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stinekristin's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Terminal illness
dianagangan's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant. Pure genius. This book has everything - philosophy, psychology, politics, ethics, literature geniality and it's wonderful how it uses the power of example and allegories to predict Europe's alienation through 20th century. Must remind myself to read more German literature and more Thomas Mann.
richardms1967's review against another edition
5.0
I'm still navigating my way through this magnificent book. It's so good I got two copies, one with the H. Lowe Porter translation, one by John Woods. The prose is so delightful that I'm going be dumbstruck when I finish it. To that end, I've bought 'Joseph and his Brothers' and 'Buddenbrooks' just so I can continue reading Mann.
It's the type of book where you just want to luxuriate in the writing, the ideas and the experience of the reading.
The different translations are fascinating too. There's the original, slightly stilted by today's standards and the new, which seems to flow a little more. Either one is excellent though. Whichever you prefer is probably down to personal taste.
Unconditionally recommended.
It's the type of book where you just want to luxuriate in the writing, the ideas and the experience of the reading.
The different translations are fascinating too. There's the original, slightly stilted by today's standards and the new, which seems to flow a little more. Either one is excellent though. Whichever you prefer is probably down to personal taste.
Unconditionally recommended.
electrozombie's review against another edition
dark
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
eske_a's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
crystal_reading's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a lot of work and I am not sure if I am glad I struggled through it or not. The final 200 pages has more action/conflict that the rest of the book though so it was easier going.
Lots of philosophical issues in the book. Mann kept hitting the theme of time.
Lots of philosophical issues in the book. Mann kept hitting the theme of time.
aceface's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0