Reviews

Buddenbrooks: Verfall einer Familie, by Thomas Mann

anabey's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

jplatzer's review against another edition

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5.0

A saga following the Buddenbrooks family from the 1830s - 1880s. Shows their decline and fall from an upper middle class family living in Germany. One of my favorite books of all time.

megzee2798's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sbbarnes's review against another edition

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4.0

Read in german. If you want to read a long book by Thomas Mann, choose this one over the Zauberberg.

hermanbraneneriksson's review against another edition

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challenging reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mcgreig's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

3.0

blearywitch's review against another edition

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5.0

Birthday book 6/13 for 2017; "family" theme.

It is the chronicle of life of three generations of Buddenbrooks, and it grips because it is so realistic. All the characters I loved deteriorated, and the characters I disliked remained unchanged.

Frau Iwersen appeared over a few short pages but remained in the back of my mind throughout Thomas Buddenbrook's life because any further interaction with her would also determine a quality in Tom. I found her very interesting also because her features were detailed and stamped accurately as Malaysian. I wonder what inspired Mr. Mann to create Iwersen in that image.

Absolutely beautiful prose, and fascinatingly descriptive - it was heavy on the heart but also difficult to put aside. It will push for reflections on self, life, people, and fate so be prepared to be brought a bit down while immersed in it's beauty.

Pg 64 what's good for the goose is good for the gender? I thought it's gander.

melissa_m's review against another edition

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reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

kellsig's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

chang's review against another edition

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emotional reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0