Well, 'Nathan the Wise' by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a famous German novel. It deals with themes of religious tolerance in a very engaging way. Additionally, 'The Magic Mountain' by Thomas Mann is set in a sanatorium in the Swiss Alps and explores various philosophical and social ideas through the experiences of the characters.
Another great one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines crime investigation with elements of mystery and thriller. The main character, Lisbeth Salander, is a very strong and interesting female lead. The novel explores various dark secrets and crimes within a Swedish - but with a strong influence from the Scandinavian and German crime writing traditions - context.
One famous German romance novel is 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It's a story that deeply explores the emotions of love and despair.
A great German war novel is 'The Good Soldier Švejk' by Jaroslav Hašek. Although the author was Czech, the novel was originally written in German. It satirizes the military and the absurdity of war. It follows the adventures of Švejk, a simple - minded Czech soldier in the Austro - Hungarian army during World War I. It's a humorous yet poignant take on war.
Hermann Hesse is another great one. His 'Siddhartha' is very famous. It tells the story of a man's spiritual journey, with beautiful and profound descriptions.
One famous German horror story is 'The Sandman' by E. T. A. Hoffmann. It involves a creepy character, the Sandman, who is said to steal the eyes of children who don't go to sleep. Another is 'Faust' which has elements of horror in its exploration of a man making a pact with the devil. And then there's 'The Rats in the Walls' by H. P. Lovecraft which, although written by an American, is set in Germany and has a very spooky atmosphere with the idea of rats and the secrets hidden within the walls.
Sure. 'The Little Town Where Time Stood Still' is a great German short story. It often explores the concept of time and how a small town's isolation can lead to a different perception of it. Then there is 'The Hunger Artist' by Kafka. This story delves into themes of self - denial, art, and the lack of understanding from the public. 'The Judgement' by Kafka as well, which is full of complex family relationships and psychological depth.
One of the most famous is 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It's a story about a young man's unrequited love and his emotional turmoil.
The works of Sebastian Fitzek are quite popular in German crime fiction. For example, 'Passenger 23' has a complex and thrilling plot full of unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
There is also 'The Glass Bead Game' by Hermann Hesse. Although it's not a typical detective story in the purest sense, it has elements of mystery and intellectual exploration similar to detective fiction. The main character's journey to understand the complex game has some detective - like qualities as he uncovers the secrets and rules of this elaborate system.
Another is the story of the Gänsemagd (Goose Girl). In the story, a princess was turned into a goose girl by an evil witch. After her death, her spirit is said to haunt the places where she used to tend the geese. Her ghost is sometimes seen as a sad figure, still carrying out her old tasks in a spectral form. This story has been passed down through generations and is part of Germany's rich folklore heritage.