"Tonio Kroger" is my favorite too, though I've read "Magic Mtn.," "Death in Venice," and even -- gasp -- "Buddenbrooks." But T.K. is a "kunstlerroman," and I find the Germans do those better than anyone. In fact, does anyone else even have such a term?
At the end of The Magic Mountain Hans is on his way to World War I. The implication is that, having survived TB, he will not survive the war to end war. J.B. Priestley had this to say of Mann's great novel: "The poets of this age, from Valéry onwards, who contemptuously dismissed the novel as a mere ribbon of narrative, immature stuff for immature minds, should have been compelled to read The Magic Mountain."
"Tonio Kroger" is my favorite too, though I've read "Magic Mtn.," "Death in Venice," and even -- gasp -- "Buddenbrooks." But T.K. is a "kunstlerroman," and I find the Germans do those better than anyone. In fact, does anyone else even have such a term?
ReplyDeleteTonio Kroger c'est moi.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of French, there's so much of it in Magic Mountain, untranslated, I had to quit halfway. Whatever happened to poor Hans Castorp.
ReplyDeleteWell, he had TB, so what do you figure? There's only so much a million glasses of milk can do!
ReplyDeleteAt the end of The Magic Mountain Hans is on his way to World War I. The implication is that, having survived TB, he will not survive the war to end war. J.B. Priestley had this to say of Mann's great novel: "The poets of this age, from Valéry onwards, who contemptuously dismissed the novel as a mere ribbon of narrative, immature stuff for immature minds, should have been compelled to read The Magic Mountain."
ReplyDelete