wesketchum 's review for:

The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann

3.0

challenging funny reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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What were you hoping for?

Mostly to have whatever precursor to better understand Tokarczuk's Empusium. But also to get a sense of great German literature? 

First impressions?

Wishing that the main character would not just end up reflecting everything I cringe about in myself.

What is it about?

Movement of time (or lack thereof). Health (or lack thereof). Love and honor and formality (or lack thereof). Some politics and philosophy (contradictions and all). And mountains and snow and removing yourself from a world that will definitely(?) kill you.

Most memorable moment?

The excursion into the snow: attempting to make the way back and end up moving an hour in a circle; to fall asleep for what feels like hours but is really just minutes.

Good physical presence?

Yeah ... definitely a hefty book, but this version was readable/carryable.

Best thing about it?

Its more than this, but I appreciated the sense of humor and satire. There is a love for some of the characters, but the novel doesn't shy away from their ridiculousness.

Would you recommend it to your friends?

Probably not. It's a bit long, and I'm not sure completely work it (maybe in German it's better?). But I wouldn't dissuade someone from going for it.

Describe in three words.

Dialectical time-romance. 

What do you think it made of you as a reader?

Generally I think it was kind to the read, but there were times in the middle of arguments or meditations where I couldn't tell if it was expecting me to follow along, or really just start to glaze over. (I think, actually, there's moments where it does want me to glaze over, but maybe not in all the places I did...)

Any sidetracks it took you down?

Well, my listening to the Revolutions podcast on a lot of European history has been useful. But also, looking up sanatoriums and if they actually were helpful. (Also, visiting Davos a while ago was a pleasant pre-sidetrack.)

And ... did it make you cry? Or laugh out loud?

No ... though did chuckle at some of the ridiculous pomposity.

If you could change one thing about the book, what would it be?

Perhaps a little more structure and character development? I'm ok with a book where largely nothing happens, but it comes across as more a vehicle for a number ideas rather than a story that's fully infused with them.

Marks out of 5?

3. Was leaning 2 for a while, but once we got out of the love obsession and into the Settembrini vs. Naptha debates and the section on snow, it salvaged itself.

Would you read it again?
No, though I'm sure I'll want to read a little bit more about the book. And something shorter from Mann? I'd probably try.