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defacto7

(13,695 posts)
Fri Jan 17, 2025, 01:15 PM 13 hrs ago

The Magic Mountain

I just read one of the most incredible books I've ever experienced. I think this is a time in our history some may benefit from it. It's humanity stripped to it's basic parts, parts that have followed us since civilization began. It's a masterpiece, a Nobel prize winner and thought to be one of the top ten most influential works of the twentieth century.

Beginning around 1900, it's the story of young man who visited his cousin at a sanatorium in the Alps for three weeks but ended up staying seven years. It has a subtle humor that's dark at times but other times outright hilarious. It's philosophy, history, quackery, political, becomes surreal and quite prophetic. Originally written in German, the English grammar and punctuation can be a bit daunting but not a big problem. Just beware of the omnipotent narrator. You can trip on that guy.

Thomas Mann began writing this before WWI, took a break during the war then finished it in 1924, the effect of which makes it a signpost for our time.

The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann

Take a deep breath and dive in. For me, the effort was fun, poignant and beyond insightful.

D7

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The Magic Mountain (Original Post) defacto7 13 hrs ago OP
I just finished it too! bleedingulcers 13 hrs ago #1
It it out there a bit. defacto7 13 hrs ago #4
I read it many years ago in college, loved it. Ocelot II 13 hrs ago #2
Thanks for the recommendation sorcrow 13 hrs ago #3
Let us know what you think. defacto7 12 hrs ago #5

bleedingulcers

(62 posts)
1. I just finished it too!
Fri Jan 17, 2025, 01:18 PM
13 hrs ago

And while I loved the narrative, the story line and actual things that HAPPENED, I found that some of the conversations between/among characters were insanely long and difficult to follow.

I'm glad you had a better experience!

defacto7

(13,695 posts)
4. It it out there a bit.
Fri Jan 17, 2025, 01:47 PM
13 hrs ago

I think the lives and stories of these human beings are real for their time and their spirit timeless. The philosophical arguments are striking, historic, and, as the writer meant for them to be, humorous and sometimes contradictory. The arguments between Settembrini and Naphta are crazy. I thought it was fun watching our protagonist referee between them while his cousin stood mute at the side dreaming of becoming a soldier. But yeah, sometimes you have to dig a bit. I loved that.

sorcrow

(548 posts)
3. Thanks for the recommendation
Fri Jan 17, 2025, 01:27 PM
13 hrs ago

I read some of his stuff a long time ago
I'll track this one down. I need a good read.

Regards,
Sorghum Crow

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