger sister, Lisabeth. The opening of the novel introduces us to Helena Amthor, a widow navigating the challenges of raising her two children alone after her husband's death. While she is overly indulgent with her eldest son, Andreas, he grows increasingly unruly, and his mother’s nurturing proves insufficient as he spirals into a life of vice and gambling. In an attempt to curb his behavior, she agrees to send him to live with a wealthy relative in Lausanne, which ultimately leads to his disappearance from the family’s life. As Andreas ventures into a world of excess, his mother dedicates herself to nurturing her daughter, Lisabeth, illustrating the contrasting paths of the siblings. The chapter sets up a poignant family dynamic filled with love, loss, and a desire for redemption, leaving readers intrigued to see how these relationships will unfold. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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