The Freedom of Emma Herwegh is the third novel by award-winning German journalist and author, Dirk Kurbjuweit to be translated into English from the German by Imogen Taylor. In her late seventies, and virtually penniless in Paris, Emma Herwegh, widow of revolutionary poet, Georg Herwegh, is describing an episode in her life to a young novelist and playwright named for Benjamin Franklin.

In 1842, when she is twenty-five and already in love with his words, Emma Siegmund invites Georg to her family home in Berlin. He has never met a woman so politically engaged. Despite being the daughter of a silk merchant, part of Berlin’s aristocracy, her upbringing has somehow produced an intellectual woman full of questions and criticism, one so passionate about freedom for the downtrodden, she has no qualms about being on the front line, wielding a weapon, if it means being part of a crowd with a higher purpose.

Interspersed with Emma’s narrative are parts of the story told from Georg’s perspective that cover the very early stages of their relationship. He discovers a woman with whom he can share opinions and ideals. At one stage, having proposed, Georg writes to her “Don’t love only the poet in me; though he feels strong and courageous enough to conquer the world, he may fall short of your expectations. Love me so much that you will be satisfied even if I fall short of your dreams.” He does (fall short), and she does (love him despite it all).

But at a time when there is action on the revolution front, Emma is thoroughly frustrated that Georg seems to have forsaken his inspiring poetry to study crustaceans in relation to history. She enlists others to fire him up, but her frustration doesn’t end there: she puts up posters, tries to insert herself into the male conversations by smoking cigars and discussing politics, she buys a set of pistols, cuts her hair short, wears pantaloons, and rides out to scout for one of the German Legion’s leaders, all for less acknowledgement that she hopes.

But Emma’s story for Benjamin centres on the Herzen Affair. Georg’s liaison with Natalie, the wife of his good friend, Alexander Herzen, is not his first extra-marital affair, but it’s so intense that Emma, determined not to lose him, takes extreme measures that include befriending Natalie and facilitating their correspondence. Benjamin now asks why she became Georg’s slave, and she replies “What do you suppose a woman had to do, if she wanted to achieve anything in politics?”

Even though she bears him four children, it’s pretty clear from several incidents that Emma is not a woman suited to raising children, able to freely abandon them, mostly into the care of others, when the passion for political action overtakes her. To Benjamin, she now bemoans their lack of contact.

While familiarity with 19th Century European historical events and prominent figures isn’t essential, it would likely enhance the enjoyment of this novel and merit it with a higher rating. Fascinating historical fiction based on real 19th Century figures.
This unbiased review is from a print copy provided by Text Publishing.