/lit/ - Literature

>>15278402
Yes. Joseph and His Brothers.

>>15278402
Read
> Death in Venice
> Buddenbrooks-
> Joseph and his Brothers
> Faust

All kino. Never felt compelled to read magic mountain but hear that's good too if you cAn hack the length

>>15278807
That's also my recommended reading order

He's fantastic

Start with one of his novellas and then Buddenbrooks. Magic Mountain and Joseph are masterpieces but they can be hard to get into if you're new to Mann.

Also probably don't look into how he felt about his son

I remember a German anon had a framed portrait of Thomas Mann hanging from a wall. I wonder if he's still around.

The Magic Mtn is one of my top 3 books.

>>15278944
How did you understand the book?

>>15278833
>Thomas Mann hanging from a wall
You mean hanging like he was executed, or just, like, hanging by a nail stuck into his jacket or something? Either way, that's a bit odd for a portrait.

>>15278944
Why
>>15278807
Thank you.
>>15278827
>Also probably don't look into how he felt about his son
Was he a pedo? I have seen the film adaptation of Death in Venice. It was quite weird.

jew cuck

>>15278986
Very educated opinion, i see

>>15279100
sometimes you can arrive at very simple truths

>>15278807
Solid order.
DIV or Buddenbrooks are both a perfect start.

Joseph and His Brothers is good, but he has a tendency of writing Milquetoast petite-bourgeois trite.
Avoid Mario and the Wizard.

/lit/ would benefit greatly from reading The Dilettante

Haven't read any of his novels but I like Little Herr Friedemann and Tonio Kroger

>>15279535
>>15278807
I'd like to mention Tonio Kröger as a solid novella to start with. It's a good introduction to one of Mann's major topics; the conflict between bourgeoisie society and the artist, which to Mann is both an external and internal conflict. It's also a quick look into the low german merchant sphere which Mann returns to again and again in his works, especially in Buddenbrooks (which is all about that world) and as Hans Castorp's background in MM.

>>15278977
Mann is not a pedo but he was bisexual. Magic mountain is a must read for struggling young men. It is about escapism into a timeless void of fantasy (sounds familiar?). On a higher level it is about the decadence before WW1 and how it abruptly ended. I feel like now is the perfect time for magic mountain considering the state of the world...

It also has one of the best mentor characters in ludovico settembrini. In the beginning you will hate him because he tries to convince the MC to drop his shenenigans (like a parent warning you about the real world). But in the end you realise he was right....

By the way the ending was one of the hardest emotional punches and wake up calls I have yet read in fiction. Will continue with Thomas Mann.

>>15279721
I wish a nosey italian humanist would show up to school me at inopportune moments.

>>15278977
I was somewhat ambivalent until the snow chapter when he hallucinates. The image of the temple and witches inside left a permanent imprint on my imagination. Sorta like a good Georg Trakl poem — I cant explain why it sticks with me but there’s something undefinable below the surface that tickle my consciousness. Hope that makes sense.

>>15279721
I couldn’t agree more. It’s a book that deals with passage of time. Perfect for the quarantine age. I’ve been reading Decameron on and off as well but Mann’s MM seems equally relevant.

How is this?

I've only read Dr Faustus but it destroyed me emotionally

>>15278402
>Is he any good?
One of the best Germany has to offer. He's is an amazing writer.
>What's his best work?
Personally? Buddenbrooks or The Magic Mountain.

>>15279721
>mfw they don't know about his diaries
>>Mann's diary records his attraction to his own 13-year-old son, "Eissi" – Klaus Mann: "Klaus to whom recently I feel very drawn" (22 June). In the background conversations about man-to-man eroticism take place; a long letter is written to Carl Maria Weber on this topic, while the diary reveals: "In love with Klaus during these days" (5 June). "Eissi, who enchants me right now" (11 July). "Delight over Eissi, who in his bath is terribly handsome. Find it very natural that I am in love with my son ... Eissi lay reading in bed with his brown torso naked, which disconcerted me" (25 July). "I heard noise in the boys' room and surprised Eissi completely naked in front of Golo's bed acting foolish. Strong impression of his premasculine, gleaming body. Disquiet" (17 October 1920).

