Reviews

A parade of reductive dichotomies. The "disease" of artistry that cannot be understood by anyone but the "ill" is a total joke and, while Mann takes the mickey out of many of his protagonists, he doesn't stand on the right side of history consistently enough to be anything but insufferable. The title story is naturally the highlight and most of the rest is offensive juvenilia. His descriptions of music (sometimes, the complete act of an opera) are so overwrought and factually uninformed that I felt embarrassed for him, especially considering that I am the target audience of big, long stories about Wagner and the like. Tonio Kröger is another highlight, displaying a subversion of some of these problems in addition to an evocative sense of alienation (instead of an infuriatingly cringy one).

Lots of typos in this edition including "long," in the place of a dash on page 177. Compare with pg 244. What was this, verbally dictated?

maidcc's review

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3.0

Una obra maestra de la literatura contemporánea pero que no recomendaría a todos. Solo a aquellos que se vean "capaces de enfrentarse" con la pluma elaborada e intelectual de Mann. Se nota que se está delante de un clásico y además contiene grandes reflexiones que valen mucho la pena.

irisvrp's review against another edition

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2.0

It’s not you, book. It’s me. I swear.

otterspond's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

br0kenglass's review against another edition

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dark reflective slow-paced

3.5

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