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cinzia's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sorry, at 300 pages I folded. I cannot. Life is too short.
Do I deny its cultural significance, philosophical underpinnings and its Babylonian allegorical commentary on linguistic dispersal? No, of course not: but I learned none of that from the novel.
I learned all of this from reading academic articles about the novel (my favourite being the beautiful article written by Philip Sicker). Whilst I can tell I'm in a vocal minority, this novel was far too painfully clogged with small and colourless details and lexicon to engage me. There wasn't the poetic weaving of narrative which I love so much from Broch or Hesse. It's a personal opinion, but I found the narrative too plain and claustrophobic, cluttered with benign details that exhausted me before I finally clawed my way to a significant discourse or reflection; and even then, whilst they were interesting and eloquently argued, they weren't THAT enchanting that I felt they were worth the struggle. Perhaps I've been too spoiled by Melville, Broch, Calvino and Hesse, but Mann seriously disappointed me. I was expecting a tome of enchanting writing and stimulating philosophy, but I was confronted with a brutally sluggish narrative which reminded me of running three hours on a treadmill without anything to listen to.
I didn't want to remain ignorant to what the novel was alluding to (socially, politically and culturally), so I chose instead to read a collection of academic articles about the novel which I very much enjoyed learning from. These academics are far more intelligent than I will ever be and did all the hard work for me in analysing the significance of this novel which I, in my exhausted mindset, would not have had the patience or intelligent to decipher myself. From what I learned from them, the allegorical and metaphoric weight of this novel is immense and stunning - but I didn't get any of that from my reading experience, which is why I abandoned it and determined myself as an unsuitable reader. I shall read other Mann novels in the future and hope for greener pastures.
Do I deny its cultural significance, philosophical underpinnings and its Babylonian allegorical commentary on linguistic dispersal? No, of course not: but I learned none of that from the novel.
I learned all of this from reading academic articles about the novel (my favourite being the beautiful article written by Philip Sicker). Whilst I can tell I'm in a vocal minority, this novel was far too painfully clogged with small and colourless details and lexicon to engage me. There wasn't the poetic weaving of narrative which I love so much from Broch or Hesse. It's a personal opinion, but I found the narrative too plain and claustrophobic, cluttered with benign details that exhausted me before I finally clawed my way to a significant discourse or reflection; and even then, whilst they were interesting and eloquently argued, they weren't THAT enchanting that I felt they were worth the struggle. Perhaps I've been too spoiled by Melville, Broch, Calvino and Hesse, but Mann seriously disappointed me. I was expecting a tome of enchanting writing and stimulating philosophy, but I was confronted with a brutally sluggish narrative which reminded me of running three hours on a treadmill without anything to listen to.
I didn't want to remain ignorant to what the novel was alluding to (socially, politically and culturally), so I chose instead to read a collection of academic articles about the novel which I very much enjoyed learning from. These academics are far more intelligent than I will ever be and did all the hard work for me in analysing the significance of this novel which I, in my exhausted mindset, would not have had the patience or intelligent to decipher myself. From what I learned from them, the allegorical and metaphoric weight of this novel is immense and stunning - but I didn't get any of that from my reading experience, which is why I abandoned it and determined myself as an unsuitable reader. I shall read other Mann novels in the future and hope for greener pastures.
leifq's review against another edition
5.0
I felt, as I was reading it and even more-so now, that TMM should be required reading for any global citizen whether they care to participate in politics or not. The ideas it presents are timeless and universal without a contextual requirement though they act as a skeleton key - able to be plugged in to any societal unrest. I found TMM to be like performing Shavasana at the conclusion of a Yoga class - soothing and meditative to read. It perfectly paralleled current politics of populism(bunkering) and humanism(acceptance, caring, non-violence) without taking too much of a side (Naphta is such a poisonous intellect that it is hard to side with him, but it does not feel as if Mann is putting him up as an example of “wrong”). I loved TMM and feel changed in my thinking after having read it
asuph's review against another edition
5.0
All this while a friend had been suggesting me Mann because I liked Hesse so much, and I kept on delaying. Finally I picked this one up. And boy oh boy. What a phenomenal book. How does one review it? Well for the starter, if you make a modern reader read it, and ask him to date it, without knowing anything about it, I'm sure many will struggle. This is quintessentially modern. I'm sure I'm going to go back to it again soon. And still won't be able to review it. But would I recommend it? Hell yes.
spjuver's review against another edition
3.0
I first tried reading this a couple of years back but stopped about half-way through, during the conversation between Hans and Mme. Chauchat since the French got to be too much for me among everything else. There was much that I could not make sense of and I decided it was better to leave the book for a while. When I picked it up this time it went a little better and in itself I thank it for being to able to show me that I have atleast grown somewhat during these years so that I can understand the discussions and aims of this novel a bit better. This time it felt more like I realized how torn Hans was between the opposites in Settembrini and Naptha, and I really got the feeling that this is a "Catcher In The Rye" for smart people (not to sound demeaning or anything), in the sense that it probes deeper and is so broad in its spectrum.
