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33 pages 1 hour read

The Magic Mountain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1924

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Book Brief

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Thomas Mann

The Magic Mountain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1924
Book Details
Pages

720

Format

Novel • Fiction

Period
Setting

Swiss Alps • 1910s

Publication Year

1924

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1350L

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Super Short Summary

In The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, Hans Castorp, a young German engineer, visits his cousin at a Swiss sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. During what was meant to be a three-week stay, Hans becomes immersed in the sanatorium's atmosphere and its eclectic mix of patients and philosophies. Over seven years, he engages in deep philosophical discussions and personal explorations before returning to the flatlands, joining World War I. The novel contains themes of illness and death.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.3

52,150 ratings

77%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain is lauded for its philosophical depth and exploration of time, illness, and human existence. Readers appreciate its richly developed characters and intellectual rigor. However, its dense prose and slow pacing can be challenging. Ultimately, it's considered a rewarding read for those who enjoy deep, contemplative literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Magic Mountain ?

A reader who enjoys The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann is likely one who appreciates deep philosophical exploration, complex characters, and nuanced social critique. Comparable to fans of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov and Proust's In Search of Lost Time, this reader values literary masterpieces that challenge and inspire reflection.

4.3

52,150 ratings

77%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Character List

Hans Castorp

A young and impressionable protagonist whose extended visit to a Swiss sanatorium becomes a journey of intellectual and personal discovery amidst a diverse group of patients. His character embodies the bildungsroman theme as he navigates the complexities of early 20th-century European thought.

Hans's cousin and a fellow patient at the sanatorium, whose disciplined and dutiful nature contrasts with the sanatorium's leisurely atmosphere. He serves as a stabilizing force for Hans due to their shared background.

A charismatic and enigmatic patient at the sanatorium who captivates Hans, symbolizing both allure and independence. Her frequent departures and returns highlight her complex relationship with the sanatorium environment.

An Italian humanist and a patient at the sanatorium who becomes one of Hans's intellectual mentors. His literary and cultural critiques provide insight into various philosophical and political ideas.

A Jesuit intellectual whose radical ideas and debates with Settembrini challenge Hans's perspectives. He represents a counterpoint to Settembrini's liberal views with his own more extreme ideologies.

A charismatic and wealthy Dutchman whose larger-than-life presence at the sanatorium adds to the narrative's exploration of ideas and sensation. Peeperkorn's interactions emphasize the themes of passion and sensory experience.

Book Details
Pages

720

Format

Novel • Fiction

Period
Setting

Swiss Alps • 1910s

Publication Year

1924

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1350L

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