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bp307's review against another edition
I made it a long way. I'd just rather be reading something else. I'm okay if that reflects poorly on me. I can't meander any further down the line with Mr. Mann, and he'll be fine without me.
notasilkycat's review against another edition
4.5
It felt like I myself spent 7 years up there, in mountains. What a journey it was. Not easy and comfortable one but the most enlightening experience indeed.
outcolder's review against another edition
5.0
Everybody is dying, but some are dying faster than others. Way up the altitude in Davos, it’s a gang of bizarre bourgeoisie dying faster, through the eyes of the simple Hans Castorp, an orphan and no stranger to death. There is lots of intellectual riffing, about time, about progress, about humanism and about being human. There’s a lot of pre-antibiotics treatment of pulmonary infections, some of it quite gruesome. There’s an ill-fated love affair, there’s danger in the woods, there’s music, duels, seances, but most of all, there’s laughs. This mountain is funny.
booksvoices's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
savaging's review against another edition
5.0
I came to this book with my eyes already rolling. One of these high-brow tomes that people like to 'have read' more than they actually enjoy reading. 850+ small-print pages where nothing happens. Who convinced me to put this on my reading list?
And yet, and yet. After a month with this book I found myself in love.
Let me concede that all of these critiques are true:
-The 'plot' is completely limp. It feels more like some kind of Cannery Row format except with less interesting hijinks.
-There are way too many arguments between intellectual blowhards.
-In all its 854 pages, the book doesn't pass the Bechdel test.
But also this is true:
-I was so moved by this book.
-Even a century on, Mann remains a friendly and clear-eyed companion for readers.
-Hans Castorp, the protagonist, is weirdly lovable, despite it all. His confused ideas and general curiosity are far more compelling than anything the intellectuals around him espouse.
-It's a comedy! I laughed out loud!
-It's also endlessly eery. A good going-crazy-in-quarantine read.
-The ending made me shudder and almost weep, to feel this gentle narrative suddenly wrenched away into trench warfare.
Would I actively recommend this book to anyone? No - how could I? But if you're the sort of masochist who already enjoys reading The Classics, then just know that there really is something here for you.
And yet, and yet. After a month with this book I found myself in love.
Let me concede that all of these critiques are true:
-The 'plot' is completely limp. It feels more like some kind of Cannery Row format except with less interesting hijinks.
-There are way too many arguments between intellectual blowhards.
-In all its 854 pages, the book doesn't pass the Bechdel test.
But also this is true:
-I was so moved by this book.
-Even a century on, Mann remains a friendly and clear-eyed companion for readers.
-Hans Castorp, the protagonist, is weirdly lovable, despite it all. His confused ideas and general curiosity are far more compelling than anything the intellectuals around him espouse.
-It's a comedy! I laughed out loud!
-It's also endlessly eery. A good going-crazy-in-quarantine read.
-The ending made me shudder and almost weep, to feel this gentle narrative suddenly wrenched away into trench warfare.
Would I actively recommend this book to anyone? No - how could I? But if you're the sort of masochist who already enjoys reading The Classics, then just know that there really is something here for you.
gijshuppertz's review against another edition
4.0
De Toverberg (Der Zauberberg) van Thomas Mann. Een modernere roman uit 1924. Na het gelezen te hebben ben ik overweldigd van de kennis waarover Thomas Mann beschikte en zijn poëtische schrijfstijl. Het boek was soms lastiger om door te komen, maar de prachtige filosofische uiteenzettingen van de tijdgeest waarin hij leefde maakt het meer dan waard! Zoals Mann zelf benoemde zal ik om het boek echt te begrijpen, het nogmaals moeten lezen, maar voor nu laat ik het rusten en hoop ik jullie te kunnen informeren over het boek met de volgende twee video's (een algemeen review en een analyse van het hoofdstuk "Sneeuw")! Ik hoop dat het bevalt.
https://youtu.be/pVZJrgCWpc4
https://youtu.be/WIPKF2Sj_C0
https://youtu.be/pVZJrgCWpc4
https://youtu.be/WIPKF2Sj_C0
evetoi's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
desertmichelle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
What can I possibly say? It's beautiful. I'd put this high up on my list of favorite classics.
zioale's review against another edition
3.0
Per quanto mi fossi armato di pazienza, passata la prima metà del libro l'ho trovato veramente lento.