Placet Experiri, it pleases to experiment, and I enjoyed the read even though it was tough at times. I think I might take Mann up on his suggestion to read it a second time. Perhaps this time in the Swedish translation, to see if that might make any difference.
Placet Experiri, it pleases to experiment, and I enjoyed the read even though it was tough at times. I think I might take Mann up on his suggestion to read it a second time. Perhaps this time in the Swedish translation, to see if that might make any difference.
skypager21's review against another edition
5.0
It's difficult to summarize a book of this length and density. It was at times very exhilarating and at other times very strenuous. Thomas Mann referred to the novel as an "orchestra", because there are many different ideas and themes that come to play rather than a driving plot. It has also been referred to as an "ironic" novel, because yes the protagonist is rather ridiculously simple but also paradoxically curious.
After having read a book of Mann's short stories (including the well known Death in Venice) I am eager to read more.
lnatal's review against another edition
5.0
The Magic Mountain (German: Der Zauberberg) is a novel by Thomas Mann, first published in German in November 1924. It is widely considered to be one of the most influential works of 20th century German literature.
Mann started writing what was to become The Magic Mountain in 1912. It began as a much shorter narrative which revisited in a comic manner aspects of Death in Venice, a novella that he was preparing for publication. The newer work reflected his experiences and impressions during a period when his wife, who was suffering from a lung complaint, resided at Dr. Friedrich Jessen's Waldsanatorium in Davos, Switzerland for several months. In May and June 1912, Mann visited her and became acquainted with the team of doctors and patients in this cosmopolitan institution. According to Mann, in the afterword that was later included in the English translation of his novel, this stay inspired his opening chapter ("Arrival").
Mann started writing what was to become The Magic Mountain in 1912. It began as a much shorter narrative which revisited in a comic manner aspects of Death in Venice, a novella that he was preparing for publication. The newer work reflected his experiences and impressions during a period when his wife, who was suffering from a lung complaint, resided at Dr. Friedrich Jessen's Waldsanatorium in Davos, Switzerland for several months. In May and June 1912, Mann visited her and became acquainted with the team of doctors and patients in this cosmopolitan institution. According to Mann, in the afterword that was later included in the English translation of his novel, this stay inspired his opening chapter ("Arrival").
brianeco's review against another edition
850 pages. I'm exhausted from such an abundance of ideas strewn throughout this erudite novel where my mind struggled to keep pace with many of the conversations between the genius-level characters. However, the general themes struck deeply through Mann's view on time, death, the world before the eruption of WWI, mental health, etc. I'd be lying if I admitted being able to follow all the ideas presented, but I often still found a great deal of peace through Mann's wonderous writing and the protagonist's stagnant 7-year journey up at Magic Mountain.
“It is remarkable how a man cannot summarize his thoughts in even the most general sort of way without betraying himself completely, without putting his whole self into it, quite unawares, presenting as if in allegory the basic themes and problems of his life.”
“Isn't it grand, isn't it good, that language has only one word for everything we associate with love - from utter sanctity to the most fleshly lust? The result is perfect clarity in ambiguity, for love cannot be disembodied even in its most sanctified forms, nor is it without sanctity even at its most fleshly. Love is always simply itself, both as a subtle affirmation of life and as the highest passion; love is our sympathy with organic life.”
“It is remarkable how a man cannot summarize his thoughts in even the most general sort of way without betraying himself completely, without putting his whole self into it, quite unawares, presenting as if in allegory the basic themes and problems of his life.”
“Isn't it grand, isn't it good, that language has only one word for everything we associate with love - from utter sanctity to the most fleshly lust? The result is perfect clarity in ambiguity, for love cannot be disembodied even in its most sanctified forms, nor is it without sanctity even at its most fleshly. Love is always simply itself, both as a subtle affirmation of life and as the highest passion; love is our sympathy with organic life.”
brunolopes's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite books from all time , intact i reread it like five times and learned something every and each one of those times.
ssgcedits's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I learned more reading this book than in three years of Philosophy at school. Brilliant weaving of plot and reflection, very well picked setting, a perfect caption of the time and an ending that leaves the reader with even more questions and reflection. Written the style of traditional philosophical text, following a young pupil and his masters. Genius and absolutely worth the effort of reading 800+ pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Confinement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicidal thoughts
eliodelio's review against another edition
i can't believe i finished this!!! truly it felt insurmountable at times (why does thoman mann have to go on and on describing things like anatomy books and musical pieces for pages on end) but i did it and i felt quite touched at the end. this is too huge to rate, i'll just say i grew quite attached to some of the characters and it wasn't the worst classic i've read, although it was probably the hardest. mann himself advises readers to read the book twice but i think i'll put it away for a few years at least :))) + to make things more fun for myself i went through the book looking for evidence of hans castorp's homosexuality so if anyone needs any quotes on that u know who to ask
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