[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.