Money does Not Buy Happiness by Hans Fallada

 Money does Not Buy Happiness by Hans Fallada


In Romanian – Banii Nu Fac Doua Parale

 

There is a challenge – the writer of this work is acclaimed and rather well known.

But what I heard this morning and enjoyed is translated in Romanian along the lines of Money do Not Buy Happiness…

The problem is I could not find any title under the name of Hans Fallada that would even remotely resemble the Romanian adaptation.

After trying in vain to find the original title, I am resigned to just add a new book with the Romanian heading.

I enjoyed it and this makes the effort worth it.

The message of the play is meaningful and the reader (or listener) will be able to learn from the tale of the young couple at the center of plot.

Max and Karla are announced that they have inherited an immense fortune and that sounds great, unless you have read positive psychology.

Studies have shown that people have a base level of happiness and they tend to return to it after fortunate and traumatizing events.

In other words, if you win the lottery, chances are you will be happier for a few months and then return to the level you experienced before the win.

Daniel Gilbert, in Stumbling Upon Happiness explains how we adapt to the events that we think will make us happy and to those that we assume that will keep us down.

Along the same lines, you can read about this in The Myths of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky.

Returning to our couple, with the inheritance, they have received a letter from the dead uncle, who explains in amusing terms:

-          The inheritance will present you with many problems…your friends will be upset, people will chase you for your money, and employees will steal and so on…

Indeed, there are many challenges and stumbling blocks which need to be turned into stepping stones.

One friend is asking for money necessary for experiments- he wants to use water in microscopes which will become affordable for everyone. But the tests fail.

There is an issue regarding tax, for it seems that a large fortune means a huge tax bill, which rich people try to avoid.

When they arrive at the castle, the servants offer some other humorous remarks:

-          Sir, when I am working I am called Hans and when I am off duty, you may call me Mr. Stein

-          I looked for your black tie outfit…

-          I do not have one and what is that noise?

-          They announce that dinner is served…

Soon, the money is spent on gadgets and things. A new sports car is acquired and called “Satan”.

 Max is falling prey to new rich vices, even if not all of them can be associated with every nouveau rich.

He starts visiting bars and getting drunk. Then he meets a younger woman, who is the daughter of a nearby former aristocrat.

The feud between the dead uncle and the aristocrat has lead the latter into financial straits, made worse by a reckless son.

Tensions grow between Hans and Karla and the former is getting somewhat mixed up with the young neighbor.

Hans is exiled to a small part of the castle, with control of the estate submitted to Karla, who has a generous plan.

She wants to build houses for the poor, who would have control over them, but not without some complications.

There are some more funny moments, one of which takes place when the neighbor comes to convince Hans to divorce and marry his daughter.

I liked the adaptation, which has a poignant message

Money does not buy happiness

Albeit studies show that poverty, homelessness cannot be associated with happiness.

After one has an income of $ 2,000- $ 5,000 per month (figures vary according to region, purchasing power parity and so on) more money do not translate into significant increases in happiness.   

 

 

You can listen to this online at:

http://e-povesti.ro/povesti_audio/hanz_palata-banii_nu_fac_nici_doua_parale

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