Scan barcode
paola_mobileread's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book as a teenager, and loved it. Rereading it various decades after, it was definitely less of a page turner. I guess I might have identified myself with flighty Toni, but with the eyes of today she comes across as an almost static character.
The novel centres on two generations: first Jean Buddenbrook, and then his three children and their families. The family women (the unmarried girls, then women of a lesser family branch, as well as Toni, Gerda and Mme Buddenbrook nee Koenig) are those who stay on throughout the book, and there is a sense in which when they are the only ones left, the decline of the family is complete.
How the decline comes about is perhaps symbolic: Thomas, the solid central character which is the reference point for the whole family, the deus ex machina that will fix any problem for good or for bad, at some point breaks down. Is he too alone? He cannot get the support he wants from his enigmatic wife Gerda; he cannot get the hope in the future from his little son Hanno, so sensitive and obviously unsuited for (an duniterest in) taking the reins of the family firm; he has to worry about his fool, dissipate brother Christian, and he can get only some form of emotional support from his sister Tony, who tries so hard to help the family and fails so miserably every time (through her own marriages as well as that of her daughter), with husbands and sons in law that at each turn take the family name more into disrepute.
And when Thomas breaks down, there is nothing left. The family is the firm, the good name of the firm brings status in society and keeps the good name of the family. Old money can be eccentric (and there are various examples in the book, new money must work hard, but even that is not enough.
The novel centres on two generations: first Jean Buddenbrook, and then his three children and their families. The family women (the unmarried girls, then women of a lesser family branch, as well as Toni, Gerda and Mme Buddenbrook nee Koenig) are those who stay on throughout the book, and there is a sense in which when they are the only ones left, the decline of the family is complete.
How the decline comes about is perhaps symbolic: Thomas, the solid central character which is the reference point for the whole family, the deus ex machina that will fix any problem for good or for bad, at some point breaks down. Is he too alone? He cannot get the support he wants from his enigmatic wife Gerda; he cannot get the hope in the future from his little son Hanno, so sensitive and obviously unsuited for (an duniterest in) taking the reins of the family firm; he has to worry about his fool, dissipate brother Christian, and he can get only some form of emotional support from his sister Tony, who tries so hard to help the family and fails so miserably every time (through her own marriages as well as that of her daughter), with husbands and sons in law that at each turn take the family name more into disrepute.
And when Thomas breaks down, there is nothing left. The family is the firm, the good name of the firm brings status in society and keeps the good name of the family. Old money can be eccentric (and there are various examples in the book, new money must work hard, but even that is not enough.
isaexcel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
2.0
Faulkner who himself won a noble prize writing novels about decking families loved this story of a declining family - even to point of keeping a signed copy of it. But this is not as fun as Faulkner. Prose is much easier to read but there is very little beauty spots to the prose scattered over a long epic. In fact, for first 30 percent or so, it wasn't much different from the history buddenbrooks keep of their family
It gets better but never enough - not at all comparable to Faulkner. The few interesting chapters are only slightly intestine. The characters are so everyday that the stories of their lives could never have made interesting novels and none of the events that happen are interesting. Mann touches a lot of themes but it is always a touch-and-leave. And there is this stupid obsession about health problems among characters that is common to all three books I have read from author.
To be honest, the fault could be mine. I might just lack that taste bud which makes Mann's books delicious to people.
It gets better but never enough - not at all comparable to Faulkner. The few interesting chapters are only slightly intestine. The characters are so everyday that the stories of their lives could never have made interesting novels and none of the events that happen are interesting. Mann touches a lot of themes but it is always a touch-and-leave. And there is this stupid obsession about health problems among characters that is common to all three books I have read from author.
To be honest, the fault could be mine. I might just lack that taste bud which makes Mann's books delicious to people.
verw0rren's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mierenetter's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ragnatela's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it in this book.
Whatever fear or pain you're experiencing you're not alone, the Buddenbrooks are facing it, too.
(May 2024)
Whatever fear or pain you're experiencing you're not alone, the Buddenbrooks are facing it, too.
(May 2024)
halynahalkina's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0