Doctor Faustus
Thomas Mann
1947
Around 535 pages
This is our last Thomas Mann, at least in this lifetime. And by that I mean they snuck him in even more entries on future editions of the List. So for now, this is Mann's parting shot to us. Thanks for being as boring as possible on your way out, you big creep.
Adrian Leverkuhn is our protagonist, a character so hellbent on becoming a renowned musical genius that he contracts syphilis on purpose and bargains his soul in exchange for artistic inspiration. He's insufferable, Mann is insufferable, and my favorite character was the Mephistophelean demon.
This novel has many layers, and on its most basic level is relatable as a concept. What author hasn't thought about gambling with their soul after a particularly bad bout of writer's block? In a broader historical context, Adrian is a perfect metaphor for Germany at the time. Obsessive and reverential over the past, with a ruthless ambition that is ultimately most destructive to itself.
But I'm not a classical music person, so nearly every allusion was lost on me. I think Mann is more invested in impressing his readers with his intellect than moving along the story. And he's really standing on the shoulders of giants with this one, as he has the bare bones of his story from the Faust legend already prepared.
Auf wiedersehen, weirdo.
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
Mann read chapters to friends to test the effect of the text.
UP NEXT: Disobedience by Alberto Moravia
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