This was a book that was originally published in 1924. It has since been called one of the most influential books to come out of Germany in the 20th century. In its original German the book is titled is Der Zauerberg, and many who have read The Magic Mountain Thomas Mann have been mystified by the cryptic symbolic messages therein.
This compelling story took a total of twelve years for the author to complete. During this time, he wasn't strictly working on this book, since several important events both historically and in the writer's own personal life occurred in this period of time. His wife's lung problems and her treatment in Switzerland resulted in a two-month long visit that had a large impact on the first chapter of the story.
In the years that he was working on this monumental book, World War I broke out and forced him to postpone his writing. It may have seemed like an obstacle at the time, but the experience of living through those times had a massive impact on Mann's writing. After seeing the results of the major conflict, the author reassessed many of his values and made big changes to his narrative.
This novel is known as a type of bildungsroman. The nature of stories like these is to focus not on the hero or heroine but rather their journey or education itself. This story of an apparently simple young man and his journey of personal growth focuses on the path he takes and the experiences associated with it, some real and some imagined.
One of the most well-used literary devices in this book is irony. Hans Castorp, the main character, is declared as simplistic early on in the story. However, he is soon shown to be not as simplistic as he first appeared. This is a commentary on the complexity of everyone. Reality is often simplified for Hans, ironically framing the complexities of life.
Disease plays a big part in this novel, and has cryptic and layered meaning like almost everything else in the book. The author poised disease in his story so that it could symbolize a symptom of the need for spiritual growth not just of individuals but of society as a whole. His favorite theme of the polar nature of spirit and life and the need to transcend it is central to the story.
Almost anyone who reads this book will have a hard time honestly saying that he or she understood all of the symbolic ideas that are there in the story. One of the biggest challenges for readers of this story is the engaging, almost interactive nature of the narrative. The reader will have to answer certain questions posed by the narrator, and some are more subtle than others.
After almost a century in print, the most thought-provoking critical analysts still differ on some of the midden messages being portrayed in this novel. While the author himself once said that he recommends the people read the book twice, three or four times might be necessary for many. The gratuitous irony, as well as symbolism blended with realism, make this a challenging but deeply meaningful read.
This compelling story took a total of twelve years for the author to complete. During this time, he wasn't strictly working on this book, since several important events both historically and in the writer's own personal life occurred in this period of time. His wife's lung problems and her treatment in Switzerland resulted in a two-month long visit that had a large impact on the first chapter of the story.
In the years that he was working on this monumental book, World War I broke out and forced him to postpone his writing. It may have seemed like an obstacle at the time, but the experience of living through those times had a massive impact on Mann's writing. After seeing the results of the major conflict, the author reassessed many of his values and made big changes to his narrative.
This novel is known as a type of bildungsroman. The nature of stories like these is to focus not on the hero or heroine but rather their journey or education itself. This story of an apparently simple young man and his journey of personal growth focuses on the path he takes and the experiences associated with it, some real and some imagined.
One of the most well-used literary devices in this book is irony. Hans Castorp, the main character, is declared as simplistic early on in the story. However, he is soon shown to be not as simplistic as he first appeared. This is a commentary on the complexity of everyone. Reality is often simplified for Hans, ironically framing the complexities of life.
Disease plays a big part in this novel, and has cryptic and layered meaning like almost everything else in the book. The author poised disease in his story so that it could symbolize a symptom of the need for spiritual growth not just of individuals but of society as a whole. His favorite theme of the polar nature of spirit and life and the need to transcend it is central to the story.
Almost anyone who reads this book will have a hard time honestly saying that he or she understood all of the symbolic ideas that are there in the story. One of the biggest challenges for readers of this story is the engaging, almost interactive nature of the narrative. The reader will have to answer certain questions posed by the narrator, and some are more subtle than others.
After almost a century in print, the most thought-provoking critical analysts still differ on some of the midden messages being portrayed in this novel. While the author himself once said that he recommends the people read the book twice, three or four times might be necessary for many. The gratuitous irony, as well as symbolism blended with realism, make this a challenging but deeply meaningful read.
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