Trials and Tribulations by Theodor Fontane

A portrait of quiet provincial life in 19th-century Prussia, this novel follows Frau Jenny Treibel, a status-conscious matron who becomes entangled in the ambitions and affections of her son and a clever young woman of lower class. When the younger generation challenges social norms and expectations, subtle tensions and hypocrisies begin to surface. The plot focuses on romantic maneuvering and the ironic gap between ideals and reality. Fontane gently critiques bourgeois pretensions with wit and restraint. It’s a nuanced tale of love, class, and social theatre.