33 pages 1 hour read

Thomas Mann

The Magic Mountain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1924

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, Hans Castorp, a young German engineer, visits his cousin at a Swiss sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. During what was meant to be a three-week stay, Hans becomes immersed in the sanatorium's atmosphere and its eclectic mix of patients and philosophies. Over seven years, he engages in deep philosophical discussions and personal explorations before returning to the flatlands, joining World War I. The novel contains themes of illness and death.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain is lauded for its philosophical depth and exploration of time, illness, and human existence. Readers appreciate its richly developed characters and intellectual rigor. However, its dense prose and slow pacing can be challenging. Ultimately, it's considered a rewarding read for those who enjoy deep, contemplative literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Magic Mountain ?

A reader who enjoys The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann is likely one who appreciates deep philosophical exploration, complex characters, and nuanced social critique. Comparable to fans of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov and Proust's In Search of Lost Time, this reader values literary masterpieces that challenge and inspire reflection.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1350L

Book Details

Period

Modernism

Topics

History: World

Philosophy

Genre

Philosophy

Classic Fiction