Thomas Mann – Selected Classics

Embark on a literary journey through the profound works of the esteemed German novelist Thomas Mann. This anthology, a tribute to Mann's literary genius and winner of the 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature, offers a captivating exploration of the human psyche, artistically woven into epic novels and thought-provoking novellas.
Table of Contents:
"Buddenbrooks" – Witness the intricacies of a wealthy North German merchant family's decline across four generations, providing a poignant portrayal of life and customs among the Hanseatic bourgeoisie from 1835 to 1877.
"Royal Highness" – Set around the turn of the 20th century in the fictional German state of Grimmburg, this narrative unfolds against a backdrop of economic decline and high public debt. Minister Trümmerhauff, Dr. Krippenreuther, and Knobelsdorff strive to navigate a landscape characterized by unprofitable railroads, exhausted mines, and the limitations of the healing Ditlinden spring.
"Tonio Kröger" – Explore the complex identity of Tonio, the son of a North German merchant and a "Southern" mother with artistic talents. Inheriting qualities from both sides, Tonio grapples with feelings of superiority over the bourgeois people around him while harboring envy for their innocent vitality. As Tonio matures into a renowned writer, his internal conflict intensifies.
"Death in Venice" – Journey with an ennobled writer as he visits Venice, experiencing liberation, elevation, and an increasing obsession ignited by the sight of a beautiful Polish boy named Tadzio. The novella delves into themes of desire, aesthetics, and the transformative power of beauty.
"Bashan and I" – Immerse yourself in a heartfelt story of companionship between a man and his dog, Bashan. The narrative unfolds through their shared adventures on walks through meadows and woods in Bavaria, providing a poignant exploration of the bond between man and his loyal canine companion.

Thomas Mann (1875-1955) was a German novelist, short story writer, social critic, philanthropist, essayist, and the 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. His highly symbolic and ironic epic novels and novellas are noted for their insight into the psychology of the artist and the intellectual. His analysis and critique of the European and German soul used modernized versions of German and Biblical stories, as well as the ideas of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Nietzsche and Arthur Schopenhauer.