>>15282178
>>mfw they don't know about his diaries
Everyone fucking knows about the diaries. You're about as original as some asshole dipping into a conversation about Wagner only to mention his anti-semitism, then promptly fuck off.

>>15282178
At least he did not act on his instincts, that is commendable.

>>15282272
I was replying to the guy who said Mann was not a pedo, when he clearly had "pedo" (ephebophile) + incentuous tendencies, as shown by the diaries.

>>15282612
Tendency and thoughts are not synonymous, anon.

>>15282612
it was chic back then to be incredibly open about your affections because of psychoanalysis. How many people would admit to being attracted to their sister or daughter etc. if it was not frowned upon? He was no diddler and that is all that matters

>>15279729
I'd rather be schooled by a based marxist jesuit

>>15282272
Or Joyce and his fart letters. There's always some faggot newfag who comes posting those letters as if he's the first one to discover it.

>>15282944
That'd be pretty great too, I admit. I think I'd just like to have a mentor figure in general; someone who takes a personal interest in my bildung and personal development.

>>15282967
One thing is addressing a specific claim, one that clearly contradicts some his literary themes and the "well known" Mann diaries.
It's like stating: "Nobody believes that man did not land on the moon", quoting some of the conspiracy theories to refute the claim and you jumping in "Everyone knows about the Kubrick conspiracies, you newfag".
Then there's another very different thing, i.e., posting a random tidbit that has nothing to do with what's being discussed, with the probable intent of hijacking the thread (/pol/ style) or sharing some stupid trivia with muh friends over at 4chan.
There's a clear difference between the two, but you seem to have been triggered, which might have obfuscated your ability to think.
>some faggot newfag who comes posting those letters as if he's the first one to discover it.
Projecting much, huh?
>newfag
Don't make me laugh.

>>15283003
Jordan Peterson

>>15282944
naphta was a difficult character. Settembrini is right about him, you should only deal with him if you are on his level. Otherwise he will confuse you big time. Dangerous little fella

>>15282967
Joyce's letters are hilarious and convinced me to read him. No regrets.

I'm German and have to admit I am not sure if I should read Mann. Compared to Joyce, Musil and Kafka who are down to earth, he has that awful German bourgeois aura about him.

>>15283093
Aspetti! Un po di ragione, sa!

>>15283091
Mann threads are regularly ruined by shitposters who keep bringing up the diaries to destroy discussion.

>>15283093
A neurotic academic lecturing and selling expensive merch online isn't quite the same.

>>15283129
>he has that awful German bourgeois aura about him.
Mann's work is steeped in irony, mostly directed at that same german bourgeoisie. His first great novel, Buddenbrooks, is all about it; it's both a stellar work, and very approachable (as compared to his later works which can be quite dense). I suggest you give him a fair shot, anon, he's funnier than you'd think.

>>15283183
Io non parlo Italiano.

>>15283196
In any case, they're ruined by dumb shits who can't ignore a troll. They must express themselves!

The worst part is I wasn't even shitposting, as I explained above. I love Mann. I even have a copy of one of Heinrich's books (his brother) titled Professor Unrat.

>>15283293
If you weren't out to shitpost then I apologise, anon. I certainly think a discussion can be had on Mann's diaries and how they relate to his works (like the obvious Death in Venice).

>>15279895
It's his magnum opus.

Bump

I read Buddenbroks back in December. I enjoyed it. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5. I own the rest of his major works already (Joseph, Magic Mountain, Doctor Faustus)
Which one do I read second? Should I just follow publication order?

>>15284467
Should be fine to read them in whichever order you want.

On a different note; was Mann anyone else's gateway to Wagner? I've been very into Wagner the last 6 months and it's all thanks to him; don't think I'd have bothered if Mann hadn't been raving about the operas. I'll have to re-read Buddenbrooks sometime, now knowing how much inspiration Mann drew from the ring cycle, and how he applied the idea of leitmotifs to his literary work.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cea3KSm1NDQ