Have you read Thomas Mann?

[livi]

I am curious. Have so far not read anything by Herr Mann. He did receive the Nobel Prize however, so I thought I should give it a try. Perhaps start with Der Zauberberg (The Magic Mountain).

Any of you read the man (ho ho )?

[aways]

I started reading the Magic Mountain about 25 yrs ago... got about 1/2 way through... not sure why I stopped because I seem to recall that it was somewhat interesting... may try again if I ever get a chance...

[Crowbob]

The Magic Mountain is not an easy read. Even Herr Mann himself advised one to withold any critique until after having read it twice. Once was hard enough for me. I got the impression he was mocking me for reading it in the first place. Or something like that (like I said I only read it once).

[Dottore]

Yes. We read most of Mann back in German Lit. many years ago. I also re-read The Magic Mountain about ten years ago on a ski vacation when that was one of the very few books in the chalet.

He writes extremely well, but it is a dated, slightly pedantic and long-winded style that really hasn't aged well. Like watching an Ingmar Bergman film today. It is certainly not a plot-driven book.

I would put it this way: if you have a lot of time on your hands, and no other books, The Magic Mountain will be a very satisfying read.

[livi]

Thank you all! Thats the kind of information I was looking for.

All in all, its perhaps wise to look for bedtime literature elsewhere. I usually have little patients with long winding descriptions, but I do enjoy the language in older texts. As I understand he is also fond of irony, but perhaps not of the kind I am familiar with and very much enjoy.

[livi]

I wonder if there would have been more replies if I asked for J.K.Rowling, Dan Brown or Stephen King..

[aigel]

I have read him and never finished any of his books. Dottore is spot on.

George

[livi]

Thanks, George.

Seems you guys have saved me a lot of time, then!

I think I will just go with P.G. Wodehouse. Good old British ironic humor.

[rfloz]

There is a time in your life when you think philosophy can answer the questions you have about life. That is the time to read Mann.

I read Magic Mountain at such a time and enjoyed it. I have no desire to read it again.

[dienstuhr]

Wodehouse is one of my favourites. Laugh-out-loud funny and makes you feel smarter for getting the jokes.

d.

[charlesbahn]

A better choice might be Hermann Hesse, IMHO.

[livi]

I have read most books by Hesse, Charles. How does Mann compare to him?

[Dottore]

Hesse is romantic idealist who generally appeals to a much younger crowd than Mann.

Hesse is great for young people just starting to grapple with the great contradictions and issues that life poses. His writing is far freer, and more immediate and "delicious" than that of Mann. Far more light and engaging. It has something of the renegade about it.

Mann writes very formally, and is bit pedantic and tedious. It's hard to imagine Mann ever having a real belly laugh.

If Mann is like Ingmar Bergman—then Hesse is more like Eric Rohmer or even Truffaut.

[livi]

Thanks Dottore! Good comparison!

[charlesbahn]

Yes, Hesse is short and easy to read, Mann is laborious. I'm 60 now and still enjoy reading Hesse so I'm not sure he is just for the young. I find that every time I read one his works I come away with something a little different as I get older. Fortunately they are short so they are easy to go back to again and again (unlike Mann). Funny how the prism of time has had an affect on how I read his works. They are worth a second (or third) look through older eyes, in my opinion.

[livi]

Thats good to know, Charles. It was 20 years since I read Hesse.

[Dottore]

Well it's rare to have a couple of Hesse fans in the room! I thought you might find this a treat.

My father carried on a lengthy correspondence with Hesse, and I have an accordion file full of letters, signed photos, manuscripts and even some unpublished poetry. The photo shows a small sample. I have been in touch with various archives who are dead keen to have this material, but just haven't been able to decide where it should go in the end.

[jyl]

Which Hesse books would you recommend for my 15 y/o daughter who loves to read? If any?

[charlesbahn]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Well it's rare to have a couple of Hesse fans in the room! I thought you might find this a treat.

My father carried on a lengthy correspondence with Hesse, and I have an accordion file full of letters, signed photos, manuscripts and even some unpublished poetry. The photo shows a small sample. I have been in touch with various archives who are dead keen to have this material, but just haven't been able to where it should go in the end.

Wow! That is amazing. I can't even imagine owning such things. I would want it to be where others could enjoy and study the archive- a University Rare Book Room ?

[charlesbahn]

Originally Posted by jyl

Which Hesse books would you recommend for my 15 y/o daughter who loves to read? If any?

Narcissus and Goldmund